India eyes rural-led climate leadership with IISc’s carbon-negative Hydrogen breakthrough

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has developed a breakthrough system that could enable India to lead the global hydrogen economy by turning its agricultural surplus into climate-positive energy. The new technology converts crop waste into high-purity hydrogen while removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits—making it one of the world’s first truly carbon-negative hydrogen production methods.
Using biomass such as stubble and farm residue, the system generates hydrogen with 99% purity at a production rate of 5 kilograms per hour. What makes this innovation stand out is its dual impact: mitigating air pollution from stubble burning and contributing actively to carbon removal, a critical frontier in the global fight against climate change.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, lauded the development during a visit to the institute, calling it a model of self-reliant, decentralised energy innovation. He described the system, led by Professor S Dasappa and his team, as a national achievement that reflects how fundamental science can translate into socially impactful technologies, particularly for rural and agrarian regions.
With India aggressively implementing its ₹19,744-crore National Green Hydrogen Mission, the IISc innovation offers a grassroots model that aligns seamlessly with national goals. By tapping into local resources and decentralised deployment, the technology reduces dependence on fossil-fuel-based hydrogen and opens up energy access for remote areas. Each unit built on this model could serve farming clusters, providing clean fuel and income opportunities while sequestering carbon.
Joshi emphasised that India’s long-term hydrogen leadership must be built on innovation, not subsidies. He called on the scientific community to address key challenges in hydrogen conservation, electrolysis affordability, and end-use application costs. He also highlighted IISc’s Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) as a key enabler of next-generation research in hydrogen storage and fuel cell technology.
Pledging full support for pilot-scale deployments and industry partnerships, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enabling innovations that blend climate ambition with economic inclusion. “This is not just a lab success—it’s a village-to-global solution. With technologies like this, India can lead not by imitation, but by invention,” Joshi said.