The 'Mission Innovation' (MI) was launched by 20 countries during Hon’ble PM's visit to Paris for COP 21 in November 2015. India was one of the three countries, which took initiative in sowing the seed of ‘Mission Innovation’, a term coined by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. MI is currently comprised of 25 members Countries and the European Commission. These countries committed to double Government funding on clean energy research and development over 5 years and enhance international engagement in programmes on clean energy R&D.

Mission Innovation initiative reflects the collective desire of nations to work together to solve shared challenges to provide affordable and reliable clean energy. The focus of MI is on accelerating innovation though Research, Development and Demonstration. Deployment of technologies is not included in the scope of MI.

Eight Innovation Challenges were identified as the foundation for accelerating clean energy innovation. India is participating in all eight innovation challenges and co-leading three challenges. Smart Grids and Off Grid Access to Electricity are two of the challenges led by DST. The other co-lead of these challenges along with India is China and Italy for Smart Grid and France for Off Grid Access to Electricity. Sustainable Biofuels Challenge is led by Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) along with China, Canada and Brazil. India is member of the Steering Committee of MI and is also part of sub-groups on Analysis and Joint Research (AJR) and Business & Investor Engagement (BIE).

India has taken the lead in developing a framework which is promoting the clean energy technologies with active participation of scientists, researchers, universities, industries, utilities as well as private organisations across the world through the Mission Innovation platform.