Official Question UPSC 2026
Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS). 2. It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. 3. National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Select the answer using the code given below :
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Let us clarify the terminology and targets under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) guidelines:
•Statement 1 is Incorrect: This statement provides the exact technical definition for Blue Hydrogen. Blue hydrogen is extracted from fossil fuels (natural gas via steam methane reforming), and the resulting carbon dioxide emissions are trapped using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) tech. It is not "Green" hydrogen.
•Statement 2 is Correct: Green Hydrogen is the gold standard for clean fuel. It is produced by splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called electrolysis. Crucially, the electricity powering this electrolyser must be generated entirely from renewable energy sources (solar, wind), resulting in a zero-emission lifecycle.
•Statement 3 is Correct: The National Green Hydrogen Mission is a flagship decarbonization initiative. One of its quantified, stated targets is to build a production capacity of 5 MMT per annum, which will directly lead to the abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Conclusion: Statements 2 and 3 are factually accurate.