UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government announces standards of Green Ammonia and Green Methanol for India to accelerate trade of Green Hydrogen derivatives

Q1. India's standards classifying ammonia and methanol as 'Green' (notified in 2026) operationalise the certification and export framework of which one of the following missions?

  • A. National Solar Mission
  • B. National Green Hydrogen Mission
  • C. National Bioenergy Programme
  • D. PM-KUSUM Scheme

Q2. Under the 2026 standard, what is the maximum permissible non-biogenic greenhouse-gas emission for ammonia to qualify as 'Green Ammonia'?

  • A. 0.38 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of ammonia
  • B. 0.44 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of ammonia
  • C. 2.0 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of ammonia
  • D. 1.6 kg CO2 equivalent per kg of ammonia

Q3. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which programme provides the financial incentives for domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production?

  • A. FAME
  • B. PLI for Specialty Steel
  • C. SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition)
  • D. VGF (Viability Gap Funding) Scheme

Q4. Of the components funded under the National Green Hydrogen Mission's Rs 19,744 crore outlay, which one has the single largest allocation?

  • A. Pilot projects
  • B. Research & Development
  • C. SIGHT programme
  • D. Other Mission components

Q5. As per India's Green Hydrogen definition, the well-to-gate emission of hydrogen must not exceed how many kilograms of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen?

  • A. 0.38
  • B. 2
  • C. 4
  • D. 2.4

Q6. In the evolution of India's green standards stack, an emission-threshold standard was first notified for which one of the following?

  • A. Green Hydrogen
  • B. Green Ammonia
  • C. Green Methanol
  • D. Green Steel

Q7. With reference to the role of Green Ammonia and Green Methanol as Green Hydrogen derivatives, consider the following statements: 1. Green Ammonia can serve as a carrier for transporting hydrogen owing to its higher volumetric energy density and mature handling. 2. The 2026 standards are intended to enable certification, trade and export of these derivatives. 3. Markets such as the EU, Japan and Korea are identified as potential off-take destinations. 4. To qualify as 'Green', the derivatives must be synthesised using grey hydrogen. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Green Ammonia can serve as a carrier for transporting hydrogen owing to its higher volumetric energy density and mature handling.
  2. The 2026 standards are intended to enable certification, trade and export of these derivatives.
  3. Markets such as the EU, Japan and Korea are identified as potential off-take destinations.
  4. To qualify as 'Green', the derivatives must be synthesised using grey hydrogen.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q8. Which one of the following agencies issued the Request for Selection of Green Ammonia producers under the SIGHT Programme to decarbonise the fertilizer sector?

  • A. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)
  • B. NTPC Green Energy Limited
  • C. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
  • D. NLC India Limited

Q9. Which ministry is the nodal authority that notifies the Green Hydrogen definition and the Green Ammonia/Green Methanol derivative standards under the National Green Hydrogen Mission?

  • A. Ministry of Power
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • D. Ministry of Heavy Industries

Q10. With reference to the institutional responsibility for India's green energy standards and policy, consider the following statements: 1. MNRE notified India's Green Hydrogen definition in 2023. 2. MNRE notified the Green Ammonia and Green Methanol standards in 2026. 3. The 2022 Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy was notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. 4. MNRE is the implementing ministry of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. MNRE notified India's Green Hydrogen definition in 2023.
  2. MNRE notified the Green Ammonia and Green Methanol standards in 2026.
  3. The 2022 Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy was notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  4. MNRE is the implementing ministry of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q11. In the context of the 2026 standards, which one of the following best describes 'Green Methanol'?

  • A. Methanol synthesised from coal through gasification with subsequent purification
  • B. Methanol produced using Green Hydrogen combined with CO2 sourced from biogenic, Direct Air Capture or existing industrial sources
  • C. Methanol manufactured from natural gas reforming fitted with carbon capture and storage
  • D. Conventional methanol physically blended with bio-ethanol to lower its carbon content

Q12. With reference to the chronology of India's hydrogen policy milestones, consider the following statements: 1. The National Hydrogen Mission was announced in the Prime Minister's 2021 Independence Day address. 2. The Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023. 3. India's Green Hydrogen definition (not more than 2 kg CO2e/kg H2) was notified in 2023. 4. The Green Ammonia and Green Methanol standards were notified in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The National Hydrogen Mission was announced in the Prime Minister's 2021 Independence Day address.
  2. The Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023.
  3. India's Green Hydrogen definition (not more than 2 kg CO2e/kg H2) was notified in 2023.
  4. The Green Ammonia and Green Methanol standards were notified in 2024.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4