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Green Hydrogen Mission: Targets, Certification, Infrastructure, and Strategic Interventions           Key Takeaways     India targets 5 MMT of Green Hydrogen production annually by 2030. A port-based Green Hydrogen pilot has been commissioned at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, and Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla has commissioned a megawatt-scale, indigenous Green Hydrogen Facility Hydrogen mobility pilots launched across 10 routes, involving 37 fuel cell and hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles. The Mission is expected to attract over ₹8 lakh crore in investments and reduce fossil fuel imports by more than ₹1 lakh crore.         1. India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, strengthening energy security, supporting industrial growth, and decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors nationwide. 2. Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis powered by renewable electricity; it qualifies when lifecycle emissions remain within 2 kg CO2-equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen produced. 3. A national green hydrogen programme launched in 2023 with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore through 2029–30, covering incentives, pilots, research, and ecosystem development. 4. By 2030, around 125 GW of new renewable capacity is planned to support hydrogen, with investment exceeding ₹8 lakh crore and an estimated 6 lakh jobs. 5. The programme targets reducing fossil fuel imports by over ₹1 lakh crore and avoiding nearly 50 million tonnes of greenhouse emissions annually by 2030. 6. As of May 2025, nineteen companies received allocations totalling 862,000 tonnes per year of hydrogen capacity, while fifteen firms secured 3,000 MW electrolyser manufacturing capacity. 7. Strategic interventions provide financial incentives up to 2029–30, with ₹17,490 crore to scale domestic electrolyser manufacturing and accelerate deployment nationwide. 8. Three ports—Deendayal, V.O. Chidambaranar, and Paradip—were identified as hydrogen hubs to integrate production, consumption, logistics, and future export pathways. 9. A certification scheme launched in April 2025 verifies lifecycle emissions and renewable sourcing; a final certificate is required for subsidised or domestically sold hydrogen. 10. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency serves as nodal authority, accrediting agencies to monitor and certify projects, improving transparency, traceability, and market credibility. 11. A strategic innovation partnership promotes government–industry–academia collaboration through consortia across the value chain, leveraging national research and engineering institutions. 12. A ₹400 crore R&D scheme supports 23 projects on production, storage, safety, and end-use applications; a ₹100 crore call supports startups up to ₹5 crore. 13. In fertilisers, green ammonia can replace fossil-based feedstock; a long-term supply auction aggregated 7.24 lakh tonnes per year at ₹55.75 per kg delivered domestically. 14. Five road-transport pilots deploy 37 hydrogen vehicles and nine refuelling stations across ten routes, including fuel-cell buses and hydrogen internal combustion trucks. 15. Port pilots include a 10 Nm3 per hour plant for lighting and charging, along with green methanol bunkering to support a Kandla–Tuticorin coastal corridor.               MCQ: 1. With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements: 1. It is produced using electrolysis powered by renewable electricity. 2. Its “green” status may depend on lifecycle emissions per kilogram of hydrogen. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. Consider the following: 1. Annual green hydrogen production target 2. Year by which the target is to be achieved The correct pairing is: a) 5 million metric tonnes — 2027 b) 5 million metric tonnes — 2030 c) 50 million metric tonnes — 2030 d) 5 million metric tonnes — 2040 3. With reference to a national programme on green hydrogen, consider the following statements: 1. It includes support for incentives, pilots, and research activities. 2. Its implementation horizon extends beyond 2040. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 4. Consider the following statements about lifecycle emissions threshold used for certification: 1. The threshold is expressed as kg CO2-equivalent per kg of hydrogen. 2. The threshold value mentioned is 2 kg CO2-equivalent per kg hydrogen. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 5. Which of the following is the most direct policy purpose of a certification scheme for green hydrogen? a) Fixing consumer retail prices for hydrogen b) Establishing traceability of renewable sourcing and lifecycle emissions c) Mandating export quotas for hydrogen producers d) Replacing all safety standards with a single guideline 6. Consider the following pairs: 1. Nodal authority role — Accrediting agencies for monitoring and certification 2. Operational focus — Increasing transparency and market credibility Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 7. With reference to manufacturing support under a strategic intervention, consider the following statements: 1. It aims to expand domestic electrolyser manufacturing capacity. 2. It provides financial incentives up to 2029–30. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 8. Consider the following: 1. Allocations for annual green hydrogen production capacity 2. Allocation for electrolyser manufacturing capacity Which of the following best matches the quantities mentioned? a) 862,000 tonnes per year; 3,000 MW b) 3,000 tonnes per year; 862,000 MW c) 862,000 MW; 3,000 tonnes per year d) 8,620,000 tonnes per year; 300 MW 9. Which of the following sets of locations was recognised as green hydrogen hubs among ports? a) Kandla, Mumbai, Chennai b) Deendayal, V.O. Chidambaranar, Paradip c) Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Kolkata d) JNPT, Mormugao, Haldia 10. Consider the following statements about renewable capacity addition linked with hydrogen scaling: 1. The plan indicates addition of about 125 GW of new renewable capacity. 2. The intent is to support hydrogen production requirements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 11. With reference to

