MNRE event in New Delhi on World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

08-10-2026 · English

Topics: Energy · 8 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

For World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day (8 Oct), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) held an event at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, New Delhi. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, was chief guest. Panels discussed hydrogen standards and safety, and a report, 'India's Hydrogen Standards: Gap Assessment and Preliminary Action Framework', was released.

Key facts

Background

• National Green Hydrogen Mission: approved in January 2023 with ₹19,744 crore; target of 5 million metric tonnes a year of green hydrogen capacity by 2030. The 'SIGHT' programme gives incentives for electrolyser making and hydrogen production.
• Hydrogen 'colours': green – from electrolysis of water using renewable power; grey – from natural gas (emits CO₂); blue – grey plus carbon capture.
• Science: in a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce electricity with only water as by-product. Hydrogen is element 1 of the periodic table and the most abundant in the universe.
• Regulators: PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, Nagpur) licenses hydrogen storage safety; BIS sets standards; PNGRB regulates pipelines.
• Goal: net zero by 2070 (COP26 Panchamrit) – replacing grey hydrogen with green in fertiliser, steel and refining.

Tamil Nadu link: V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Thoothukudi, was chosen with Deendayal (Kandla) and Paradip ports to be developed as a green hydrogen hub; green hydrogen and ammonia projects are coming up there.

Source: PSU Watch, 8 Oct 2026; MNRE

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