Union Minister Pralhad Joshi unveiled a Rs 100-crore initiative designed to assist startups in advancing green hydrogen production innovations.

"This initiative will offer funding of up to Rs 5 crore for each project focused on pilot programs for cutting-edge hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and application technologies," Joshi announced during the inaugural Green Hydrogen R&D Conference.

The two-day event features 25 startups displaying their breakthrough technologies, spanning from electrolyzer development to artificial intelligence-powered optimization and biological hydrogen solutions.

Joshi stressed that the conference serves a purpose beyond idea exchange, aiming to convert research into actionable solutions capable of energizing industries, purifying urban areas, and generating hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities throughout India.

He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, who introduced the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023, with the goal of revolutionizing India's energy sector and establishing the nation as a worldwide center for green hydrogen.

Also Read: Semicon India 2025: Designing A Self-Reliant Semiconductor Hub

The Mission operates with a budget of Rs 19,744 crore and is built upon four foundation elements: Policy and Regulatory Framework, Demand Creation, R&D and Innovation, and Enabling Infrastructure.

When discussing advancements in research and development, the minister noted that the specialized R&D program within NGHM has already granted funding to 23 projects during its initial phase.

Also Read: 5 Budget-Friendly Water Purifiers for this Monsoon

These projects encompass critical sectors including safety and integration, biomass-based hydrogen production, hydrogen implementations, and alternative non-biomass hydrogen generation methods.

Prominent IITs, IISERs, CSIR laboratories, and industry collaborators are executing these initiatives. The second phase of R&D proposals, which began on July 14 this year, continues to accept submissions until September 15.

On the global stage, partnerships are growing through the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, which has received more than 30 collaborative proposals focused on hydrogen generation from wastewater.

Also Read: Chameleon Phones, Solar Charging Laptops, AI Ring - MWC 2025

Joshi emphasized that India's green hydrogen framework is transitioning from concept to implementation. The nation's inaugural port-based green hydrogen demonstration project has commenced at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu.