The Government of India has rolled out a ₹100-crore initiative to accelerate startup-led innovation in green hydrogen production and allied technologies.
The scheme will offer up to ₹5 crore in funding per project, supporting startups across the value chain—ranging from hydrogen generation and storage to transport and end-use applications.
Announcing the program at a two-day conference, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the move is designed to transform early-stage research into scalable industrial solutions. At the event, 25 startups presented ideas spanning electrolyser design, AI-driven optimisation, and bio-hydrogen pathways.
“The scheme will not only help clean up cities and reduce industrial emissions but also unlock lakhs of green jobs for India’s youth,” Joshi added.
This initiative falls under the larger National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. The NGHM is built on four focus areas: policy framework, demand creation, R&D and innovation, and enabling infrastructure.
The R&D arm of NGHM has already funded 23 pilot projects, including biomass-to-hydrogen systems, hydrogen safety solutions, and application-focused research across IITs, IISERs, CSIR labs, and private industry. A second call for proposals, announced on July 14, is open until September 15.
International collaboration is also gaining momentum, with the EU-India Trade and Technology Council receiving 30+ joint project proposals exploring hydrogen production from wastewater and other unconventional sources.
With this scheme, India aims to not only strengthen its clean energy leadership but also pave the way to becoming a global hub for green hydrogen innovation.
By: Arushi Agarwal
