India has launched a major new funding initiative to accelerate the production of green hydrogen from biomass and other alternative feedstocks, with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council announcing support under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The programme makes available INR 100 crore to back pilot-scale demonstration projects, reflecting India’s push to diversify hydrogen production pathways beyond conventional electrolysis.
The initiative places strong emphasis on biomass-based hydrogen production, recognizing the potential of agricultural residues, forestry waste, municipal solid waste, and industrial organic by-products as viable feedstocks. Alongside biomass, the programme also supports innovative approaches such as wastewater-based hydrogen production and integration with floating solar systems, aiming to test solutions suited to India’s diverse regional resources.
Funding of up to INR 25 crore per project is available, with higher levels of support for private sector applicants and full equipment cost coverage for eligible government organisations within the overall cap. Supported technologies must already be validated at laboratory scale, ensuring that funded projects focus on near-term demonstration rather than early-stage research.
Selected projects will be required to establish pilot facilities and operate them within an 18-month timeframe, generating real-world performance data. Proposals that identify clear end-users for the hydrogen produced are expected to be more competitive, as the programme prioritizes pathways with practical applications and market relevance.
The scheme is open to a wide range of Indian entities, including companies, startups, academic institutions, and joint ventures, and follows a structured evaluation process combining administrative screening, technical assessment, and final approval at the national mission level. Oversight mechanisms tie funding disbursement to milestones, while allowing project developers to retain any revenue generated during the pilot phase.
Overall, the programme is designed to generate critical evidence on the feasibility, safety, scalability, and commercial potential of biomass-to-hydrogen technologies. By supporting pilot projects at meaningful scale, the initiative aims to inform future policy, enable large-scale deployment, and advance India’s broader goals of clean energy transition, waste management, and global leadership in green hydrogen.
