India is making significant strides in blockchain technology with the recent introduction of its national framework, Vishvasya. This initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) aims to enhance the security, transparency, and efficiency of citizen-centric applications through blockchain.

On September 4, MeitY launched Vishvasya, a national blockchain technology stack designed to provide blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS). This platform features a geographically distributed infrastructure to support various "permissioned" blockchain applications.

In addition to Vishvasya, the government introduced several other blockchain-based solutions, including:

• NBFLite: A blockchain sandbox platform intended for startups and academic institutions to prototype applications, conduct research, and build capacity.
• National Blockchain Portal: A central hub for all information related to the National Blockchain Framework, offering training, data, and resources.
• Praamaanik: A blockchain-enabled solution for verifying the origins of mobile apps, ensuring authenticity and fostering trust.

Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary at MeitY, emphasized that this technology could significantly transform governance in India by improving the transparency and efficiency of public services. He encouraged state governments and departments to integrate applications into the National Blockchain Framework (NBF).

What is Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain is a type of digital ledger technology that uses cryptographic algorithms to create a secure and immutable record of transactions. This technology ensures that data recorded in the blockchain cannot be easily altered, providing a high level of transparency and security.

Features of the Vishvasya Blockchain Stack
The Vishvasya BaaS model is designed to simplify the adoption of blockchain technology for various stakeholders, including:

• Infrastructure Providers: These entities manage blockchain applications for businesses and offer services like node operation and decentralized storage.
• Smart Contract Developers: They create and maintain smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements encoded on the blockchain.

The Vishvasya BaaS stack includes features such as:

• Rapid Development and Deployment: Facilitates quick development and deployment of permissioned blockchain apps.
• Security Audits: Ready-to-use, security-audited blockchain containers for production.
• Geographically Distributed Infrastructure: Includes data centers in Hyderabad, Pune, and Bhubaneswar.
• APIs and Integration: Offers REST APIs for smart contract functions and integration with mobile apps and IoT devices.
• Building a Blockchain Ecosystem

MeitY's blockchain ecosystem also involves collaborations with various government agencies and institutions, including:

• Cotton Corporation of India
• Forensic Science Laboratory
• CBSE
• Ministry of Justice
• These partnerships aim to develop use cases for blockchain in areas like cotton bale tracking, document chains, and educational applications.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, MeitY plans to develop an extensible blockchain framework to address challenges related to skilled manpower, vendor lock-in, and research in security, interoperability, and performance.

With these initiatives, India is positioning itself as a leader in blockchain technology, driving innovation and improving public sector efficiencies.

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