India Launches National Blockchain Framework

September 5, 2024

The Indian Government launched a new blockchain initiative called the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack. This project, led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), provides a platform for using Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS). Essentially, it allows people to use blockchain technology easily through a large, distributed system across the country. The goal is to support secure, efficient, and permissioned blockchain applications.

Key Components of the Launch

Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack: This is a broad platform for developing various blockchain applications.

NBFLite: A smaller, lightweight version of blockchain for startups and academia. It helps them quickly build and test blockchain applications.

Praamaanik: A special blockchain tool to verify the authenticity of mobile apps, ensuring they come from trustworthy sources.

National Blockchain Portal: This is a one-stop website for all blockchain initiatives and updates under MeitY.

What is the National Blockchain Framework (NBF)?

The National Blockchain Framework (NBF), launched in 2021, is a system designed to build trust in digital services and make them more reliable. It helps in improving how the government delivers services to the public by using the following features:

Distributed Infrastructure: This ensures that the system is available across a large area and can grow as needed.

Core Functionality: It introduces smart contracts (automated agreements) and an API gateway (which allows different systems to connect and communicate).

Security and Privacy: The framework is designed to ensure strong security, protect user privacy, and work well with other systems.

Collaboration and Technology Development

Developing the Vishvasya blockchain and the National Blockchain Framework involved collaboration with institutions like C-DAC, NIC, IIT Hyderabad, and IIIT Hyderabad, all supported by MeitY. These efforts help create new technologies and solutions that will benefit both public and private sectors.

According to Secretary S. Krishnan, the National Blockchain Framework will improve the security, trust, and transparency of services that citizens use. By using blockchain, public services will become more transparent and accountable, making sure that data is secure and trustworthy.

Transforming Governance

Blockchain technology is expected to change how the government operates. It will make public services more transparent (open) and accountable (responsible for their actions). By scaling these applications across different states and government departments, blockchain can help solve important governance challenges.

Tackling Challenges

The National Blockchain Framework will also address several important challenges:

Skill Shortages: It will work on building a skilled workforce trained in using and developing blockchain applications.

Vendor Lock-in: Ensuring that users have flexibility in choosing the right technology without being stuck with one provider.

Research Challenges: Focusing on improving security, interoperability (making different systems work together), and performance.

The goal of the initiative is to promote research and development in blockchain technology, leading to more patents and publications. It will continue to add new applications to the NBF stack to keep up with changing needs, especially in improving public services.

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