Pokhran-I was India's first successful nuclear test, conducted on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. The test was codenamed "Smiling Buddha" and marked India's entry into the group of nations with nuclear capabilities. The test involved the detonation of a nuclear device, which was developed by Indian scientists and engineers. This event demonstrated India's technological advancements and aimed to enhance national security, while also signaling its commitment to maintaining a strategic defense posture in the region.