Evaluate the progress and challenges of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in achieving India's net-zero commitments.

Q. Evaluate the progress and challenges of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in achieving India's net-zero commitments. (15 marks, 250 words)

Launched in January 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) seeks to make India a global hub for green hydrogen and anchor its Panchamrit net-zero-by-2070 pledge [1]. Evaluating its trajectory reveals real momentum alongside structural hurdles.

Progress achieved - Policy architecture: dedicated funding via the SIGHT programme incentivising electrolyser manufacturing and hydrogen production [1]. - Demonstrable deployment: India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell trainset (10 coaches, 2×1200 kW, 75 kmph) flagged off on the Jind–Sonipat section, emitting only water vapour, backed by an indigenous green-hydrogen plant at Jind [2]. - Diversified pilots: hydrogen buses/trucks and the "Hydrogen for Heritage" plan for 35 hydrogen trains, plus indigenous fuel-cell bus (KPIT-CSIR, Pune) and Varanasi vessel [2]. - Projected gains: ~50 MMT/annum CO₂ cut and ~₹1 lakh crore in fossil-fuel import savings by 2030 [1].

Persisting challenges - High production cost of green hydrogen versus grey hydrogen and diesel, limiting commercial scaling. - Renewable-energy dependence: the 5 MMT target needs ~125 GW of added RE capacity, straining grid and land [1]. - Infrastructure gaps in storage, refuelling and transport of a highly flammable fuel. - Pilot-to-scale gap: projects remain demonstrative; multi-agency coordination (Railways/IROAF and MNRE) remains untested at scale.

The Mission has moved decisively from policy to visible deployment, yet cost economics and infrastructure remain binding constraints. Sustained R&D, demand aggregation and cost-reduction—aligned with the 500 GW non-fossil-by-2030 goal—can convert this promising start into a credible net-zero pathway.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), PIB — ₹19,744 crore outlay, SIGHT programme, 5 MMT/125 GW targets, 50 MMT CO₂ and ₹1 lakh crore import-saving projections 2. India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train: Advancing Green Rail Mobility, PIB — Jind–Sonipat trainset specifications, water-vapour emission, Jind hydrogen plant, "Hydrogen for Heritage" 35-train plan, allied hydrogen mobility pilots