PARLIAMENT QUESTION: GREEN HYDROGEN AND BIO-MANUFACTURING
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: GREEN HYDROGEN AND BIO-MANUFACTURING
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has achieved significant indigenous breakthroughs across the green hydrogen value chain through mission-mode and industry-collaborative programmes. This includes the development and demonstration of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks that have powered India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell bus and inland waterway vessel. Further, development of Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM), Electrolyzer Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), Electrolyzer and Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) electrolyzers, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage systems with a focus on indigenization and cost reduction has been going on. CSIR has additionally developed a solar-assisted bio-electrochemical process for green hydrogen production from wastewater at pilot scale, enabling decentralized hydrogen generation with simultaneous wastewater treatment.
The Bio-RIDE (Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development) scheme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is being implemented with an outlay of Rs. 9,197 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, covering three key components:
The Bio-RIDE scheme integrates and scales up support provided under earlier DBT initiatives, thereby strengthening continuity across the biotechnology innovation value chain. Under its Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry component, the scheme supports the establishment and strengthening of shared biomanufacturing infrastructure, pilot- and demonstration-scale facilities, biofoundries, and automation platforms to enable scale-up and commercialization of bio-based products.
DBT also supported network and consortia-based research and demonstration projects aimed at advancing net-zero-oriented green hydrogen pathways through biological routes. Large-scale cultivation of Azolla in wastewater has enabled simultaneous nutrient recovery and the generation of value-added biomass suitable for biohydrogen production. Additionally, aquatic plant biomass and deoiled algal biomass have been used as potential second- and third-generation feedstocks for pilot-scale biohydrogen production.
Further, DBT through the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) also supports startups, MSMEs, and academia–industry collaborations for the development, validation, and manufacturing of biotechnology solutions.
The Government of India is implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), with an objective to make India a global hub of production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
The revised scheme guidelines for setting up the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) and Green Hydrogen Hubs in India under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) have already been issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Under Component A of the scheme, i.e., Hydrogen Valley Innovation cluster (HVIC), four projects have been awarded to be developed as Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVICS), namely, Jodhpur hydrogen valley, Odisha hydrogen valley, Pune hydrogen valley, and Kerala hydrogen valley.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha on 12th February 2026.
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- Biotechnology Research & Development (R&D),
- Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED), and
- Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry