The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) was launched by the Minister of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Prahlad Joshi, on April 29, 2025. The GHCI is a critical component of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), established to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen (GH2) production, usage, and export. The NGHM, launched on January 4, 2023, with a budget of Rs 19,744 crore, aims to produce five million tonnes of GH2 annually by 2030.
The NGHM supports India’s goal of becoming self-reliant through clean energy, while inspiring the global shift to sustainable energy. It would help decarbonise the economy, cut reliance on fossil fuel imports, and position India as a leader in clean energy technology and markets.
In a major breakthrough, India signed, in April 2025, agreements to supply 4.12 lakh tonnes of GH2 derivatives to Japan and Singapore, strengthening its position as a key global exporter of clean energy.
About the GHCI Scheme
The draft of the GHCI was released in September 2024 and the scheme officially classifies hydrogen as ‘green’ only when its non-biogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stay below two kilograms of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen, averaged over 12 months period. The GHCI establishes strict emission standards, along with rigorous monitoring and transparent verification.
The certification framework aims to enhance credibility and environmental integrity, thereby attracting both domestic and global investment and supporting India’s goals for carbon neutrality and global climate leadership. The implementation is being overseen by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) which acts as the central authority, managing the implementation and oversight of the certification process. Strategic direction is provided by a technical committee led by the mission director of the NGHM.
Certification Process and Types
Under the GHCI, Accredited Carbon Verification (ACV) agencies listed by the BEE are tasked with validating and verifying hydrogen production projects. The GHCI issues four types of certificates:
(i) The voluntary concept certificate confirms that a facility’s design meets the GHCI’s monitoring, reporting, and verification standards. It can be obtained after the design or front-end engineering is approved.
(ii) The facility-level certificate is required for facilities applying for provisional or final hydrogen production certificates. It verifies compliance with monitoring, reporting, and verification standards and confirms that the facility has obtained the necessary statutory clearances like ‘consent to operate’.
(iii) The provisional certificate is optional, automatically generated, and is based on self-reported data covering periods from one to eleven months.
(iv) The final certificate is mandatory in certain situations, such as when producers receive government support in the form of incentives, sell or use hydrogen domestically, or serve both domestic and export markets.
Facilities producing less than 10 tonnes per year or exporting all their output without availing incentives are exempt from final certification, though they must still report emissions in line to the importing country’s regulations.
The GHCI certification applies at the project level for GH2 production and includes all stages up to hydrogen compression and purification for transport. However, it excludes activities beyond the plant boundaries, such as hydrogen transport and storage, conversion into hydrogen carriers, reconversion, and end-use. This ensures that certification focuses strictly on the core production processes.
Once India’s carbon market becomes operational in 2026, these certificates will also become tradable instruments, and will add market value and creating incentives for low-emission hydrogen production.
Approved Production Methods and Emission Accounting
GH2 under GHCI could be produced via two approved methods: (i) Electrolysis, powered by renewable electricity and biomass conversion including emissions from biomass processing and steam generation.
Under the GHCI, emission accounting includes direct and indirect emissions from within the production facility, covering processes like water treatment, electrolysis, purification, compression, and onsite storage. Offsite water treatment emissions may be estimated using default values, while emissions from capital goods and construction are excluded. Inputs such as externally sourced water, oxygen, and solvents are considered in emission calculations. The certificate must also specify the final hydrogen composition and production pressure. Emissions must be reported in kg CO2eq/kg H2 (meaning kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen), and values must be rounded to one decimal place.
Renewable Energy Requirements
Renewable electricity is mandatory for GH2 production under the GHCI. Producers must prove its use through verifiable means like power purchase agreements (PPAs) and load dispatch certificates (LDCs). The energy must be physically sourced, stored or banked with the grid—claims based solely on renewable energy certificates or carbon credits are not permitted.
Data Recording, Monitoring, and Emission Quantification
To ensure transparency, the GHCI requires producers to maintain detailed records for a minimum of five years. These records must cover daily hydrogen production, physical and chemical characteristics, feedstock and energy consumption, sales and conversion into hydrogen carriers, and other relevant inputs. The GHG gas emissions must be calculated following the GHCI methodology or if not specified, using relevant ISO standards. For non-renewable energy sources, emissions must be calculated using the grid emission factor provided by the Central Electricity Authority and transmission and distribution losses must be included.
While commercial details like offtake contracts are not part of the certification, all recorded data is subject to verification by ACV agencies.
Certification Timeline and Compliance Enforcement
The GHCI certification follows a defined timeline, with monthly provisional applications and final submissions by June 30 each year. Review process by the technical committee concludes by September 30. Non-compliance may lead to penalties, certificate withdrawal, disqualification from future cycles or further sanctions for repeated or continued violations. Each GHCI certificate includes a unique ID for every 100 kg of hydrogen, detailing the production year, project data, and emission intensity. These certificates confirm the origin and custody of the hydrogen and allow producers to claim carbon credits if they meet additional requirements under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
The programme is overseen by a monitoring committee, comprising ministry representatives and domain experts who may suggest policy changes and address implementation issues. Additionally, the MNRE has launched a pilot initiative to explore innovative GH2 production and usage methods especially for decentralised, commercial, and residential applications.
Empowering MSME in GH2 Hydrogen Ecosystem
A one-day national workshop on opportunities for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the GH2 supply chain was organised by the MNRE. It aimed at exploring opportunities and discussed key role of MSMEs in the development of GH2 ecosystem in India. More than 300 delegates participated, representing a diverse range of stakeholders, such as MSMEs, policymakers, technology providers, industry associations, and international partners. The MNRE minister, Prahlad Joshi, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to innovation-driven growth, emphasising the pivotal role of MSMEs in India’s energy transition.
International experts and industry leaders highlighted business models and market opportunities, emphasising structured MSME engagement. They showcased biomass-to-hydrogen use cases for rural industries and decentralised models promoting circular economy. Financial institutions, including the World Bank, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, India Infrastructure Finance Company, etc., discussed de-risking, blended finance, creating accessible green credit lines tailored to MSMEs.
The workshop signified a key move towards integrating MSMEs into India’s clean energy transition, reflecting MNRE’s commitment to an inclusive, tech-driven, and decentralised GH2 economy.
Participants stressed the importance of standardised protocols, collaborative innovation platforms and forming GH2 clusters to help MSMEs scale efficiently. They further underscored the need for clear demand signals and stable long-term policies to attract private investment. Experts highlighted India’s potential as a manufacturing hub for electrolysers and fuel cells.
Way forward
As nations accelerate GH2 production to meet net-zero goals, India’s structured adoption of a formal certification system of green hydrogen through the GHCI aligns with global best practices. It also enhances investor confidence and offers a clear framework for renewable energy developers, industrial users, and exporters to meet international trade requirements.
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