National Technology Day, May 11, India conducted the Pokhran Nuclear Test in 1998

May 11, National Technology Day reminds us and makes us feel proud when India conducted the famous Pokhran Nuclear Test in 1998.

India celebrates National Technology Day on May 11. This day is celebrated as the the anniversary of Pokhran Nuclear Tests which was conducted in 1998. It is also called as Operation Shakti. Not only this, National Technology day is also celebrated to talk about India’s progress in field of science and technology.

The National Technology Day was coined by late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On 11 May 1998, India successfully conducted Pokhran-II (code name-Operation Shakti) in which it tested its Shakti-I nuclear missile at Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. This was the second nuclear test conducted by India after Pokhran I (code-named Operation Smiling Buddha) was conducted in May 1974.

The first Indian underground nuclear test was conducted on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran in the desert state of Rajasthan. It was after 24 years, India conducted an another nuclear test on May 11, 1998. After the nuclear test, we all know that the cracks were visible on the earth in Rajasthan.

First Nuclear Test, Courtesy,, PUNJAB PHOTO/AFP via Getty Images

After the nuclear test, cracks on the earth in Rajasthan can be seen

National Technology Day also marks the flight of Hansa-3, India’s first indigenous aircraft which was developed by National Aerospace Laboratories. It was flown in Bengaluru when nuclear tests were being organized in Pokhran, Rajasthan.

On May 11, 1998 the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) accomplished last test-fire of Trishul missile. It is a surface-to-air, short-range missile, quick-reaction. It was then introduced into defense service by Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army.

The Trishul missile Trishul was a unit of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) of India which has resulted in formation of Prithvi, Akash and Agni missile systems.