Examine the role of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in India's energy transition and transport sector decarbonisation.

Q. Examine the role of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in India's energy transition and transport sector decarbonisation. (15 marks, 250 words)

Launched in January 2023 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy with a ₹19,744 crore outlay, the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) seeks to make India a global hub for green hydrogen—produced via electrolysis using renewable power [1]. It is central to India's pledge of net-zero by 2070 and to decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like transport.

Role in energy transition - Renewable scale-up: targets 5 MMT green hydrogen annually by 2030, adding ~125 GW renewable capacity, deepening the clean-energy base [1]. - Import substitution: displaces fossil-fuel and ammonia imports, strengthening energy security and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal [1]. - Industrial decarbonisation: enables green feedstock for refining, steel and fertiliser via the SIGHT incentive programme [1].

Role in transport decarbonisation - Zero-emission mobility: pilot funds under NGHM support fuel-cell transport; India's first hydrogen train (Jind–Sonipat, 89 km, ~2,600 capacity) was flagged off on 17 July 2026, emitting only water vapour [2][3]. - Non-electrified routes: hydrogen traction replaces diesel where overhead electrification is unviable—heritage and hill lines under "Hydrogen for Heritage" (35 trains) [4]. - Ecosystem creation: on-site electrolysis plants and India's largest rail refuelling facility at Jind demonstrate integrated supply chains [3].

Challenges: high initial production and running costs, storage/safety concerns, and technology dependence temper near-term scaling [3].

NGHM thus anchors India's twin goals of energy sovereignty and low-carbon transport. Sustained cost reduction, domestic electrolyser manufacturing and demand aggregation can convert these pilots into a scalable decarbonisation pathway, advancing SDG-7 and SDG-13.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. National Green Hydrogen Mission — MNRE — outlay, 5 MMT / 125 GW targets, SIGHT, import substitution 2. PM lays foundation stone and dedicates development projects in Jind, Haryana — PIB — flagging off of first hydrogen train, Jind facility 3. India's First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train — PIB — route, capacity, on-site electrolysis, higher running costs 4. Indian Railways to run 35 Hydrogen trains under "Hydrogen for Heritage" — PIB — heritage/hill-route deployment