DRDO successfully tests 'Pralay' quasi-ballistic missile off the Odisha coast – user evaluation trial

5 November 2026 · English Defence

⬇ Download this article as free PDF

Topics: Defence · 5 November 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the indigenous 'Pralay' quasi-ballistic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast at about 11:10 am on Thursday, 5 Nov 2026, as a user evaluation trial. Data from range instruments of the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, confirmed that all objectives were met. It was developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs; Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) is the development-cum-production partner. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the test; induction into the armed forces is said to be imminent.

Key facts

Test	5 Nov 2026, about 11:10 am – Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha; user evaluation trial
Type	Surface-to-surface, quasi-ballistic; solid propellant; manoeuvres in flight
Range	About 500 km; multiple warhead types
Developer	Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad + other DRDO labs; BDL – development-cum-production partner
Tracking	ITR Chandipur instruments – all objectives met
Earlier tests	Dec 2021 (maiden tests); July 2025 (two back-to-back tests); 31 Dec 2025 (salvo of two from one launcher)

Background

• Quasi-ballistic missile: it flies a lower path than a pure ballistic missile and can manoeuvre in flight, making interception by air defences harder. Pralay has modern guidance and navigation for precision strikes.
• Export-control regimes: India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, the Wassenaar Arrangement in 2017 and the Australia Group in 2018. India is still not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). The MTCR restricts transfer of missiles above 300 km / 500 kg.
• History: the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP, 1983) – Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, Nag. Prithvi (surface-to-surface) was the first missile developed under it. Astra is DRDO's beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
• Set-up: DRDO – under the Ministry of Defence, HQ New Delhi; formed in 1958 by merging the Army's Technical Development Establishments (TDEs) and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). RCI Hyderabad is the key lab for missile guidance systems and avionics.

Tamil Nadu link: the test island bears the name of Rameswaram-born 'Missile Man' Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) is at Avadi, Chennai.

Source: ANI, UNI, The Tribune, WION, 5 Nov 2026 (MoD statement); DRDO website; News On AIR (July and Dec 2025 tests); Ministry of External Affairs (MTCR, Wassenaar, Australia Group)

Join our UPSC classroom or online batch: UPSC coaching in Coimbatore · Fees · Call 99941 46662.

TNPSC Achievers