UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Exhaust of 3,000 Litres of Diesel Replaced with Just Water Vapours: The Story of India's Hydrogen Train

Question 1

The pilot project to operationalise India's first hydrogen fuel cell train on the Jind–Sonipat section was executed by Indian Railways primarily through which one of the following bodies?

Accepted Answer

Indian Railways Organisation of Alternative Fuels (IROAF)

Answer

Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO)

Answer

Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE)

Answer

Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai

Question 2

With reference to India's first hydrogen fuel cell train, consider the following statements:
1. It was flagged off on the Jind–Sonipat section of the Northern Railway in July 2026.
2. It has a 10-coach configuration and was designed, engineered and integrated in India.
3. Its supporting hydrogen storage and refuelling facility, the country's largest railway hydrogen facility, is located at Sonipat.
4. It runs on the metre-gauge network as a retrofitted electric multiple unit.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Question 3

India's NaMo Green Rail is described as among the world's most powerful hydrogen train-sets on broad gauge on account of a total propulsion power rating of about:

Accepted Answer

2,400 kW (≈3,200 HP)

Answer

1,600 kW

Answer

4,500 kW

Answer

800 kW

Question 4

The claim that NaMo Green Rail is the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen train-set 'on broad gauge' refers to its operation on track of which rail-to-rail width?

Accepted Answer

1,676 mm

Answer

1,435 mm

Answer

1,000 mm

Answer

762 mm

Question 5

Regarding the working of the hydrogen fuel cell system on India's hydrogen train, consider the following statements:
1. In the fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to generate electricity that propels the train.
2. The only by-product of the reaction, emitted during operation, is water vapour.
3. The train continuously draws traction power from overhead electric lines.
4. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries support the fuel-cell power system on board.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Question 6

Consider the following statements comparing a hydrogen fuel cell train with conventional trains:
1. Unlike a diesel-electric train, a hydrogen fuel cell train has zero tailpipe carbon emissions.
2. Unlike a conventional electric train, a hydrogen fuel cell train does not require continuous overhead electrification.
3. Unlike a diesel train, a hydrogen fuel cell train generates significantly greater noise during operation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 7

With reference to the 'Hydrogen for Heritage' initiative of Indian Railways, consider the following statements:
1. Indian Railways plans to run 35 hydrogen trains under the initiative.
2. Each hydrogen train under the scheme is estimated to cost about ₹80 crore.
3. Ground infrastructure per route is estimated at about ₹70 crore.
4. Field trials of the first prototype on the Jind–Sonipat section were expected to commence in 2028–29.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 4 only

Question 8

The 'Hydrogen for Heritage' initiative for running hydrogen trains on heritage/hill routes is implemented under the administrative authority of which one of the following Union Ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Railways

Answer

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Answer

Ministry of Heavy Industries

Answer

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Question 9

The 2021 IROAF tender for India's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell based train was floated for which railway section (about 89 km), which later became the site of India's first hydrogen train?

Accepted Answer

Sonipat–Jind

Answer

Rewari–Rohtak

Answer

Kalka–Shimla

Answer

Kazipet–Vijayawada

Question 10

The indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility at Jind — the country's largest railway hydrogen facility — can store nearly how much hydrogen at a time?

Accepted Answer

~3,000 kg

Answer

~300 kg

Answer

~30,000 kg

Answer

~500 kg

Question 11

With reference to green hydrogen and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, consider the following statements:
1. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable energy sources.
2. The Mission was approved with an outlay of about ₹19,744 crore.
3. The Mission targets green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT per annum by 2030.
4. The Mission is administered by the Ministry of Railways.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 12

With reference to the world's first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train, consider the following statements:
1. The world's first hydrogen fuel cell passenger train, the Coradia iLint, entered service in Germany.
2. It began commercial passenger service in the year 2018.
3. It was first deployed in the German state of Lower Saxony.
4. It was manufactured by the Japanese company Hitachi.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

3 and 4 only

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Exhaust of 3,000 Litres of Diesel Replaced with Just Water Vapours: The Story of India's Hydrogen Train

Q1. The pilot project to operationalise India's first hydrogen fuel cell train on the Jind–Sonipat section was executed by Indian Railways primarily through which one of the following bodies?

Q3. India's NaMo Green Rail is described as among the world's most powerful hydrogen train-sets on broad gauge on account of a total propulsion power rating of about:

Q4. The claim that NaMo Green Rail is the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen train-set 'on broad gauge' refers to its operation on track of which rail-to-rail width?

Q8. The 'Hydrogen for Heritage' initiative for running hydrogen trains on heritage/hill routes is implemented under the administrative authority of which one of the following Union Ministries?

Q9. The 2021 IROAF tender for India's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell based train was floated for which railway section (about 89 km), which later became the site of India's first hydrogen train?

Q10. The indigenous hydrogen storage and refuelling facility at Jind — the country's largest railway hydrogen facility — can store nearly how much hydrogen at a time?