The Indian government has announced a new ₹100 crore scheme to support startups working in green hydrogen technology. This initiative was launched by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, during the first Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference held in New Delhi.
Grants Up to ₹5 Crore for Innovative Projects
The scheme provides grants of up to ₹5 crore per project. It supports startups developing pilot projects in areas like hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilization. Around 25 startups showcased their innovative solutions at the conference, including electrolyser manufacturing and AI-driven hydrogen optimisation.
Drive Towards Practical Solutions and Job Creation
Minister Joshi stressed that the goal of this scheme is not only to share ideas but to turn research into real-world solutions. These solutions are expected to power industries, promote cleaner cities, and create lakhs of new jobs across India. This is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which was launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
National Green Hydrogen Mission and Its Pillars
The NGHM aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen. It rests on four key pillars: policy and regulatory support, demand creation, research and development, and infrastructure enabling. Since its launch, 23 projects have already been awarded under the mission’s R&D scheme, targeting areas like hydrogen safety, biomass-based production, and alternative hydrogen sources. The mission targets five million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production by 2030, backed by 125 gigawatts of renewable capacity.
Progress and Collaboration
Leading Indian research institutes such as IITs, IISERs, and CSIR labs, along with industry partners, are executing these projects. The second round of R&D proposals is open until September 15, 2025, encouraging more innovators to join. This drive is complemented by growing international collaboration, including joint projects under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council.
Hydrogen Hubs and Industry Participation
To boost competitiveness, dedicated hydrogen hubs are being developed at ports like Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin. Major corporations including NTPC, Reliance, and Indian Oil are also investing in hydrogen projects alongside startups and MSMEs. The mission is expected to attract investments worth ₹8 lakh crore and create six lakh jobs while reducing annual carbon emissions by 50 million tonnes.