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The production of one-dimensional nanorods (NRs) has been capturing decent curiosity due to the peculiar electronic, spintronic, and hydrogen evolution properties. Consequently, herein, diluted magnetic semiconducting ZnO:V (0, 1, and 2 at%) NRs have been prepared through a typical hydrothermal method. SEM images depicted that the prepared samples belonged to nanorods. V ion incorporation into the ZnO matrix was confirmed through XRD, Raman, and XPS studies. A trivial decreasing of optical band gap with the V doping was determined via Kubelka–Munk plots. The doping enhances the paramagnetic nature of ZnO as function of V doping. Importantly, these NRs were measured for H2 production through H2O splitting by the solar simulator. The ZnO:V (2 at%) portrayed the best H2 production capability (25,188 µmol h−1 g−1) in 5 h than other samples. The plausible reasons behind the improved H2 evolution could be discussed in detail. Till date, this is the first ever report on H2 evolution of ZnO:V nanorods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]