SHANTI Bill, 2025: India’s Modern Nuclear Energy Framework     Overview of Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy is generated through controlled atomic reactions, primarily nuclear fission, which releases heat used to produce electricity. This process generates large-scale power without emitting greenhouse gases, making it a dependable and low-carbon energy source that complements intermittent renewables such as solar and wind, while ensuring base-load electricity supply.   Context and Legislative Background India’s nuclear programme has evolved through a carefully regulated legal framework focused on peaceful use, national security, and safety. Earlier legislations laid the foundation for state control, gradual capacity expansion, and liability management. With technological advancement and rising clean-energy ambitions, the existing framework required consolidation and modernization to align with present and future energy needs.   Need for a Modern Nuclear Framework Growing electricity demand, decarbonisation commitments, and the requirement for round-the-clock power have increased the strategic importance of nuclear energy. Existing laws limited flexibility, investment scale, and innovation. A unified framework enables capacity expansion, technological advancement, and integration of nuclear power into long-term energy planning while maintaining strict safety and security oversight.   Present Status of Nuclear Energy Nuclear power currently contributes a modest but stable share to electricity generation. Installed capacity remains limited but is projected to rise significantly with new reactor technologies, indigenous designs, and international cooperation. Planned expansion reflects the intent to position nuclear energy as a long-term pillar of clean and reliable power supply.   Long-Term Nuclear Energy Vision A national mission outlines the objective of achieving large-scale nuclear capacity by mid-century. Emphasis is placed on advanced reactor technologies, particularly small modular reactors, to enhance flexibility, safety, and decentralised deployment. These initiatives also support non-power applications such as hydrogen generation and industrial processes.   Key Structural Features of the New Framework The framework permits limited private participation in nuclear operations under strict regulatory supervision, including power generation, manufacturing, and selected fuel-cycle activities. Sensitive domains such as high-level waste management, spent fuel processing, and strategic materials remain exclusively under sovereign control, ensuring national security and strategic autonomy.   Regulatory and Safety Architecture A strengthened licensing system governs all nuclear activities, supported by enhanced safety authorisation mechanisms. Statutory recognition of the nuclear regulatory authority reinforces institutional independence, oversight capability, and accountability. Comprehensive systems for security, safeguards, emergency preparedness, and quality assurance are embedded across the sector.   Liability and Dispute Resolution Mechanism A graded civil liability structure replaces uniform liability limits, allowing responsibility to vary according to installation type and risk profile. Dedicated mechanisms are established for claims adjudication, compensation management, dispute resolution, and appellate review, ensuring clarity, fairness, and timely redressal in nuclear-related incidents.   Strategic Safeguards and Governance The framework balances sectoral openness with firm sovereign control over critical functions. Coordinated oversight mechanisms, reinforced safeguards, and clear acquisition rights ensure that expansion does not compromise national security, regulatory discipline, or independent decision-making in strategic nuclear matters.   Conclusion The modernised nuclear framework represents a structural shift toward efficiency, innovation, and long-term energy security. By consolidating governance, enabling controlled participation, and strengthening safety oversight, it establishes a robust foundation for expanding clean, reliable nuclear energy while preserving strategic control and public safety.       MCQ:   1.Nuclear energy primarily generates electricity by:A. Burning fossil fuels at high temperaturesB. Controlled atomic fission releasing heatC. Chemical reactions between radioactive elementsD. Fusion of light nuclei under extreme pressure 2.One major advantage of nuclear power generation is that it:A. Requires very small land area compared to all renewablesB. Produces electricity without greenhouse gas emissionsC. Depends entirely on imported technologyD. Operates only during peak demand hours 3.The primary objective of the SHANTI Bill, 2025 is to:A. Privatise the entire nuclear sectorB. Replace renewable energy policiesC. Modernise and consolidate the nuclear legal frameworkD. Eliminate government control over atomic energy 4.India’s nuclear energy contribution to total electricity generation has remained close to:A. 1 percentB. 3 percentC. 7 percentD. 12 percent 5.The present installed nuclear power capacity of India is approximately:A. 4.5 GWB. 6.2 GWC. 8.78 GWD. 12.5 GW 6.Planned nuclear capacity expansion aims to reach about 22 GW by:A. 2027–28B. 2029–30C. 2031–32D. 2035–36 7.Small Modular Reactors are emphasised mainly because they:A. Eliminate the need for regulatory oversightB. Are suitable only for military purposesC. Offer flexible, scalable, and safer deploymentD. Replace conventional large reactors entirely 8.Under the new framework, private participation in nuclear energy is:A. Completely unrestrictedB. Allowed under strict regulatory supervisionC. Limited only to foreign companiesD. Prohibited in power generation 9.Which of the following activities remains exclusively under central government control?A. Nuclear equipment manufacturingB. Electricity distributionC. Spent fuel reprocessing and waste managementD. Reactor maintenance services 10.The graded liability framework implies that:A. Liability limits are uniform for all installationsB. Operators bear unlimited liabilityC. Liability varies based on installation characteristicsD. Liability applies only to private operators 11.Statutory recognition is granted to which body to strengthen nuclear regulation?A. Department of Atomic EnergyB. Nuclear Power CorporationC. Atomic Energy Regulatory BoardD. Central Electricity Authority 12.Non-power applications of nuclear technology include use in:A. Defence manufacturing onlyB. Healthcare, agriculture, and industryC. Space exploration exclusivelyD. Telecommunications infrastructure 13.The strengthened regulatory framework focuses strongly on:A. Rapid construction over safetyB. Security, safeguards, and emergency preparednessC. Reducing inspection requirementsD. Decentralising all oversight powers 14.Dispute resolution under the framework includes the establishment of:A. A Parliamentary Standing CommitteeB. A Constitutional BenchC. An Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory CouncilD. A State-level Energy Tribunal 15.The long-term vision for nuclear energy expansion targets achieving large capacity by:A. 2030B. 2035C. 2047D. 2070