India Launches ₹100 Crore Initiative to Boost Green Hydrogen Innovation

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi unveils funding scheme for start-ups to accelerate hydrogen production, storage, and utilisation under National Green Hydrogen Mission

Bhubaneswar : The Government of India has taken another decisive step toward building a sustainable and self-reliant energy future. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced the launch of a ₹100 crore “Call for Proposals” designed to support start-ups engaged in green hydrogen innovation. The announcement came during the inaugural session of the 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R\&D Conference, held in New Delhi.

Under the scheme, start-ups and innovators will be eligible for funding of up to ₹5 crore per project. The focus areas include hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilisation technologies, with an aim to drive the commercial adoption of clean hydrogen.

Speaking at the event, Joshi highlighted that this initiative seeks to bridge the gap between research and industry. “Our goal is to turn cutting-edge research into real-world solutions that power industries, clean our cities, and create lakhs of jobs,” he said.

The conference featured 25 start-ups showcasing pioneering work in fields such as electrolyser manufacturing, AI-driven hydrogen optimisation, and biological methods of hydrogen production. These innovations represent India’s growing capability to contribute meaningfully to the global hydrogen value chain.

Joshi reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. The mission aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. “The government is fully committed to building a world-class hydrogen ecosystem in India,” Joshi added.

The minister also outlined progress made under the NGHM so far. Already, 23 R\&D projects have been awarded in critical areas such as hydrogen safety, biomass-based hydrogen production, and integration of hydrogen into industrial applications. Pilot initiatives like India’s first port-based green hydrogen project at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, hydrogen-powered buses with refuelling stations, and hydrogen trials in the steel and shipping industries reflect how the mission is moving from planning to action.

One of the most notable milestones Joshi mentioned was India’s recent discovery of a record low price for green ammonia. In the country’s first-ever green ammonia auction, the price dropped to ₹49.75 per kg, nearly halving the rate from ₹100.28 per kg in 2024. This, he noted, demonstrates that clean fuels are becoming more affordable and commercially viable.

Highlighting the scale of ambition, Joshi said that by 2030 India aims to produce five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually, add 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, attract investments worth ₹8 lakh crore, and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 50 million tonnes each year. He stressed that both large corporations and emerging start-ups have a crucial role in building a robust hydrogen economy that will also generate significant employment and export opportunities.

The two-day Green Hydrogen R\&D Conference will include expert sessions, interactive discussions, and a start-up expo to facilitate collaboration between industry, academia, and government stakeholders. Officials said the platform will help accelerate India’s journey to becoming a global leader in the hydrogen economy, while reinforcing its commitment to energy security and climate goals.

With this fresh boost of funding and policy backing, India’s green hydrogen ecosystem is set to gain momentum, signaling not just a technological shift but also an economic transformation towards cleaner, more sustainable growth.