India Launches a Challenge to Create a Crypto-Friendly Web Browser
Have you ever wished you could use crypto tokens to digitally sign documents online? Well, you might soon get a chance to do so, thanks to a new initiative by the Indian government.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, a competition that invites Indian developers to create a homegrown web browser with an inbuilt CCA India root certificate.
What is a CCA India root certificate?
A CCA India root certificate is a self-signed certificate that serves as a trust anchor for digital signatures and encryption in India. It is issued by the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), a government body that regulates the use of digital signatures in India.
By having a CCA India root certificate pre-loaded in the browser, users can easily verify the authenticity and integrity of digital documents signed by Indian authorities and entities. This can also reduce the dependency on foreign authorities for SSL certificates, which are used to secure web connections.
What are the features of the Indian web browser?
According to the challenge website, the Indian web browser should have the following features:
- Web browser for all devices and platforms
- Compliance with W3C standards
- Should have own trust store with inbuilt CCA India root certificate
- Built-in support for accessibility
- Seamless support for all official Indian languages
- Ability to digitally sign documents in the browser using a crypto token
- Support for Web3
What is Web3?
Web3 is a term that refers to the next generation of the web, which is based on blockchain technologies and decentralized applications. Web3 aims to give users more control and ownership over their data and online activities, as well as enable new forms of value creation and exchange.
Some examples of Web3 technologies include cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), decentralized finance (DeFi), and smart contracts.
By supporting Web3, the Indian web browser could potentially offer users access to a wide range of innovative and disruptive services and platforms that are powered by blockchain.
How can you participate in the challenge?
The challenge is open to Indian start-ups, MSMEs, companies, LLPs, individuals, and groups that meet the eligibility criteria. The participants can apply either by submitting an ideation proposal or by developing a prototype or a product. The challenge has three stages:
- Ideation: 18 prizes of Rs. 2 lakhs each
- Prototype: 8 prizes of Rs. 10 lakhs each
- Productization: 3 prizes of Rs. 1 crore, Rs. 75 lakhs, and Rs. 50 lakhs
The submission deadline for the ideation stage is September 22, 2023. The submission deadline for the prototype stage is January 4, 2024. The submission deadline for the productization stage is July 1, 2024.
The challenge website provides more details on how to apply, how to submit entries, how to access resources, and how to contact the organizers.
Why is this challenge important?
The challenge is part of the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, which means ‘self-reliant India’. The challenge aims to encourage the design and development of an indigenous web browser that can cater to the needs and preferences of Indian users, as well as showcase the talent and innovation of Indian developers.
The challenge also aligns with the government’s efforts to promote digital transformation and inclusion in India, as well as to foster a conducive environment for blockchain adoption and innovation.
The challenge could potentially result in a web browser that offers users more security, privacy, convenience, accessibility, and functionality than existing browsers. It could also enable users to leverage the benefits of blockchain technologies and crypto tokens for various purposes, such as digital signatures, identity verification, payments, rewards, governance, and more.
What do you think?
Are you excited about this challenge? Do you think it will create a better web browser for India? Do you have any ideas or suggestions for the participants? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Sources
- Indian web browser challenge: Price money, features and all the other details | Times of India
- IT ministry reveals plan for Indian Web Browser, plans on to integrating crypto sign-ups for security | MSN
- Web Browser Development Challenge with a price pool of Rs. 3.4 crore launched | FoneArena
- Indian Web Browser Development Challenge | iwbdc.in
- Indian Web Browser Development Challenge | pkiindia.in
