UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi Launches Green Hydrogen Certification Portal to Enhance Transparency in Green Hydrogen Sector

Q1. With reference to India's Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) and the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal launched by the Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy, consider the following statements: 1. The GHCI Scheme was notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2025, whereas the GHCI Portal was operationalised in June 2026 as the digital backbone for certification. 2. Both the GHCI Scheme and the National Green Hydrogen Mission designate the Bureau of Energy Efficiency as the sole implementing ministry for green hydrogen in India. 3. Under the GHCI framework, only hydrogen produced exclusively through electrolysis using renewable electricity qualifies as 'green', and biomass-based pathways are excluded. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The GHCI Scheme was notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in 2025, whereas the GHCI Portal was operationalised in June 2026 as the digital backbone for certification.
  2. Both the GHCI Scheme and the National Green Hydrogen Mission designate the Bureau of Energy Efficiency as the sole implementing ministry for green hydrogen in India.
  3. Under the GHCI framework, only hydrogen produced exclusively through electrolysis using renewable electricity qualifies as 'green', and biomass-based pathways are excluded.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI), which one of the following has been designated as the nodal authority for accrediting agencies responsible for monitoring, verification and certification of green hydrogen projects?

  • A. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
  • B. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
  • C. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
  • D. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)

Q3. Which one of the following Union Ministries is responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of 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 Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q4. Within the total outlay of ₹19,744 crore approved for the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which one of the following components has been allocated the largest share?

  • A. Pilot projects
  • B. Research and Development (R&D)
  • C. Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme
  • D. Other mission components, including state-level initiatives and skill development

Q5. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, which has been designated as the nodal authority for accreditation under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India, is a statutory body established under which one of the following?

  • A. The Electricity Act, 2003
  • B. The Energy Conservation Act, 2001
  • C. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • D. A 2023 Cabinet resolution approving the National Green Hydrogen Mission

Q6. With reference to India's Green Hydrogen Standard and the Green Ammonia Standard notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Green Hydrogen Standard, the well-to-gate non-biogenic greenhouse gas emission threshold is 2 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of hydrogen, taken as an average of the preceding 12 months. 2. The Green Hydrogen Standard applies exclusively to hydrogen produced through water electrolysis and explicitly excludes biomass conversion routes. 3. The Green Ammonia Standard prescribes a threshold of 0.38 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of ammonia, again calculated as a 12-month average. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Green Hydrogen Standard, the well-to-gate non-biogenic greenhouse gas emission threshold is 2 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of hydrogen, taken as an average of the preceding 12 months.
  2. The Green Hydrogen Standard applies exclusively to hydrogen produced through water electrolysis and explicitly excludes biomass conversion routes.
  3. The Green Ammonia Standard prescribes a threshold of 0.38 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of ammonia, again calculated as a 12-month average.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. As per the Green Hydrogen Standard for India notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, which one of the following statements best defines 'Green Hydrogen'?

  • A. Hydrogen produced exclusively through water electrolysis powered by solar photovoltaic electricity, with zero greenhouse gas emissions at the point of production.
  • B. Hydrogen produced from renewable sources whose non-biogenic well-to-gate greenhouse gas emissions do not exceed 2 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of hydrogen, averaged over the preceding 12 months.
  • C. Hydrogen produced from natural gas via steam methane reforming coupled with carbon capture, utilisation and storage, keeping emissions below 4 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of hydrogen.
  • D. Hydrogen produced through any route whose entire lifecycle emissions, including downstream combustion, are strictly below 1 kg CO2-equivalent per kg of hydrogen.

Q8. In India, the official definition that classifies hydrogen as 'Green' — namely, non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions not exceeding 2 kg CO₂-equivalent per kg of H₂ (averaged over 12 months) — was notified under which one of the following?

  • A. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022
  • B. The National Green Hydrogen Mission approved by the Union Cabinet in 2023
  • C. The National Action Plan on Climate Change, 2008
  • D. The Electricity (Amendment) Rules notified under the Electricity Act, 2003

Q9. Which one of the following is the nodal accreditation authority designated by the Government of India for certifying hydrogen as 'Green' (i.e., distinguishing it from grey, blue or pink hydrogen) under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India?

