Startup Originals Team
The Indian government has launched a new ₹100 crore scheme aimed at supporting startups working on green hydrogen technologies. Announced at the first Green Hydrogen R&D Conference by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, this initiative will fund pilot projects in hydrogen production, storage, transport and usage, boosting innovation and pushing forward India’s goal of clean energy transformation.
What the Scheme Offers
- Each eligible project can receive up to ₹5 crore in grants.
- The focus areas include hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilisation technologies (how hydrogen is used in industries, transport, etc.).
- Inaugurated along with the Green Hydrogen R&D Conference, where 25 startups are showcasing technologies ranging from electrolyser manufacturing to AI optimization and biological hydrogen solutions.
Link to National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)
- This scheme is a part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) launched in 2023 with a budget of ₹19,744 crore, aimed at making India a global hub for green hydrogen.
- NGHM is built on four pillars: policy & regulatory framework, demand creation, R&D & innovation, and enabling infrastructure.
Current R&D Progress & Timeline
- In the first round of R&D proposals, 23 projects were awarded. These projects cover areas such as safety & integration, hydrogen production from biomass, hydrogen applications, and non-biomass production routes.
- The second round of calls for proposals opened on 14 July 2025 and remains open until 15 September 2025.
Pilot Projects & Implementation
- India has begun putting things into practice:
• A port-based green hydrogen pilot is underway at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tamil Nadu.
• Five steel sector pilots are testing hydrogen-based decarbonisation.
• In shipping and transport, vessels are being retrofitted, and hydrogen buses & fueling stations are operational in some places.
Supportive Measures & Enablers
- The government has also put in place standards and certification: a Green Hydrogen Standard and Certification Scheme aligned with over 140 international benchmarks.
- Testing facilities have been sanctioned, and over 5,600 people have been trained in hydrogen-related skills.
- Dedicated hydrogen hubs are planned or being developed at Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin ports to improve export competitiveness.
Targets & Expected Outcomes
- The mission aims for 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production annually by 2030.
- Supporting goals include bringing online 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, achieving ₹8 lakh crore in investment, creating 6 lakh jobs, and reducing CO₂ emissions by 50 million tonnes a year.
Conclusion:
This ₹100 crore scheme marks a meaningful step in India’s green hydrogen journey—connecting innovation with implementation. With significant funding, policy backing, pilot projects, and infrastructure targets, India is moving from planning to execution in hydrogen. The real test will be in how quickly these technologies scale, and whether the startups supported today lead to cleaner cities, stronger exports, and sizeable environmental gains.
