UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Mission documents state that India aims to develop at least 5 MMT per annum of green hydrogen production capacity by 2030. To supply this, about 125 GW of additional renewable energy capacity will be needed, creating a large clean-power ecosystem. This mission is expected to cut fossil fuel imports, abate around 50 MMT of CO₂ annually and generate substantial investments and employment. (hareda.gov.in)

Option A:
This option correctly states the numerical production target and its linkage to large-scale renewable capacity, matching official descriptions of the mission.

Option B:
This option understates both the scale of hydrogen production and the renewable energy requirement, and therefore does not match the approved mission.

Option C:
Producing hydrogen from coal does not qualify as green hydrogen and contradicts the decarbonisation objective; no such 50-MMT coal-based target has been announced.

Option D:
The mission explicitly sets quantitative goals; it is not restricted to small pilots with no numbers.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission sets a target of developing at least 5 MMT of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030. Achieving this will require substantial new renewable energy capacity, as green hydrogen must be produced from low-carbon electricity. The mission is expected to support decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors, enhance energy security and create new industrial and employment opportunities. It is thus a key pillar of India’s long-term low-emission development strategy. (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)

Option A:
This option significantly understates the ambition of the mission and does not match official documents, which clearly mention a much higher target.

Option B:
This option also falls short of the target and is not supported by policy announcements. While 2 MMT would be a substantial amount, it is below the mission’s stated goal.

Option C:
This option correctly reflects the quantitative target and the link to additional renewable capacity. It recognises that green hydrogen is intended to be produced at large scale from clean power to deliver multiple co-benefits.

Option D:
A 50 MMT target with “no need for renewable power” contradicts the very definition of green hydrogen, which requires low-carbon electricity. Such a figure is not part of current Indian plans.

The SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) scheme is a core part of the mission. It offers incentives for setting up domestic electrolyser manufacturing capacity and for producing green hydrogen and its derivatives. These incentives aim to lower costs and support decarbonisation of sectors such as fertilisers, refining and steel, where direct electrification is challenging. By boosting local industry, the scheme also creates jobs and reduces technology dependence.

Option A:
This option is incorrect because grey hydrogen from natural gas without capture is emissions-intensive and not the target of green-hydrogen policies.

Option B:
This option correctly identifies domestic electrolysers and green hydrogen/ammonia production as the objects of SIGHT incentives and links them to industrial decarbonisation.

Option C:
Subsidising coal mines would contradict the mission’s purpose of promoting low-carbon fuels, so this option is not valid.

Option D:
Diesel-based captive plants increase emissions and are not supported by the green-hydrogen mission.