High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Smiling Buddha, formally designated as Pokhran-I, was the codename given to Republic of India`s first nuclear test explosion that took place at the long-constructed Indian Army base, Pokhran Test Range at Pokhran municipality, Rajasthan state on 18 May 1974 at 8:05 a.m. (IST). It was also the first confirmed nuclear test by a nation outside the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The explosive yield of the bomb was reported to be 8 kt.