Science & Technology · 7 Nov 2026
यह लेख हिंदी मेंPralay Missile Test November 2026: DRDO User Trial off Odisha, Induction Now Imminent
Useful for UPSC mock tests · SSC mock tests · Banking mock tests · Railways mock tests · CDS/NDA
In one line: On 5 November 2026 DRDO flight-tested the indigenous quasi-ballistic missile Pralay from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha as a user evaluation trial; all objectives were met and the Defence Ministry says induction is now imminent.
Key facts
- MissilePralay, indigenous quasi-ballistic missile
- Test date5 Nov 2026, about 11:10 hrs
- Launch siteDr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha
- TrackingRange instruments of Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur
- Type of testUser evaluation trial; all objectives met
- Lead developerResearch Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with other DRDO labs
- Production partnerBharat Dynamics Limited (one of the Development-cum-Production Partners)
- PropulsionSolid propellant (per July 2025 Defence Ministry release)
Timeline
- 28-29 Jul 2025Two consecutive flight-tests validate maximum and minimum range; phase-1 user trials completed
- 31 Dec 2025Salvo launch of two Pralay missiles in quick succession off Odisha in user trials
- 5 Nov 2026Fresh user evaluation trial from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island; induction called imminent
Why it matters for your exam
- UPSCGS III: Science and technology, indigenisation of defence technology; Prelims: missile types, developer lab and test sites
- CDS/NDAGeneral Awareness: Indian missile systems, DRDO labs, Odisha test ranges
- SSCStatic-plus-current GK: Pralay missile, DRDO, Research Centre Imarat, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island
- BankingCurrent affairs: defence tests in November 2026, Bharat Dynamics Limited as production partner
- RailwaysGeneral awareness one-liners: who developed Pralay and where it was tested
Key terms
- Quasi-ballistic missile
- A missile that follows a lower, flatter path than a pure ballistic missile and can manoeuvre during flight, which makes it harder to predict and intercept.
- User evaluation trial
- A test conducted for and witnessed by the armed forces that will use a weapon, to check that it meets their requirements before induction.
- Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP)
- An industry partner brought in during development so that it can manufacture the system once it is cleared.
- Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur
- DRDO's range in Odisha whose radars, telemetry and tracking instruments record missile flight data.
What happened
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) flight-tested the quasi-ballistic missile Pralay at about 11:10 hrs on 5 November 2026 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. According to the Ministry of Defence release issued the same evening, all test objectives were fully met, as confirmed by flight data from range instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
The launch was a user evaluation trial, held in the presence of senior DRDO officials, industry representatives and personnel of the Defence Forces. The Ministry said that with this success, induction of the system has become imminent.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Defence Forces and industry, saying the missile's advanced technologies will further enhance the military's technological capabilities and operational preparedness against emerging threats. Rajesh Kumar Singh, who is the Defence Secretary, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also congratulated the teams.
Background
Pralay has been through a series of user trials over the past year and a half:
- 28 and 29 July 2025: two consecutive flight-tests from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island validated the missile's maximum and minimum range. DRDO's then Chairman, Dr Samir V Kamat, said completion of this phase-1 testing paved the way for induction in the near future. Representatives of the Indian Air Force and Indian Army watched the tests.
- 31 December 2025: DRDO carried out a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles in quick succession off the Odisha coast, again as part of user evaluation trials witnessed by IAF and Army officers.
The November 2026 test continues this run of user trials, and the official wording has moved from induction "in the near future" (July 2025) to induction being "imminent".
Key details
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Missile | Pralay, indigenous quasi-ballistic missile |
| Date and time | 5 November 2026, about 11:10 hrs |
| Launch site | Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha |
| Flight data | Range instruments of ITR, Chandipur |
| Nature of test | User evaluation trial |
| Lead lab | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad |
| Producer | Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), one of the Development-cum-Production Partners |
| Outcome | All objectives met; induction "imminent" |
What earlier official releases add:
- Pralay is a solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation for high precision (July 2025 release).
- It can carry multiple types of warheads against different kinds of targets (July 2025 release).
- Besides RCI, the DRDO labs involved include DRDL, ASL, ARDE, HEMRL, DMRL, TBRL, R&DE (Engineers) and ITR; industry partners named in July 2025 were BDL and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), along with other industries and MSMEs.
The November 2026 release does not give range, payload weight or launcher details, so those figures are not given here.
Why it matters
- Precision strike: a quasi-ballistic missile that can manoeuvre in flight is harder to intercept than one on a predictable ballistic arc, giving the forces a hard-to-intercept precision strike option.
- Close to induction: user trials are the final gate before a weapon joins service; the Ministry now calls induction imminent.
- Self-reliance: the missile is designed by DRDO labs and produced by a public sector partner (BDL), in line with the push to indigenise defence systems.
- Industry readiness: bringing the production partner in during development is meant to shorten the gap between successful trials and series production.
Issues and criticism
- Limited public detail: the latest release gives no figures on range or payload, so the exact capability on test cannot be independently assessed from official material.
- From trials to service: "imminent" induction depends on production orders, delivery schedules and training, none of which the release specifies.
- Cost and numbers: the release does not say how many missiles or units are planned for the forces.
Way forward
- Complete remaining user trials and formal acceptance by the services.
- Scale up series production at BDL and its supply chain so induction follows quickly.
- Integrate Pralay into joint fire plans of the Army and the Air Force, whose representatives have witnessed earlier trials.
- Keep testing in realistic conditions, including salvo firings, to build confidence in reliability.
Prelims pointers
- Pralay is an indigenous quasi-ballistic missile developed by DRDO.
- Lead lab: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.
- Production partner: Bharat Dynamics Limited.
- Latest test: 5 November 2026, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha, as a user evaluation trial.
- Flight data came from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
- Earlier user trials: two consecutive tests on 28-29 July 2025 (maximum and minimum range) and a two-missile salvo on 31 December 2025.
- It uses solid propellant and can carry multiple types of warheads (Defence Ministry, July 2025).
One-liners for SSC, Banking and Railways
- Pralay is a quasi-ballistic missile developed by DRDO.
- Pralay was flight-tested on 5 November 2026 off the Odisha coast.
- Launch site: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
- Developer lab: Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad; producer: Bharat Dynamics Limited.
- Current DRDO Chairman (as per the release): Rajesh Kumar Singh, who is also Defence Secretary.
Revise more such facts with the weekly current affairs quiz and the SSC CGL page.
Mains practice question
Q. "Indigenous tactical missiles such as Pralay show how far India's defence R&D has moved from design to deployment." Discuss with reference to the role of user trials and industry partnership. (150 words)
Points to cover:
- What a quasi-ballistic missile is and why it is useful for precision strike.
- The sequence of user trials (July 2025, December 2025, November 2026) and why user evaluation matters.
- The Development-cum-Production Partner model (BDL produced the system), wider industry partnership including BEL, and its role in faster induction.
- Remaining gaps: production scale, timelines and transparency on capability.
Sources
- PIB (Ministry of Defence): DRDO conducts successful flight-test of quasi-ballistic missile 'Pralay', 5 Nov 2026
- PIB (Ministry of Defence): DRDO successfully conducts two consecutive flight-tests of Pralay missile, 29 Jul 2025
- All India Radio News: DRDO conducts launch of two Pralay missiles in rapid succession from Odisha coast, 31 Dec 2025