Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Green hydrogen and ammonia are central to India's energy transition, achieving net-zero targets, enhancing energy security, and developing new industries. UPSC focuses on emerging technologies for sustainable development and their policy implications.
Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources, resulting in zero greenhouse gas emissions during production. Green ammonia is then synthesized from green hydrogen and nitrogen, serving as a crucial derivative for energy storage, transportation, and industrial applications, particularly in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.
Facts & tables
- Production Method (Green H2)
- Electrolysis of water using renewable electricity (solar, wind).
- Production Method (Green NH3)
- Haber-Bosch process using green hydrogen and nitrogen from air.
- Applications
- Energy storage, fuel for shipping/heavy transport, fertilizer production, industrial feedstock.
- India's Initiative
- National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Economy |
| Conceptual area | Environment & Ecology |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) | Formulates policy |
| Niti Aayog | Advisory role |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Produced via electrolysis using renewable energy.
- Ammonia is a key derivative for storage/transport.
- Crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.
- India's National Green Hydrogen Mission.
- Aims for energy security and net-zero targets.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2019 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Indian Economy
Conceptual area
-
Environment & Ecology
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2015
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2026
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Odisha signs memorandum of cooperation for Japan-backed projects worth ₹67,000 crore
Green hydrogen, produced via renewable energy, and its derivative green ammonia, are key decarbonization tools for various sectors, with India actively promoting their development.
See also
Past papers
2015–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Odisha signs memorandum of cooperation for Japan-backed projects worth ₹67,000 crore
Green hydrogen, produced via renewable energy, and its derivative green ammonia, are key decarbonization tools for various sectors, with India actively promoting their development.
Try these PYQs
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 :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Hydrogen obtained from fossil fuels (primarily natural gas) through steam methane reforming, where the resulting carbon emissions are captured and stored using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, is known as Blue Hydrogen, not Green Hydrogen. Statement 2 is Correct: Green Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis, using electricity generated entirely from renewable energy sources (such as solar or wind). It is a completely zero-emission process. Statement 3 is Correct: The National Green Hydrogen Mission launched by the Government of India has set quantified targets for 2030. It aims to develop a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) per annum. This will lead to the abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, alongside reducing fossil fuel imports and creating over 6 lakh jobs. Therefore, the correct option is B.
Consider the following infrastructure sectors:
1. Affordable housing
2. Mass rapid transport
3. Health care
4. Renewable energy
On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?
* In March 2020, Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) was formally established as a stand-alone business unit in the UNOPS governance structure, making UNOPS the first United Nations organisation able to make direct investments from its own balance sheet. * In line with the UNOPS Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, the S3i office will seek to enhance and accelerate the effort of engaging public and private sector investors to work collectively to scale up infrastructure investments and consider co-creating innovative financing options. The UNOPS S3i will continue rolling out the initiative across its three focus-areas- affordable housing- renewable energy- health infrastructure _SK Tip_: _Just think of the option - Rapid Mass Transport. If we generally think, rapid mass transport is not a need or even a necessity while considering sustainable aspects. Had it been mass transport, we would have still given it a thought. But not rapid mass transport._
Consider the following heavy industries :
1. Fertilizer plants
2. Oil refineries
3. Steel plants
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
* Green hydrogen is the hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable sources. * Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing all three of the mentioned heavy industries. * Green hydrogen can be used in the production of ammonia, which is a key component for many fertilizers. Fertilizer production is energy-intensive and often relies on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. By using green hydrogen as a clean energy source, the carbon emissions from this industry can be significantly reduced * Green hydrogen can be used in oil refineries to process crude oil into various products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This can help to reduce the carbon emissions from the refining process. * The steel industry is one of the largest industrial emitters of carbon dioxide. Green hydrogen can be used in place of coal in the steelmaking process, significantly reducing the industry's carbon emissions.
With reference to Direct Air Capture, an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?
I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.
II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.
III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes CO₂ directly from the air for storage or use in various industries. ✅ Statement I is correct:
* DAC captures CO₂ for carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gases. ✅ Statement II is correct:
* Captured CO₂ can be used to make plastics and in food processing. ✅ Statement III is correct:
* DAC provides carbon to make synthetic low-carbon aviation fuels by combining with hydrogen. So, the correct answer is: C
Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana':
I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.
III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a major government initiative to expand rooftop solar adoption in the residential sector, while also building technical capacity across the country. ✅ Statement I: Correct
* The scheme targets the installation of 1 crore solar rooftop panels in households. ✅ Statement II: Correct
* The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE plans to train grassroots-level workers in installation, operation, and maintenance. ✅ Statement III: Correct
* The scheme aims to create over 3 lakh skilled workers through fresh skilling and up-skilling efforts.
Show 3 more PYQs
With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements :
1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Green hydrogen is any hydrogen that is produced from renewable energy. * Statement 1 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used as a direct fuel for internal combustion engines, replacing conventional fuels like gasoline or diesel. * Statement 2 is correct: Green hydrogen can be blended with natural gas and used as a fuel for various applications like heating, power generation, and industrial processes. * Statement 3 is correct: Green hydrogen can be used in hydrogen fuel cells to power electric vehicles, providing a clean and efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Therefore, all three statements regarding the uses of green hydrogen are correct.
With reference to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a Public Limited Government Company.
2. It is a Non – Banking Financial Company.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is a Non-Banking Financial Institution under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for providing term loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Statement 1 is correct: IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company established under the Companies Act, 1956.
Statement 2 is correct: IREDA is also registered as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements :
1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.
4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: While H-CNG significantly reduces carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, it does not eliminate them entirely. Burning hydrogen produces only water vapor, but since H-CNG is a blend of hydrogen and CNG, some CO is still emitted though at lower levels than conventional CNG. Statement 2 is correct: H-CNG is cleaner than CNG, leading to a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. The reduction depends on the specific blend ratio and engine efficiency. Statement 3 is correct: As per Indian government guidelines, up to 18% hydrogen (by volume) can be blended with CNG for use in buses and other vehicles. This blend improves combustion efficiency and reduces emissions. Statement 4 is incorrect: H-CNG is not necessarily cheaper than CNG. The cost is influenced by Hydrogen production methods, Infrastructure development and Blending technology. Therefore, option (B) statements 2 and 3 are correct.