The government on Monday made it clear that there was no move to cap the range and reach of the country's surface-to-surface missiles.

"There are no instructions from the government to defence scientists on missile development programme," Defence Ministry spokesman said, reacting to reports that India had decided to cap the range of long-range missiles to only 5,000 km distance.

"The missile programme is going on as per security requirements of the country," he said.

The government clarification comes as Defence Research and Development Organisation missile scientists are awaiting government clearance on development and testing of longer range missiles of AGNI-III versions.

Earlier this year, India successfully test-fired its 3,000 km range nuclear capable AGNI-III missiles, with DRDO scientists expressing confidence that 'a much longer range missile could be developed'.