Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research

• 09 Jun 2023

On June 7, 2023, the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy jointly launched the Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR) in the power sector.

• Aims: To quickly identify emerging technologies, develop them indigenously, and deploy them within and outside India.
• Objectives: The objectives of the mission include identifying emerging technologies, creating a platform for collective brainstorming, supporting pilot projects, leveraging foreign alliances, and making India a leading country in power system technology development
• Facilitating Indigenous Research and Development: MAHIR will facilitate indigenous research, development, and demonstration of the latest and emerging technologies in the power sector.
• Funding: The mission will be funded by pooling financial resources from the Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Central Public Sector Enterprises under these ministries.
• Technology Life Cycle Approach: MAHIR will follow the technology life cycle approach of Idea to Product and will have an initial duration of five years.
• Areas Identified for Research: Eight areas have been identified for initial research, including alternatives to Lithium-Ion storage batteries, green hydrogen for mobility, and carbon capture.
• Two-Tier Structure: The mission will have a two-tier structure consisting of a Technical Scoping Committee and an Apex Committee to identify research areas, approve proposals, and monitor progress.
• Support for Indian Start-ups: Pilot projects by Indian start-ups will be funded, and international collaboration will be sought for knowledge exchange and technology transfer.