India's nuclear capabilities were formally announced on May 18, 1974, with the 'Smiling Buddha' test in Pokhran, Rajasthan. This event, which was initially described as a peaceful nuclear explosion (PNE), shocked the international community and marked India's entry into the group of nuclear-armed nations. The test, conducted by a small team of scientists led by Raja Ramanna, utilized plutonium from the CIRUS reactor, which had been supplied by Canada. The official yield was reported at 12 kilotons, although estimates suggest it may have been under 10 kilotons. The global response was overwhelmingly negative, resulting in Canada cutting off nuclear assistance and the U.S. imposing restrictions. This backlash led to heightened international scrutiny and the establishment of stricter nuclear protocols. Additionally, there are ongoing health concerns in nearby villages, with potential increases in cancer and birth defects linked to the test. Ramanna, who played a pivotal role in the test, later clarified that it was indeed a nuclear bomb, contradicting the initial narrative of a peaceful test. The implications of this event continue to resonate in India's nuclear policy and international relations.