Green Hydrogen Certification Framework for India (GHCI) outlines the certification process, eligibility, reporting, and verification for compliance to the standards for Green Hydrogen in India. This framework aims to standardize and certify hydrogen as "green" based on its carbon footprint and production method, ensuring it meets domestic and international green hydrogen standards. It is an initiative of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched during April 2025. Green Hydrogen Standard in India The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, dated 18 August 2023, has defined Green Hydrogen standard, establishing specific criteria for its production. The standard stipulates a threshold for Green House Gas emissions (non-biogenic) at 2.0 kg CO2 eq/kg H2 for system boundaries as defined in the standard. The threshold is measured as an average over the last 12 months. Overview of the framework Eligibility for Certification Green Hydrogen producers who want to sell or use hydrogen in India, especially if they: Receive exemptions/concessions from Central or State Government. Sell part of the hydrogen domestically and export the rest. Exemptions: Small facilities producing ≤10 tons per year are not mandated to get the certificate, but can do so voluntarily. Export-only producers with no government incentive are not mandated to get the certificate, but must report production quantity and emissions. Certification Process The final certificate gaurantees that the hydrogen produced during the specified evaluation cycle is Green as per GHCI. The final certificate shall be issued every year, after the end of financial year. Timeline & Steps: By 31st March: Developer appoints an Accredited Certification Verifier (ACV) for the evaluation cycle. Post financial year: Green Hydrogen producer submits data and evidence. By 30th June: Submission deadline on Green Hydrogen portal. By 31st July: Technical committee reviews and issues the certificate. If issues arise, clarifications are requested by 31st July. Producers resubmit by 31st August. Final certificate issued by 30th September after re-review. In case of persistent rejection, another ACV may verify, but the technical committee's decision is final. Certificate The issued certificate shall contain a unique identification for each 100 Kg of hydrogen produced, specifying project details, production year, and emission intensity values. The certification shall be conditional upon the average emission intensity permissible within defined scheme conditions and system boundaries. The Green Hydrogen certificate serves as a label which guarantees the origin (GO) of the Green Hydrogen production as well as chain of custody. To maintain and track the chain of custody, the certificate shall be transferable as per procedure laid down by MNRE. The certificate can be used for the purpose of claiming carbon credit under Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) of India. However, the developer has to comply with additional requirements specified under the CCTS, if any. A certification fee on the final certificate of Rs. 5 per 100 kg (or part thereof) of Green Hydrogen certified shall be charged by MNRE or its designated agency. Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India