India will conduct the third test of the Agni-5, a ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, on January 31, a source at the institution responsible for the launch told Sputnik Thursday.

The India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the country's premier defense research institution, will test-fire the missile on the same day that Avinash Chander will step down as its chief, the source added.

The Indian government terminated Chander's contract on January 13 citing his age.

The Agni-5 is a three-stage ballistic missile designed to carry a 1.5-ton warhead with a range of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles). It has been dubbed the "China-killer" by media, as it is capable of hitting major Chinese cities such as Beijing.