Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in New Delhi and launched a new INR 100 crore Call for Proposals to support start-ups in hydrogen innovation. The scheme will provide up to INR 5 crore per project for pilot projects in innovative hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization technologies.

At the conference, 25 start-ups are demonstrating their innovations, ranging from electrolyzer manufacturing to AI-driven optimization and biological hydrogen solutions. Addressing researchers, start-ups, industry leaders, and policymakers, Shri Joshi emphasized that the conference is not just about sharing ideas but about turning research into practical solutions that can power industries, clean cities, and create lakhs of new jobs across India.

National Green Hydrogen Mission Progress

The Minister underscored the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023, to transform India's energy landscape and make the country a global hub for green hydrogen. With an outlay of INR 19,744 crore, the Mission rests on four pillars – Policy and Regulatory Framework, Demand Creation, R&D and Innovation, and Enabling Infrastructure.

The dedicated R&D Scheme under NGHM has already awarded 23 projects in the first round of Call for Proposals. These cover key areas such as Safety and Integration, Hydrogen Production from Biomass, Hydrogen Applications, and Non-Biomass Hydrogen Production routes. Leading IITs, IISERs, CSIR labs, and industry partners are implementing these projects.

The second round of R&D proposals, launched on 14 July 2025, remains open till 15 September 2025. Internationally, collaboration is expanding under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, with over 30 joint proposals received on hydrogen production from waste.

Operational Projects and Industry Implementation

Shri Joshi stressed that India's green hydrogen ecosystem is already moving from vision to action. India's first port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project has been launched at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu. In the steel sector, five pilot projects are demonstrating hydrogen-based decarbonization. In shipping, vessels are being retrofitted, and refueling facilities are being developed at Tuticorin Port.

In transportation, hydrogen buses and refueling stations are already in operation. In the fertilizer sector, India held its first-ever green ammonia auction, discovering a historic low price of INR 49.75 per kg, compared to INR 100.28 per kg in 2024, with supply expected to start at Paradeep Phosphates in Odisha.

Infrastructure Development and Industry Investment

The Minister highlighted the enablers already in place, including the Green Hydrogen Standard and Certification Scheme aligned with over 140 international standards, the sanctioning of five new testing facilities, and the certification of more than 5,600 trainees in hydrogen-related qualifications. Regulatory waivers such as transmission charge exemptions and streamlined clearances have been implemented.

Dedicated hydrogen hubs are being developed at Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin Ports to strengthen India's export competitiveness. Both large enterprises like NTPC, Reliance, and IOCL, and start-ups and MSMEs are investing heavily in hydrogen, building a robust value chain, and creating lakhs of new jobs. NGHM aims for five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production annually by 2030, 125 GW of new renewable capacity, investments of INR 8 lakh crore, six lakh new jobs, and 50 million tonnes of CO2 reduction each year.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also inaugurated the start-up exhibition held as part of the conference. Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, addressed the inaugural session, stating that R&D empowers the nation to solve complex challenges and drive economic growth. “R&D is not optional, but essential,” Prof. Sood said, stressing the importance of sustained innovation for building a robust green hydrogen ecosystem.

MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi highlighted that the Green Hydrogen R&D programme has a budgetary outlay of INR 400 crore and that MNRE is ready to collaborate and support all stakeholders in driving forward the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Mission Director of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, Dr. Abhay Bhakre, said that India today stands at the threshold of becoming a global leader in green hydrogen.

The 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference 2025, organized by MNRE, is being held on 11-12 September 2025, featuring expert sessions, interactive roundtables, and a Start-up Expo with 25 pioneering companies driving India's green energy revolution.

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