The Government of India has taken a major step towards building a sustainable energy future by launching a dedicated skilling initiative under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The programme is being managed by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It aims to create a strong workforce of around 600,000 skilled professionals by 2030 to support India’s ambitious plan of producing 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen every year.
The initiative comes with a total financial outlay of ₹35 crore for the period from FY 2023-24 to FY 2029-30. Out of this, ₹28 crore has been set aside for direct training programmes, ₹5 crore will be used to set up model Centres of Excellence, and ₹2 crore has been allocated for developing specialised course content for institutions such as ITIs and polytechnics. This structured allocation is expected to ensure both practical training and long-term capacity building in the green hydrogen sector.
Under the scheme, three key training pathways have been introduced to cover different segments of the workforce. The first is Short-Term Training, which ranges from 200 to 600 hours and is mainly designed for new entrants. These courses include mandatory on-the-job training so that candidates gain practical industry exposure. The second pathway is Recognition of Prior Learning, which is aimed at people who are already working in sectors like oil, gas, and renewable energy. These courses, lasting between 30 to 132 hours, help workers upgrade their skills and receive formal certification. The third pathway focuses on long-term training by integrating hydrogen-related topics into regular academic curricula at schools and higher education institutions.
To maintain high standards of training and research, the government plans to establish up to five model Centres of Excellence across the country. These centres will act as advanced hubs for skill development, research activities, and training of trainers. They are expected to play a key role in building a network of qualified instructors who can further expand the reach of the programme nationwide.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme have been kept broad to encourage wide participation. Indian citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 with valid identity proof can apply for the training programmes. For those applying under the Recognition of Prior Learning category, relevant work experience in a related field is required. The entire process, including registration, training progress, certification, and placement tracking, will be managed through the Skill India Digital platform. This system will also track the outcomes of trainees for at least one year after completion to ensure effectiveness.
The implementation of the programme will be carried out in a decentralized manner. States and Union Territories have been invited to submit proposals through State Skill Development Missions, ITIs, and other institutions. The government is also encouraging private sector participation, especially in providing infrastructure and hands-on training opportunities.
By aligning skill development with the growing needs of the green hydrogen value chain, including areas such as electrolyzer manufacturing and hydrogen safety, the initiative aims to ensure a smooth and fair transition for workers. At the same time, it strengthens India’s position as a global leader in clean energy and supports its long-term sustainability goals.
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