NOVELTY - A cathode for hydrogen generation comprises a cathode substrate having a catalytic layer on it, where the catalytic layer contains at least three components of platinum, cerium and lanthanum in amounts of 50-98 mol.%, 1-49 mol.% and 1-49 mol.%, respectively, in the form of metal, metal oxide or metal hydroxide. The catalytic layer further comprises a platinum group metal other than platinum in an amount of 1-49 mol.% in the form of metal, metal oxide or metal hydroxide; and an intermediate layer containing a conductive oxide between the cathode substrate and the catalytic layer.    USE - As a cathode for hydrogen generation; useful for brine electrolysis and in an electrolysis cell and a zero gap type cell.    ADVANTAGE - Mixing of another rare earth (lanthanum) with a conventional rare earth (cerium) makes it possible to increase stability of the rare-earth components, while keeping conventional catalytic activity, thus obtaining a cathode that keeps high stability even in a long-term use. Incorporation of cerium and lanthanum causes great effects of generating an interaction between the rare earth metals to improve stability of the catalyst, preventing poisoning of the catalyst metal caused by electrolysis, not damaging the membrane in contact with the membrane, being small in the loss of the catalyst even when used for a long period of time. Further, it becomes possible to arrange the cathode in close contact with the ion exchange membrane, and use of the expensive catalyst can be made minimum because of high stability of the catalyst. Accordingly, investment cost and electric power cost can be decreased. As the effects of the intermediate layer, the substrate is protected from severe conditions of heat treatment in the production of the catalytic layer, and the catalytic layer is not contaminated with components such as nickel contained in the substrate. The substrate is protected and contamination of the catalytic layer with foreign matter is prevented, while keeping a hydrogen overvoltage decreasing effect by the platinum-group component and the lanthanum component and a poisoning-resistant effect to iron, thus enabling to extend the life of the cathode.