Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:Emerging from its early association with cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology has evolved into one of the most transformative digital innovations of the 21st century. Unlike technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which derive their strength from computational power, blockchain’s value lies in its ability to establish verifiable trust without intermediaries.
India’s current governance systems often relies on centralised databases, which can be prone to errors, fraud, and lack of transparency. Blockchain technology addresses these challenges through its tamper-resistant, distributed ledger system, where records are securely maintained across multiple nodes. This design makes unauthorized modifications virtually impossible and significantly enhances data integrity and trust.
Recognising its vast potential, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) developed the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) to provide a unified architecture for deploying blockchain solutions across various sectors. The NBF aims to guide the integration of blockchain into public service delivery, ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
Types of blockchain
First, there is Public Blockchain in which all nodes can access records, verify transactions, perform proof-of-work, and add new blocks. Then there is Private Blockchain, which is a permissioned blockchain, restricted to selected participants within an organisation. The controlling entity determines the levels of security, authorisation, and access, making it ideal for Government applications.
A Consortium Blockchain is semi-decentralised, governed jointly by multiple organisations for shared data management and validation, whereas Hybrid Blockchain is a blend of public and private blockchains allowing selective data access.
Blockchain’s foundational strengths – transparency, immutability, decentralisation, and trust – are central to the National Blockchain Framework. These characteristics enable secure and efficient digital systems, and are particularly critical in transforming governance, enhancing citizen services, and reducing administrative frictio
Indigenous platform
The National Blockchain Framework, launched September 4 last year, is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of permissioned blockchain-based applications, marking a strategic step towards building a secure, transparent, and scalable digital infrastructure for the country.
At the core of the NBF is the Vishvasya Blockchain Stack, an indigenous and modular platform designed to provide the technical foundation for building and deploying blockchain-based applications for governance.
NBFLite is a sandbox version of the blockchain technology stack, designed to encourage innovation, experimentation, and capacity building. It allows startups, research institutions, and students to prototype blockchain-based applications in a controlled environment without requiring full-scale deployment.
Praamaanik is an innovative solution that leverages blockchain technology to verify the authenticity and source of mobile applications. When users scan or check an app, Praamaanik matches the details with blockchain records to validate its legitimacy, thereby fostering trust and transparency within the mobile ecosystem.
The National Blockchain Portal outlines India’s strategic approach to adopting blockchain technology in governance and industry. The platform supports innovation, standardisation, and cross-sector adoption of blockchain for applications, fostering trust and enhancing India’s leadership in emerging technologies.