To accelerate innovation in green hydrogen, India has launched a ₹1 billion call for proposals targeting start-ups, offering up to ₹50 million per project for pilot initiatives in production, storage, transport and utilisation technologies.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi has said India is actively working to realise the goals outlined under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), with pilot projects, regulatory enablers and industry participation already underway.
“The green hydrogen ecosystem in India is already moving from vision to action. India’s first port-based green hydrogen pilot project has been launched at VO Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu. In the steel sector, five pilot projects are demonstrating hydrogen-based decarbonisation. In shipping, vessels are being retrofitted and refuelling facilities are being developed at Tuticorin Port,” Joshi said while inaugurating the first Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference in New Delhi on Thursday.
He added that hydrogen buses and refuelling stations are already operational in the transport sector.
“In fertilisers, India conducted its first-ever green ammonia auction, discovering a historic low price of ₹49.75 per kg, compared to ₹100.28 per kg in 2024, with supplies set to begin at Paradeep Phosphates in Odisha.”
Joshi also outlined the policy and infrastructure enablers supporting the transition. These include the Green Hydrogen Standard and Certification Scheme, aligned with over 140 international benchmarks, 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 further eased adoption.
Dedicated hydrogen hubs are being developed at Kandla, Paradip and Tuticorin Ports to strengthen India’s export competitiveness. Joshi noted that both large enterprises—including NTPC, Reliance and IOCL—and start-ups and MSMEs are investing heavily in hydrogen, helping build a robust value chain and generating lakhs of new jobs.
On the R&D front, Joshi said the dedicated scheme under NGHM has already awarded 23 projects in its first round of proposals. These span key areas such as safety and integration, hydrogen production from biomass, hydrogen applications and non-biomass production routes. Leading IITs, IISERs, CSIR labs, and industry partners are implementing these projects. International collaboration is also expanding under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, with over 30 joint proposals received on hydrogen production from waste.
To further support innovation, Joshi launched a ₹1 billion call for proposals aimed at start-ups. The scheme will offer up to ₹50 million per project for pilot initiatives in hydrogen production, storage, transport and utilisation technologies.
Launched in 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen. With an outlay of ₹197.44 billion, the mission rests on four pillars: policy and regulatory framework, demand creation, R&D and innovation, and enabling infrastructure.