The recently tested Agni V long range missile developed by India is capable of carrying a nuclear payload of approximately what maximum weight?

Introduction / Context:
Agni V is a long range ballistic missile developed by India as part of its strategic deterrence capability. It is designed to carry nuclear warheads to long distances with high accuracy. One important technical characteristic of such a missile is its payload capacity, which indicates the maximum weight of the warhead and associated systems it can deliver. This question asks about the approximate nuclear payload capacity of Agni V.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The missile under discussion is Agni V, a long range ballistic missile of India.
- The focus is on its nuclear payload carrying capacity in kilograms.
- The options are 1000 kg, 1500 kg, 2000 kg, and 2500 kg.
- We assume approximate figures are acceptable, as standard exam sources provide rounded values.

Concept / Approach:
Agni V is generally reported as being capable of carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1500 kilograms. This includes the warhead and related delivery hardware. Other numbers like 1000 kg or 2000 kg do not match widely cited specifications in defence primers and current affairs notes. Remembering this approximate payload figure helps in selecting the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Agni V is designed as an intercontinental range missile with a significant payload capacity. Step 2: Remember that standard references mention its nuclear payload capacity as about 1500 kilograms. Step 3: Compare this value with the options given: 1000 kg, 1500 kg, 2000 kg, and 2500 kg. Step 4: Note that 1500 kg matches the commonly quoted figure, while the others do not. Step 5: Choose 1500 kg as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Many competitive exam preparation books and defence related articles summarise Agni V key specifications. They usually list its range and payload together, stating that the missile can carry a one and a half tonne, that is 1500 kilogram, nuclear warhead. Since all other options differ significantly from this standard description, cross checking with such notes confirms 1500 kg as correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1000 kg: This underestimates the missile payload capacity and does not match the typical one and a half tonne figure seen in references.
2000 kg: This is higher than the widely cited payload for Agni V and does not appear in standard exam material descriptions.
2500 kg: This is even further away from the typical value and is not supported by mainstream technical summaries.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several missiles in the Agni series have different ranges and payloads, students sometimes mix up specifications and choose 1000 kg or 2000 kg based on another variant. Another pitfall is to assume that a higher capacity is always correct, which leads to picking 2500 kg. Carefully memorising the approximate payload figures for major missiles helps avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
Agni V is capable of carrying a nuclear payload of about 1500 kg.