UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India's First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Train Set to Redefine Sustainable Rail Mobility with Capacity of Around 2,600 Passengers

Q1. With respect to India's first indigenously developed Hydrogen Fuel Cell trainset flagged off on the Jind–Sonipat section in 2026, which one of the following distinctions does it hold?

  • A. It is the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen fuel cell train-set on a broad gauge platform.
  • B. It is the world's first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train to enter commercial service.
  • C. It is the world's fastest hydrogen fuel cell train, with an operational speed exceeding 160 km/h.
  • D. It is the only hydrogen train globally to operate on a narrow gauge heritage line.

Q2. In the configuration of India's hydrogen fuel cell trainset, the term 'Driving Power Car (DPC)' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A coach housing the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system that generates traction power, two of which (1200 kW each) are provided in the 10-coach rake.
  • B. A dedicated tank car that stores compressed hydrogen for the entire rake and carries no propulsion equipment.
  • C. A trailer coach reserved exclusively for passengers with no driving cab or power equipment.
  • D. An external electrolyser wagon that produces green hydrogen on board while the train is in motion.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Hydrogen for Heritage' initiative of Indian Railways: 1. It envisages running 35 hydrogen trains on heritage/hill routes. 2. The estimated cost is about ₹80 crore per train. 3. The ground infrastructure is estimated at about ₹150 crore per route. 4. Its pilot involves retrofitting existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes with hydrogen fuel cells. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It envisages running 35 hydrogen trains on heritage/hill routes.
  2. The estimated cost is about ₹80 crore per train.
  3. The ground infrastructure is estimated at about ₹150 crore per route.
  4. Its pilot involves retrofitting existing Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) rakes with hydrogen fuel cells.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q4. The 'Hydrogen for Heritage' initiative under which 35 hydrogen trains are to be introduced is implemented by which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Railways (Indian Railways)
  • B. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • C. Ministry of Heavy Industries
  • D. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q5. The 2021 bids for a Hydrogen Fuel Cell based train on the Sonipat–Jind section of Northern Railway were invited by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Indian Railways Organisation of Alternative Fuels (IROAF)
  • B. Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE)
  • C. Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO)
  • D. Integral Coach Factory (ICF)

Q6. IROAF, which initiated the hydrogen fuel cell train tender, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The green fuel / alternative fuels vertical of Indian Railways working on energy-efficiency and alternative fuel initiatives.
  • B. A public sector undertaking under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for green hydrogen production.
  • C. The electrification wing of Indian Railways responsible for laying overhead traction lines.
  • D. An autonomous standards body under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for fuel certification.

Q7. Railway electrification — the traction phase that preceded Indian Railways' move to hydrogen — is executed by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE)
  • B. Indian Railways Organisation of Alternative Fuels (IROAF)
  • C. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
  • D. Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL)

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the traction and electrification history of Indian Railways: 1. India's first electric train ran in 1925 between Bombay VT and Kurla. 2. Before 2014, only about 20% of the broad gauge network was electrified. 3. As of 2026, over 99% of the broad gauge network had been electrified. 4. India's broad gauge electrification level is lower than that of China. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's first electric train ran in 1925 between Bombay VT and Kurla.
  2. Before 2014, only about 20% of the broad gauge network was electrified.
  3. As of 2026, over 99% of the broad gauge network had been electrified.
  4. India's broad gauge electrification level is lower than that of China.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q9. The country's largest railway hydrogen storage and refuelling facility, established at Jind (Haryana) for the hydrogen trainset, is capable of storing approximately how much hydrogen at a time?

  • A. About 3,000 kg
  • B. About 300 kg
  • C. About 30,000 kg
  • D. About 1,500 kg

Q10. Consider the following statements comparing India's hydrogen fuel cell trainset with existing hydrogen trains worldwide: 1. Existing hydrogen trains worldwide typically run 2–4 coaches, whereas India's trainset runs 10 coaches. 2. India's trainset has a larger passenger capacity (around 2,600) than existing global hydrogen trains. 3. India's trainset was the world's first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train, preceding Germany's Coradia iLint. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Existing hydrogen trains worldwide typically run 2–4 coaches, whereas India's trainset runs 10 coaches.
  2. India's trainset has a larger passenger capacity (around 2,600) than existing global hydrogen trains.
  3. India's trainset was the world's first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train, preceding Germany's Coradia iLint.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Consider the following statements regarding the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which the hydrogen trainset supports: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2023. 2. Its nodal ministry is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. 3. It targets green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT per annum by 2030. 4. Its principal financial incentive component is named the PLI-Hydrogen scheme. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in January 2023.
  2. Its nodal ministry is the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
  3. It targets green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT per annum by 2030.
  4. Its principal financial incentive component is named the PLI-Hydrogen scheme.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the safety certification and standards of India's hydrogen fuel cell trainset: 1. The independent third-party safety assessment was carried out by TÜV SÜD of Germany. 2. The licence for storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen was granted by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). 3. NFPA-2 is a code of the Bureau of Indian Standards, while ISO 19880 is a German national standard. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The independent third-party safety assessment was carried out by TÜV SÜD of Germany.
  2. The licence for storage and dispensing of compressed hydrogen was granted by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
  3. NFPA-2 is a code of the Bureau of Indian Standards, while ISO 19880 is a German national standard.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3