Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik on Friday called on scientists, industry leaders, startups and young researchers to push India to the forefront of green hydrogen innovation, framing the effort as central to growth, competitiveness and climate responsibility.
Speaking at the First R&D Green Hydrogen Conference under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), Naik said India’s early leadership would help domestic industry navigate a world where cross-border carbon rules are being written. “At a time when countries are designing cross-border carbon regulations, India’s leadership in green hydrogen will ensure that our industries remain competitive and future-ready,” he said.
The minister underlined green hydrogen’s role beyond energy transition, noting its potential to power steel, cement, fertiliser, mobility and shipping, reduce import dependence, and create high-value jobs, while positioning India as a key exporter in the emerging global hydrogen economy.
On the state of the research pipeline, Naik said the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has supported more than 200 R&D projects spanning renewables, fuel cells, hydrogen and storage technologies. He added that dedicated funding, testing facilities and incubation programmes are in place to help researchers and innovators move from lab to market. “This conference is a testimony to our collective resolve to make India’s laboratories into launch pads, and our startups into global champions,” he said.
Offering a programmatic view, NGHM Director Abhay Bhakre called green hydrogen “the fuel for the future” and said concerted efforts are underway to position India as a global leader and export hub. He highlighted that over 140 standards have already been published to enable sector growth and provide a common technical foundation for industry and researchers.
Why it matters?
- Competitiveness: With carbon border measures gathering pace globally, an indigenous green hydrogen ecosystem can help Indian manufacturers stay cost-competitive and compliant.
- Industrial depth: Formal standards, testing infrastructure and incubation support indicate a maturing policy-research-industry nexus, vital for scaling breakthrough technologies.
- Jobs & exports: The targeted sectors are heavy industrial and transport mainstays, where green hydrogen adoption can unlock new value chains and export opportunities.
Responsibility on Startups
Naik’s message places clear responsibility on startups and early-career researchers to convert public investment and standards work into deployable products and processes. The emphasis on testing and incubation suggests the next leg of the mission will hinge on pilots, scale-up and supply-chain readiness across priority industries.
Also Read: How Nepal’s Only Billionaire Took Wai Wai From Kathmandu to India
