The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched a groundbreaking initiative under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat program to develop India’s own web browser compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows platforms. This effort reflects the government’s commitment to transitioning the country into a product-driven technological powerhouse. India’s IT sector, which generates $282 billion in revenue annually, is shifting focus from services to indigenous product creation.
The Indian Web Browser Development Challenge, organized by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing in Bangalore, saw participation from 434 teams across startups, academia, and industry leaders. The competition required browser designs to include essential features such as child-friendly browsing, parental controls, support for all official Indian languages, Web3 capabilities, and seamless digital signing integrated into the browser. The competition culminated with eight teams reaching the final stage, where innovations were evaluated by a distinguished jury panel. Zoho Corporation emerged victorious, followed by Team PING and Team Ajna as the first and second runners-up. Jio Vishwakarma received a special mention for its multi-platform browser design.
The winners were awarded ₹100 million, ₹75 million, and ₹50 million, respectively, as recognition of their outstanding contributions. This accomplishment also highlighted the talent pool in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, underscoring the immense potential in India’s smaller regions.
The development of this browser is expected to provide enhanced data security and privacy by adhering to India’s Data Protection Act and ensuring user data remains within national borders. With its own certificate trust store incorporating CCA India Root Certificate, the browser will cater to the needs of Indian users, setting new benchmarks for secure and trustworthy digital interaction. The initiative marks a crucial step toward creating an Indian digital stack while empowering citizens with innovative solutions for web surfing, online transactions, and e-office activities.
Aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this endeavor underscores the importance of technological self-reliance, aiming to foster innovation and accelerate the journey from ideation to large-scale productization. The web browser initiative is a testament to India’s commitment to strengthening its digital future and achieving sovereignty in technology and cybersecurity.
