First hydrogen train-set built; electrolysis plant at Jind
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Asked by UPSCPrelims 20151 PYQ
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
What happened
- Indian Railways has finished building its first hydrogen train-set, designed to RDSO specifications. A hydrogen plant using electrolysis is coming up at Jind [Rajya Sabha reply, PIB].
- PIB calls it the world’s longest (10 coaches) and most powerful (2,400 kW) hydrogen train-set on broad gauge: two 1,200 kW power cars plus eight passenger cars [PIB].
Background
- Hydrogen made by electrolysis using renewable power is “green hydrogen”. The only exhaust from a fuel cell is water vapour.
Why it matters
- It is a pilot, and the ministry says cost comparison with diesel or electric traction is not fair yet [PIB].
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-12-10): indian Railways has finished building its first hydrogen train-set, designed to RDSO specifications. A hydrogen plant using electrolysis is coming up at Jind.
- It is a pilot, and the ministry says cost comparison with diesel or electric traction is not fair yet [PIB].
Quotable data pointPIB calls it the world's longest (10 coaches) and most powerful (2,400 kW) hydrogen train-set on broad gauge: two 1,200 kW power cars plus eight passenger cars.
PIB: Railways: Hydrogen train-set, 10 Dec 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: hydrogen train, Jind.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
Where is the electrolysis-based hydrogen plant for the train?
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Total power of the hydrogen train-set
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Specifications were framed by
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB.
Go deeper
ExplainerRenewable Energy in India: Potential, Installed Capacity, 500 GW Target, Key Schemes (PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar), Challenges and Way Forward (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerGreen Hydrogen: Colours of Hydrogen, Electrolysis, National Green Hydrogen Mission, Uses, Costs and Challenges (UPSC Notes + PYQs)
Official source: PIB: Railways: Hydrogen train-set, 10 Dec 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending