Daily Current Affairs 12 June 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 12 June 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)

Source : PIB
GS II : Education

Overview

1. About the Mission of Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)
2. National Electricity Plan (NEP)

Why in News ?

Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR) was launched recently to leverage Emerging Technologies in Power Sector.

About the Mission of Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR):-

• It aims to facilitate indigenous research, development and demonstration of the latest and emerging technologies in the power sector.
• It is planned for an initial period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
• It is under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

What are the Objectives of MAHIR?

• To identify emerging technologies in the power sector that have the potential for future relevance globally.
• To serve as a platform for collective brainstorming.
• To Support pilot projects for indigenous technologies.
• Leverage foreign alliances to accelerate research and development efforts.
• To create a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in the power sector.

How it is funded?

• MAHIR is funded through pooling of resources from the Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Central Public Sector Enterprises under these ministries.
• Additional funding will be from the budgetary resources of the Government of India.
• The mission encourages funding by inviting proposals from companies and organizations worldwide.

Structure

• MAHIR operates through a two-tier structure comprising a Technical Scoping Committee and an Apex Committee.
• Led by the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority.

National Electricity Plan (NEP)

• The latest draft of the National Electricity Plan (NEP), which covers the period 2022-27.
• The NEP guides the development of the power sector in India.
• The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) formulates it every five years under the Electricity Act, 2003.
• The new NEP recognizes the need for additional coal-based capacity, ranging from 17 GW to nearly 28 GW, till 2031-32, over and above the 25 GW of coal-based capacity that is currently under construction.
• The draft Plan also highlights the need for significant investments in battery storage, with an estimated requirement of between 51 GW to 84 GW by 2031-32.
• It projects an increase in the Plant Load Factor (PLF) of coal-fired power plants from 55% up to 2026-27 to 62 % in 2031-32.
• It also emphasizes the challenges posed by the increasing reliance on renewables, which will require careful management and planning in the years ahead.

India New Zealand Round Table Meeting

Source : PIB
GS II : International Relation

Overview

1. About India New Zealand Round Table Meeting
2. India’s and New Zealand Relations

Why in News ?

First Round Table Joint Meeting between India and New Zealand with the industry and industry associations of both the countries took place in New Delhi.

About India New Zealand Round Table Meeting

• The meeting was co-chaired by the Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce and High Commissioner of New Zealand.
• Both nations recognised the connection between India and New Zealand’s enormous potential and the necessity of creating a synergy for improved economic ties in areas of shared interest.
• Beyond any free trade agreement, it was understood that there was a need to look for additional areas where both may be complementary.
• The Joint Trade Committee (JTC), established by the Bilateral Trade Agreement of 1986, had been the topic of the debates.
• With some of the key areas being the promotion of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) system, carbon credit cooperation, and working on issues like the requests on non-tariff measures for bilateral gains to the businesses of both sides, New Zealand stressed the importance of facilitating trade and association with the private sector.

India and New Zealand Relations

• With links dating back to the 1800s, when Indians began to settle in Christchurch during the 1850s, India and New Zealand have a long-standing, cordial, and expanding relationship.
• The Commonwealth, parliamentary democracy, and the English language are all connections that underpin the warm and amicable relations between India and New Zealand.
• With total two-way commerce valued at USD 1.80 billion in the year ending September 20, India is New Zealand’s 11th-largest trading partner.
• All Indian celebrations, such as Diwali, Holi, Rakshabandhan, Baisakhi, Guruparv, Onam, and Pongal, are joyfully observed across New Zealand.

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