BIRAC has invited proposals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to fund pilot projects using biomass and innovative technologies, offering up to INR 25 crore per project.
January 11, 2026. By EI News Network
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Government of India enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has invited proposals for pilot projects focused on green hydrogen production using biomass-based and other innovative technologies.
The Call for Proposals (CfP) has been issued under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The initiative aims to promote alternative and non-conventional green hydrogen production pathways that are not covered under existing mission components. Applications will be accepted through BIRAC’s online portal from 26 December 2025 to 27 January 2026.
The CfP targets pilot-scale and demonstration projects using biomass, wastewater, floating solar, and other innovative routes for green hydrogen production. As per the guidelines, eligible technologies must have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6, indicating validation at the laboratory scale. Early-stage research or proof-of-concept proposals will not be considered.
Selected Executing Agencies (EAs) will be required to establish pilot plants, arrange land, and commission facilities within 12 months, followed by six months of operational demonstration. The total project duration has been capped at 18 months.
MNRE has earmarked a total outlay of INR 100 crore for the CfP, with financial support limited to INR 25 crore per project. Private sector entities may receive funding of up to 80 percent of eligible equipment costs, while government organisations can avail up to 100 percent support, subject to the overall cap.
Funding under the scheme is strictly limited to equipment and retrofitting costs directly related to green hydrogen production. Expenses related to civil construction, land acquisition, manpower, consumables, water sourcing, and renewable power generation are explicitly excluded.
BIRAC has stated that projects with identified offtakers and defined hydrogen utilisation plans will be given preference. Priority applications include use cases such as cooking, heating, decentralised power generation, off-road mobility, and community-level applications. Revenue generated from hydrogen produced during the pilot phase may be retained by the Executing Agency.
Eligible applicants include Indian companies—such as CPSEs and SPSEs—startups, LLPs, academic institutions, NGOs, trusts, societies, and joint ventures, subject to ownership and compliance norms. Startups may apply independently or as collaborators, provided they are not receiving parallel funding under Part B of the scheme. Entities already supported under other MNRE or NGHM schemes are not eligible.
The proposal evaluation will follow a multi-stage process, beginning with administrative screening by BIRAC, followed by technical assessment by a Screening Committee. Shortlisted applicants will present before a Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) chaired by the Mission Director, NGHM. Final approvals will be granted by the Advisory Group of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with site visits conducted if required.
Evaluation criteria include the level of innovation, technical feasibility, scalability, commercial deployment potential, project cost, hydrogen production capacity, and availability of offtakers.
Executing Agencies will be required to submit a Bank Guarantee equivalent to 20 percent of the sanctioned grant, with funds released on a milestone-linked basis. Delays or non-compliance may attract financial penalties, including project cancellation and recovery of funds with interest, in line with Government Financial Rules (GFR).
The CfP aligns with the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 with a total outlay of INR 19,744 crore, to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilisation, and export.
According to BIRAC and MNRE, the selected pilot projects are expected to generate critical insights on technical feasibility, safety, scalability, and commercial viability, helping shape future policy and support large-scale deployment of alternative green hydrogen pathways in India.
