MAHIR | UPSC

News:

Launch of the MAHIR initiative

What:

MAHIR or Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research is a national mission to boost research and development in the power sector.
8 main focus areas:
- Alternatives to Li-ion storage batteries
- Modification of electric cookers and pans to suit Indian culinary methods
- Green hydrogen for mobility (high efficiency fuel cells)
- Carbon capture
- Geo-thermal energy
- Solid state refrigeration
- Nanotechnology for electric vehicle batteries
- Indigenous CRGO (cold rolled grain-oriented steel) technology

How:

Mission will follow technology life cycle approach, i.e. from idea to product.
2 tier structure:
- Apex Committee- under Union Minister for Power & New and Renewable Energy
- Technical Scoping Committee- under Chairperson of Central Electricity Authority
Provision of a common platform for:
- Collective brainstorming
- Synergetic technology development
- Devising pathways for smooth tech transfers
Quick identification of emerging technologies in the power field.
Indigenous development of these technologies, at scale, for deployments, both- within and outside India.
Support for pilot projects (especially those by startups) and facilitation of their commercialization
Funding will be pooled from the 2 ministries involved in the mission, along with the Central Public Sector Enterprises under these ministries. Additional funding will come from budgetary resources of the government.
International alliances and partnerships will be leveraged.