Overview
India is undergoing a significant energy transition, aiming to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and increase domestic clean energy production. This aligns with the nation's vision of becoming a developed country by 2047 and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. Green Hydrogen has emerged as a crucial alternative fuel, capable of decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, reducing import dependence, and supporting India’s energy security and industrial growth objectives.
The Indian government launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023. This umbrella program aims to establish a comprehensive Green Hydrogen ecosystem, addressing both opportunities and challenges in the sector.
Key Objectives
The NGHM is more than just an energy initiative; it represents a strategic pathway towards enhancing industrial competitiveness, reducing import dependence, and ensuring long-term energy security. It effectively links sustainability with self-reliance.
Understanding Green Hydrogen
Green Hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, instead of fossil fuels. The process involves splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, powered by electricity from renewable sources. According to the standards notified by the Government of India, hydrogen produced this way is considered “green” if the total emissions from the process do not exceed 2 kg of CO₂ equivalent for every 1 kg of Hydrogen produced. Green Hydrogen can also be produced by converting biomass, such as agricultural waste, into hydrogen, provided the same emission limits are maintained.
National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) Details
The NGHM aims to build the necessary capacity and ecosystem to position India as a global leader in clean hydrogen. By 2030, the Mission will be supported by approximately 125 GW of new renewable energy capacity dedicated to green hydrogen production, with investments exceeding ₹8 lakh crore. The Mission is expected to create over 6 lakh jobs, reduce fossil fuel imports by more than ₹1 lakh crore, and avoid nearly 50 MMT of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030.
As of May 2025, 19 companies have been allocated a cumulative annual production capacity of 862,000 tonnes of Green Hydrogen. Additionally, 15 firms have been awarded a 3,000 MW annual electrolyzer manufacturing capacity. India has also launched pilot projects in the steel, mobility, and shipping sectors.
Sectoral Innovation & Implementation Under NGHM
Launched in January 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission has an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore until Financial Year 2029-30. This includes ₹17,490 crore for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, ₹1,466 crore for pilot projects, ₹400 crore for research and development (R&D), and ₹388 crore towards other Mission components.
The Mission focuses on four key pillars:
- Policy and regulatory framework
- Demand creation
- Research and development & innovation
- Enabling infrastructure and ecosystem development
These pillars are aimed at positioning India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, use, and export.
To augment the Mission’s vision, the government has launched multiple schemes to accelerate the production and use of green hydrogen, promote domestic manufacturing and exports, ensure regulatory compliance, and strengthen public–private partnerships.
Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Scheme
The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Scheme, with an outlay of ₹ 17,490 crore up to 2029-30, provides financial incentives for the manufacturing of electrolyzers used for green hydrogen production.
Development of Green Hydrogen Hubs
In October 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recognized three major ports as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the NGHM:
- Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat)
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (Tamil Nadu)
- Paradip Port Authority (Odisha)
These coastal gateways will serve as integrated centers for production, consumption, and future export.
Standards, Certification and Safety
Launched in April 2025, the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) provides a national framework to certify hydrogen as “green” by assessing its greenhouse gas emissions across the entire production cycle. The scheme ensures that only hydrogen produced using renewable energy, and within the prescribed emission limits, can be officially labeled as Green Hydrogen. It provides transparency, traceability, and credibility for producers, buyers, and export markets.
Under the GHCI, obtaining a ‘Final Certificate’ is mandatory for any green hydrogen production facility in India that:
- Receives subsidies or incentives from the central or state governments
- Sells or uses the hydrogen domestically (in India)
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the Nodal Authority responsible for accrediting agencies that monitor and certify projects.
Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP)
The Mission fosters public-private partnerships for R&D through the Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP). It is designed to support the development of advanced, globally competitive hydrogen technologies through collaborative research involving Government institutions, industry, and academic organisations. The programme includes the creation of a dedicated R&D fund with contributions from both the Government and industry. Under SHIP