---
title: "Agni: India's Nuclear-Capable Missiles | Model Diplomat"
description: "Agni is India's family of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, crucial for its nuclear deterrent strategy and developed by DRDO since 1983."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/agni"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Agni is India's family of indigenously developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missiles built by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
- What is the difference between Agni-V and a cruise missile like BrahMos?
- What is MIRV technology and why is Mission Divyastra significant?
- How does Agni fit into India's nuclear triad?
- Under which programme and agency was Agni developed?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Agni is India's family of indigenously developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missiles built by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

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## Research Agni like a delegate

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## Timeline

1. 22 May 1989

   The first Agni technology demonstrator was flight-tested on from the Interim Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha (now the Dr.

2. 19 April 2012

   Agni-IV extends to roughly 4,000 km, while Agni-V is India's first intercontinental-range missile, a three-stage solid-fuelled system exceeding 5,000 km, fir…

3. 11 March 2024

   A landmark development was Mission Divyastra on , the first flight test of Agni-V equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle) tec…

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Example

On 11 March 2024 the DRDO conducted Mission Divyastra, the first flight test of the Agni-V missile fitted with MIRV technology, from Dr. Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha.

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