National Institute of Solar Energy Invites Start-Ups To Pioneer Green Hydrogen Pilot Projects Under National Mission
Representational image. Credit: Canva
The National Institute of Solar Energy has announced a call for proposals to support pilot projects on innovative Green Hydrogen technologies. This initiative is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched on January 4, 2023, with a total outlay of ₹19,744 crore. The mission is aimed at positioning India as a global hub for the production, use, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. It is also focused on making the country self-reliant in clean energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports, and moving towards decarbonization. Green Hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced using renewable energy, with emissions not exceeding 2 kilograms of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen.
The current call for proposals falls under Part B of a larger scheme and is targeted specifically at start-ups working on innovative production and utilization technologies for Green Hydrogen. A total of ₹100 crore has been allocated under this part, with a maximum of ₹5 crore available per pilot project. To qualify, the applicant must be a start-up recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, be an Indian entity with at least 51 percent Indian shareholding, and have a Technology Readiness Level of 3 to 4, with the potential to scale to TRL 6 to 8 during the project period.
The objective is to identify and support pilot projects that focus on decentralized production and utilization of Green Hydrogen. This includes replacing fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based feedstocks in residential, commercial, and community applications. It also covers new applications such as off-road vehicles used in construction and mining. The projects are expected to provide insights into operational issues, regulations, and infrastructure challenges, thereby preparing the ground for large-scale commercial deployment. Another important aim is to promote indigenous development of technology and enhance self-reliance in this critical energy segment.
The scope of projects under the scheme is wide-ranging. Focus areas include Green Hydrogen production, storage, transportation, safety, and applications in multiple sectors. Examples of eligible projects include seawater electrolysis processes with minimal environmental impact, new methods for high-efficiency hydrogen generation, and advanced membranes for electrolyzers. Other possibilities are modular hydrogen pipelines, use of digital twins for supply chain logistics, and innovative uses of hydrogen in aviation, turbines, and combined heat and power systems.
Funding will be provided in four stages: 20 percent on award of the project, 20 percent on reaching 25 percent completion, 50 percent on reaching 75 percent completion, and the remaining 10 percent at the end of the project. Proposals will be reviewed by the Project Appraisal Committee, chaired by the Mission Director of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and its decision will be final regarding eligibility, selection, and financial support. Proposals must be submitted by October 13, 2025, in both scanned and hard copy formats. Each start-up can submit only one proposal and must nominate a Project Leader who is either a shareholder or founder and holds at least an undergraduate degree.
The selected start-ups will receive support for two years, extendable by another year depending on performance. They must share knowledge and findings through reports, workshops, and publications. Intellectual property rights for the projects will be owned by the contributing parties based on their share of work, with the Government of India retaining the right to a royalty-free license. This initiative is expected to accelerate the growth of India’s Green Hydrogen ecosystem and strengthen the country’s clean energy ambitions.