The Indian Army's variant of the Prithvi-II was test-fired for the first time in May 2008 even though it was inducted as early as 2006. Apparently the Army version has also been tested in a 350 km extended range version, though it is not clear if this range is achieved with a reduced warhead size.

The Prithvi reportedly has the highest warhead-weight to overall-weight of any missile in its class.

The missile can carry a variety of conventional warheads such as pre-fragmented explosives, bomblets, incendiary, cluster munitions, sub-munitions, fuel-air explosives and high-explosives and has features to deceive anti ballistic missiles. The missile can also be equipped with multiple payloads, to be dispensed by the missile during its flight.

The Prithvi-II uses an inertial guidance system, and its accuracy has likely been enhanced with the addition of a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system on the warhead. It is possible that the warhead uses a radar correlation terminal guidance system.

The strap-down inertial guidance system has a twin microprocessor-based computer integrated with interrupt-driven, real time software.

Its navigation system guides it to the target within a CEP (Circular Error Probable) equal to .01% of its range. The missile's high accuracy enables it to target enemy military targets effectively, making it a battlefield weapon. It is reported that mobile targets can be attacked with Prithvi-II missiles using Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAVs).

The missile has the ability to manoeuvre up to 15°, extending its range into the atmosphere.

Prithvi missiles use a gyro system with uniquely configured software. When the flight is in progress, the drift can be monitored through an on-board computer. Its thrust termination is innovatively configured allowing multiple ranges to be achieved for multiple payloads.