The Hydrogen Conclave 2025, held from February 10-14 at Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, was organized by the Centre for Renewable Energy & Storage in collaboration with the University of Rajasthan, supported by International Association of Hydrogen Energy (IAHE), Material Intelligence Lab (MI-19), Soft Material Research Society (SMRS) and sponsored by DSIR, ANRF, CSIR and BRNS. It successfully brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss advancements in Hydrogen Energy Technologies. 

The event featured:

• 5 Plenary Sessions
• 8 Keynote Lectures
• 26 Invited Lectures
• 28 Oral Presentations
• 65 Poster Presentations

The inaugural ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including the Chief Guests Prof. Avinash Kumar Agrawal, a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardee and the Director of IIT Jodhpur and Dr. Vilas Tathavadkar (CTO, Hindalco Industries, Mumbai), each of them representing the two significant interdependent domains of academia and industry in the field of hydrogen energy. Other notable guests included Prof. Sudhasatva Basu (IIT Delhi), Prof. Pratibha Sharma (IIT Mumbai), Prof. Takayuki Ichikawa (Japan), Prof. Young Ho Kim (India-Korea Center for Research & Innovation) and Prof. John W. Sheffield, Purdue University, USA. Several distinguished researchers and experts from IITs, BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre), CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), NCL (National Chemical Laboratory), and NPL (National Physical Laboratory) were also present, adding immense value to the discussions and deliberations of the conference. Prof. Ayfer Veziroglu, President, International Association of Hydrogen Energy (IAHE) read a special message to all the hydrogen enthusiasts present in the conference.

Cultural and Networking Events: 

Beyond the technical sessions, the Hydrogen Conclave 2025 also provided attendees with an enriching cultural and networking experience. The inaugural ceremony featured a cultural program, which included a mesmerizing Sitar Vadan performance by Pandit Chandramohan Bhatt and an energetic folk dance presentation by university students. These performances celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage and provided a refreshing interlude amidst the rigorous scientific discussions. Special activities included a City tour covering Jaipur’s iconic landmarks and historical sites and a visit to Chokhi Dhani for Conference Dinner offering an authentic experience of Rajasthani culture, cuisine, and traditions.

Two Best Oral and Two Best Poster Presentation Awards were given under two categories: (i) Award recognized by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) with certificate and one year membership benefits, (ii) HYCON Awards with medal and certificate. The details of winners is as follows:

• 🏆 Best Oral Presentation Award (RSC): 1. Ms. Vartika Sharma (CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar), 2. Ms. Meenakshi Sharma, IIT Jodhpur.
• 🏆 Best Oral Presentation Award (HYCON): 1. Mr. Gaurav Pandey, MNIT, Jaipur, 2. Mr. Mandar Patunkar, MIT Art Design & Technology University, Pune.
• 🏆 Best Poster Presentation Award (RSC): 1. Mohit B. Bhore, IIT Mumbai, 2. Manish Shingole, BARC, Mumbai.
• 🏆 Best Poster Presentation Award (HYCON): 1. Chaitanya D. Galave, CSIR-NCL, Pune, 2. Sweety, CSIR-CSMCRI, Bhavnagar.

The conference successfully provided a platform for knowledge exchange and networking, strengthening collaborations in the field of hydrogen research and sustainable energy solutions. All the submitted abstract for oral and poster presentations were published in the Abstract Book (ISBN Number: 978-93-342-1597-7). Selected articles were published in the special issue of the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (IJHE) as per the decision of the technical review committee and the Guest Editors Prof. Ankur Jain and Prof. Ashish Bhatnagar.

Event Highlights