In a bid to bolster trust and transparency in digital services, the Union government on September 4 launched the National Blockchain Framework (NBF).
Led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the initiative aims to use blockchain technology to secure citizen-centric applications and support the development of decentralized services.
Let's take a look at the initiative in detail.
What exactly is the National Blockchain Framework?
The National Blockchain Framework is a government effort to build a trusted digital ecosystem using blockchain technology. Unlike public blockchains like Bitcoin or Ethereum, NBF uses permissioned blockchains—networks where only authorised participants can access and validate transactions.
The goal is to apply this technology to a range of government services, with an emphasis on security, privacy, and transparency.
How is the framework being implemented?
The NBF is built on a distributed infrastructure that spans three National Informatics Centre (NIC) data centers located in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad.
By spreading it across multiple locations, the government aims to reduce the risk of system failures while ensuring the continuous availability of services.
What tools does NBF offer to developers and researchers?
One of the features of the NBF is NBFLite, a sandbox platform tailored for startups and academic institutions. NBFLite will allow users to develop and prototype blockchain-based applications in a controlled environment, with the aim to enable innovation without the need for heavy investment in infrastructure.
The platform will also serve as a training ground for future developers.
What role does Praamaanik play in the framework?
Praamaanik, another key element within the NBF, is a blockchain-based solution that aims to ensure the authenticity of mobile applications. This has been introduced given the rise of counterfeit apps that pose security risks.
Praamaanik will offer a way to verify the origins of apps on a blockchain, providing developers and users with a transparent and secure method of authentication.
How will this framework affect governance in India?
The government believes that blockchain can transform the delivery of public services by making them more transparent and accountable.
According to S Krishnan, secretary of MeitY, the NBF will be crucial in building digital trust and ensuring that government services remain secure and reliable.
Who’s behind the development of NBF?
This initiative has been developed in collaboration public bodies such as the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), and institutions such as IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad, and others. The project has already produced patents and research publications.
What’s next for the framework?
The NBF is just getting started. The framework is expected to expand as more government departments adopt it for their services, with MeitY encouraging the onboarding of additional platforms and innovations. The broader vision is to position India as a global leader in blockchain technology, exporting these homegrown solutions and integrating them into the global digital economy.
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