In a significant move towards enhancing digital trust and service delivery, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack, NBFLite-Lightweight Blockchain Platform, and Praamaanik, a blockchain-enabled solution for verifying mobile app origins. These initiatives mark a crucial step in India’s journey towards leveraging blockchain technology to bolster security, transparency, and efficiency in digital services.
National Blockchain Framework (NBF) Unveiled
The National Blockchain Framework aims to create a trusted digital ecosystem by promoting research, application development, and transparent service delivery. The framework offers a comprehensive technology stack, including:
- Distributed Infrastructure
- Core Framework Functionality
- Smart Contracts & API Gateway
- Security, Privacy & Interoperability
- Application Development
The NBF supports two permissioned blockchain platforms and is designed to be extensible. Hosted on geographically distributed infrastructure at NIC data centers in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad, the NBF is poised to facilitate Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) across various sectors.
Blockchain Sandbox for Innovation
The NBFLite platform, a lightweight blockchain sandbox, has been developed to support rapid prototyping, research, and capacity building for startups and academic institutions. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving C-DAC, NIC, IDRBT Hyderabad, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad, and SETS Chennai.
Key Highlights from the Launch
- Shri S. Krishnan emphasized the National Blockchain Framework’s role in enabling security, trust, and transparency for citizen-centric applications. He highlighted the importance of positioning India as a global leader in blockchain technology and encouraged stakeholders to drive economic growth and digital empowerment through these innovations.
- Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary at MeitY, noted the transformative potential of blockchain technology for governance. He stressed the need to scale NBF applications across states and departments and explore new applications and platforms.
- Smt. Sunita Verma, Scientist G and Group Coordinator at MeitY, outlined the framework’s goals to address challenges such as the need for skilled manpower, vendor lock-in, and research challenges related to security and interoperability.
- Shri Magesh E, Director General of C-DAC, described NBF as a consortium effort to tackle research challenges and develop blockchain applications in collaboration with government organizations. The initiative has already produced several patents and research publications.
- Ms. P R Lakshmi Eswari, Centre Head at C-DAC Hyderabad, provided insights into the technical features of the National Blockchain Framework and discussed Praamaanik, the blockchain-enabled solution for verifying the origin of mobile apps.
The launch of these blockchain technologies represents a significant advancement in India’s digital infrastructure, aiming to enhance the efficiency, security, and transparency of public services. As India continues to innovate in the digital space, the National Blockchain Framework stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for national development.