  • A. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
  • B. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
  • C. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
  • D. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

Q10. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, under which the State-level Green Hydrogen policies highlighted at the June 2026 launch of the GHCI Portal are being coordinated, was approved by the Union Cabinet in which year?

  • A. 2021
  • B. 2022
  • C. 2023
  • D. 2024

Q11. With reference to the State-level engagement on Green Hydrogen as announced at the National Workshop accompanying the launch of the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI) in June 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Six States have notified dedicated Green Hydrogen policies. 2. Seven States have integrated hydrogen-related provisions into their existing industrial / renewable energy frameworks. 3. Four additional States are in the process of finalising their Green Hydrogen policy measures. 4. The Ministry of Power has been designated as the implementing ministry of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Six States have notified dedicated Green Hydrogen policies.
  2. Seven States have integrated hydrogen-related provisions into their existing industrial / renewable energy frameworks.
  3. Four additional States are in the process of finalising their Green Hydrogen policy measures.
  4. The Ministry of Power has been designated as the implementing ministry of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. With reference to water electrolyser technologies used for producing green hydrogen, consider the following statements: 1. Alkaline electrolysers use a liquid alkaline solution, typically potassium hydroxide (KOH), as the electrolyte. 2. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers typically operate at very high temperatures in the range of 700-850°C. 3. Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cells (SOEC) require high-grade heat input and are less flexible when coupled with variable renewable energy sources. 4. PEM electrolysers employ noble-metal catalysts such as iridium and platinum. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Alkaline electrolysers use a liquid alkaline solution, typically potassium hydroxide (KOH), as the electrolyte.
  2. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers typically operate at very high temperatures in the range of 700-850°C.
  3. Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cells (SOEC) require high-grade heat input and are less flexible when coupled with variable renewable energy sources.
  4. PEM electrolysers employ noble-metal catalysts such as iridium and platinum.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q13. With reference to the comparison among alkaline, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC) technologies used for producing green hydrogen, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike alkaline electrolysers which use a liquid electrolyte, PEM electrolysers use a solid polymer membrane as the electrolyte. 2. SOEC electrolysers operate at significantly higher temperatures than both alkaline and PEM electrolysers. 3. Compared to alkaline and PEM electrolysers, SOEC electrolysers are better suited for direct coupling with variable renewable electricity sources such as wind and solar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike alkaline electrolysers which use a liquid electrolyte, PEM electrolysers use a solid polymer membrane as the electrolyte.
  2. SOEC electrolysers operate at significantly higher temperatures than both alkaline and PEM electrolysers.
  3. Compared to alkaline and PEM electrolysers, SOEC electrolysers are better suited for direct coupling with variable renewable electricity sources such as wind and solar.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q14. With reference to the certification of green/renewable hydrogen in India and the European Union, consider the following statements: 1. India's Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCI) makes a 'Final Certificate' mandatory for facilities that either receive central or state incentives or sell hydrogen for domestic consumption. 2. The European Union's RFNBO framework requires renewable hydrogen to achieve at least 50% greenhouse gas-emissions savings compared to a fossil-fuel comparator to qualify as renewable. 3. CertifHy, which administers the EC-recognised EU RFNBO Voluntary Scheme, has been certifying renewable hydrogen in Europe since 2014. 4. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the designated nodal authority for accreditation of monitoring, verification and certification agencies under GHCI. Which of the statements given above are NOT correct?

  1. India's Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCI) makes a 'Final Certificate' mandatory for facilities that either receive central or state incentives or sell hydrogen for domestic consumption.
  2. The European Union's RFNBO framework requires renewable hydrogen to achieve at least 50% greenhouse gas-emissions savings compared to a fossil-fuel comparator to qualify as renewable.
  3. CertifHy, which administers the EC-recognised EU RFNBO Voluntary Scheme, has been certifying renewable hydrogen in Europe since 2014.
  4. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the designated nodal authority for accreditation of monitoring, verification and certification agencies under GHCI.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only