- Why in news
- On May 8, 2026, India flight-tested an Advanced Agni missile with a MIRV system from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha; the Ministry of Defence announced it on May 9, 2026.
- What it is
- A MIRV is a missile payload with several warheads. Each warhead can be aimed at a separate target after the missile's boost phase. Agni is India's family of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, developed by DRDO and used by the Strategic Forces Command. Agni-V was first tested with MIRV technology under Mission Divyastra in March 2024.
- Multiple targets
- The missile carried several payloads aimed at different targets spread over a large area of the Indian Ocean Region.
- Tracking
- Ground and ship-based stations tracked the missile from lift-off until all payloads hit.
- Developer
- DRDO laboratories developed the missile with support from industry across the country.
- Earlier MIRV test
- India's first MIRV test was Mission Divyastra with Agni-V, in March 2024.
Don’t confuse with MIRV vs MRV: MRV warheads share a general target area and are not individually aimed. MIRV warheads can be directed to separate targets.
Don’t confuse with Ballistic vs cruise missile: Ballistic missiles follow a ballistic arc after the boost phase. Cruise missiles are powered and fly within the atmosphere, like BrahMos.
Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.
Why it matters
- MIRV lets one missile strike several targets, improving India's strategic deterrence.
- It can help overcome enemy missile defences.
Problems
- Accurate guidance of each re-entry vehicle and miniaturised warheads are technically hard.
- It may trigger regional arms-race concerns.
Way forward
- Continue testing and indigenous development with industry partners.
- Pair deterrence with a stated no-first-use policy and transparent risk-reduction measures.
Put in your answer
Mission Divyastra: India's first MIRV test used Agni-V in March 2024.
Tracking: Ground and ship-based stations tracked the missile until all payloads hit.
- 2014Prelims Q37Which statements about Agni-IV are correct: surface-to-surface, liquid fuel, 1-tonne warhead range?
- 2023Prelims Q58Whether ballistic and cruise missile flight features are correct, and whether Agni-V is a cruise missile.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Advanced Agni missile with a MIRV system was flight-tested in May 2026 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
- 2.A MIRV-equipped missile carries a single large warhead that splits into fragments on impact.
- 3.The Advanced Agni missile with MIRV was developed by DRDO laboratories with industry support.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The flight-trial was conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
True. The release names Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha as the launch site.
2.The missile carried multiple payloads aimed at different targets spread over a large area of the Indian Ocean Region.
True. Payloads were directed at spatially distributed targets in the Indian Ocean Region.
3.The missile was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation with industry support.
False. DRDO laboratories developed it with industry support.
4.A MIRV-equipped missile carries a single large warhead that splits into fragments on impact.
False. A MIRV carries several separate warheads, each able to be aimed at a different target.
5.India's first MIRV test, Mission Divyastra, used the Agni-V missile.
True. Mission Divyastra in March 2024 tested Agni-V with MIRV technology.
6.The Agni series of missiles is operated by the Strategic Forces Command.
True. Strategic Forces Command, part of the Nuclear Command Authority structure, handles India's nuclear-capable missiles including Agni.
7.Agni missiles are cruise missiles that fly at low altitude throughout their flight.
False. Agni missiles are ballistic missiles that follow a ballistic trajectory.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.