1. Key Takeaways
India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Green Hydrogen annually by 2030.
Port-based Green Hydrogen pilots have been launched at
V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu)
Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla (Gujarat)
Hydrogen mobility pilots are running on 10 routes, using 37 hydrogen vehicles (fuel cell + hydrogen ICE).
The Mission is expected to attract ₹8 lakh crore investment, generate 6 lakh jobs, and reduce fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore annually.
2. Introduction
India is undergoing a major energy transition to reduce fossil fuel dependence and move toward Net Zero by 2070.
In this shift, Green Hydrogen (GH2) has emerged as a strategic fuel to decarbonize:
Fertilizers
Refineries
Steel
Long-haul mobility
Shipping
To build a national ecosystem around hydrogen, the Government launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023.
Mission Vision:
Energy security
Reduced import dependence
Global leadership in hydrogen
Industrial competitiveness
Transition to a low-carbon economy
3. What is Green Hydrogen?
Green Hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy.
Process
Water is split into hydrogen + oxygen using electrolysis, powered by:
Solar
Wind
Hydro
Hydrogen qualifies as “Green” if life-cycle emissions ≤ 2 kg CO₂ per kg of H₂.
Other sources
Biomass → Hydrogen (also allowed if emission limits are met).
4. Targets and Scale of the Mission
By 2030, India aims to achieve:
5 MMT annual GH2 production
125 GW of renewable energy capacity dedicated to GH2
₹8 lakh crore+ investments
6 lakh new jobs
Reduction of 50 MMT CO₂ emissions per year
Reduced fossil-fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore annually
5. Institutional Achievements (as of May 2025)
19 companies awarded 8.62 lakh tonnes/year GH2 production capacity
15 firms allocated 3,000 MW electrolyzer manufacturing capacity
Pilot projects operational in:
Steel
Shipping
Road transport
6. Components of NGHM
The Mission is built on four pillars:
1. Policy and Regulatory Framework
Clear standards
Certification
Transmission charge waivers
Open Access reforms
2. Demand Creation
Incentives to replace grey hydrogen (from natural gas) in industries
Support for green ammonia in fertilizers
3. R&D and Innovation
Funding, technology development, safety systems
4. Infrastructure
Hydrogen hubs
Storage systems
Refueling corridors
7. Major Schemes Under the Mission
(i) SIGHT Scheme (₹17,490 crore)
Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition
Incentives for:
Domestic electrolyzer manufacturing
Production of green hydrogen and green ammonia
(ii) Development of Green Hydrogen Hubs
Three ports designated as GH2 hubs (Oct 2025):
Deendayal Port, Gujarat
V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tamil Nadu
Paradip Port, Odisha
Purpose
Integrated centres for production, storage, consumption, and export.
(iii) Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCI), 2025
Certifies hydrogen as “green” based on life-cycle emissions.
Mandatory for:
Any plant availing incentives
Any domestic sale
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the nodal authority.
(iv) Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP)
Public–private R&D collaboration
Involves:
BARC
ISRO
CSIR
IITs, IISc
Focus: advanced hydrogen technologies.
R&D Funding
₹400 crore powering 23 projects on safety, storage, and production
₹100 crore scheme for hydrogen start-ups
International collaboration via EU–India TTC
8. Sectoral Applications
A. Industrial Applications
1. Fertilizers
Green ammonia auctions: 7.24 lakh tonnes/year at ₹55.75/kg
2. Petroleum Refineries
Gradual shift from grey to green hydrogen
Reduces carbon intensity of refining operations
3. Steel
5 industrial pilots evaluating:
Direct reduction of iron using GH2
Safety
Cost feasibility
B. Mobility and Transport
1. Road Transport
37 hydrogen vehicles under trial:
15 fuel cell vehicles
22 hydrogen-ICE vehicles
9 refueling stations
₹208 crore financial support
2. Shipping
V.O. Chidambaranar Port
10 Nm³/hr Green Hydrogen plant
Cost: ₹25 crore
Deendayal Port (Kandla)
Megawatt-scale GH2 facility
Cost: ₹13 crore
Output: 140 tonnes/year
Green Methanol Bunkering (₹42 crore)
Supports Kandla–Tuticorin Green Shipping Corridor
3. High Altitude Mobility (Leh, 3,650 m)
NTPC pilot:
5 hydrogen buses
GH2 fueling station
Mitigation: 350 MT CO₂/year
Produces 230 MT oxygen/year (equivalent to 13,000 trees)
9. Enabling Framework
Policy Measures
Waiver of interstate transmission charges for renewable energy used in GH2
Time-bound open access approvals
Skill Development
Over 5,600 trainees certified in hydrogen-related skills
Curriculum designed with:
NSDC
Sector Skill Councils
Industry partners
10. International Partnerships
1. World Hydrogen Summit (2024)
India Pavilion inaugurated
Boosts global engagement
2. EU–India Trade and Technology Council
Over 30 joint hydrogen proposals
3. India–UK Standards Partnership
Cooperation on:
Safety codes
Regulations
Certification standards
4. Partnership with Germany’s H2Global
Joint tender designs for hydrogen exports
SECI signed an MoU (2024)
5. Singapore Collaboration (2025)
Sembcorp to develop hydrogen/ammonia hubs at:
Tuticorin
Paradip
11. Conclusion
Green Hydrogen forms the backbone of India’s emergence as a clean-energy leader.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission integrates:
Energy security
Industrial transformation
Emissions reduction
Job creation
Global competitiveness
With strong renewable energy capacity, robust policy support, and expanding international partnerships, India is positioning itself to become a major global producer and exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
The Mission represents a decisive step toward a sustainable, secure, and self-reliant future—aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and India’s Net Zero 2070 commitment.
