Draft 1
Contents
- Introduction
- Hyperledger Foundation
- Hyperledger Projects
- Blockchain Adoption in India
- Key Impact Areas
- Indian Blockchain Policy
- Hyperledger Applications in Indian Subcontinent
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Arunachal Pradesh
C. Assam
D. Bihar
E. Chhattisgarh
F. Goa
G. Gujarat
H. Haryana
I. Himachal Pradesh
J. Jharkhand
K. Karnataka
L. Kerala
M. Madhya Pradesh
N. Maharashtra
O. Manipur
P. Meghalaya
Q. Mizoram
R. Nagaland
S. Odisha
T. Punjab
U. Rajasthan
V. Sikkim
W. Tamil Nadu
X. Telangana
Y. Tripura
Z. Uttarakhand
AA. Uttar Pradesh
AB. West Bengal
AC. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
AD. Chandigarh
AE. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
AF The Government of NCT of Delhi
AG. Jammu & Kashmir
AH. Ladakh
AI. Lakshadweep
AI. Puducherry - Additional Resources and Readings
- Acknowledgement
- About the Authors
Introduction
The Indian subcontinent, known for its rapid technological advancements and burgeoning digital economy, has increasingly embraced blockchain technology to drive innovation and transparency across various sectors. Hyperledger, a collaborative open-source blockchain initiative hosted by the Linux Foundation, has emerged as a pivotal tool in this transformation. The framework's adaptability, security, and scalability have made it particularly attractive for large-scale implementations in both the public and private sectors.
In recent years, several Indian Governmental bodies and organizations have initiated Hyperledger-based projects to address complex challenges and streamline operations. These projects span diverse domains, including healthcare, agriculture, supply chain management, and property registration. By leveraging the capabilities of Hyperledger frameworks such as Fabric and Sawtooth, these initiatives aim to enhance data integrity, ensure traceability, and reduce fraud.
This whitepaper highlight the Indian subcontinent's commitment to harnessing blockchain technology for public good, setting a precedent for other regions to follow. As Hyperledger continues to evolve, its projects within the subcontinent are likely to expand, further embedding blockchain as a cornerstone of digital transformation in the region.
Hyperledger Foundation
The Hyperledger Foundation is the open, global ecosystem for enterprise blockchain technologies. As part of the Linux Foundation, it is a neutral home for developers to collaborate, contribute, and maintain open source software.
Hyperledger was founded in 2015 to bring the transparency and efficiency of DLT technologies to the enterprise market, leveraging the well-proven open source software model. The high level aim is to enable solutions that connect industries, organizations, and even individuals more directly, recreating how information is shared and business is conducted. Read the Hyperledger Foundation Whitepaper.
The Hyperledger Foundation hosts a number of open source software projects that serve as the building blocks for enterprise blockchain deployments. These projects are conceived and built by the Hyperledger developer community as freely available, enterprise-grade software that vendors, end user organizations, service providers, start-ups, academics, and others can use to build and deploy blockchain networks and even commercial solutions.
Hyperledger Projects
Hyperledger projects are created by global community in open source. Open source software development is a transparent process, which is particularly fitting for blockchain technologies. It brings together organizations and individuals with different requirements and drives them to work together to develop common solutions that can be the foundation for mutual success - another good parallel with blockchain.
The complete list of Hyperledger projects can be found here. Below are few of them.
Hyperledger Fabric - A blockchain framework implementation intended as a foundation for developing applications or solutions with a modular architecture.
Hyperledger FireFly is the first open source Supernode: a complete stack for enterprises to build and scale secure Web3 applications.
A distributed ledger that provides tools, libraries, and reusable components for creating and using independent digital identities.
Solang is a Solidity compiler written in rust which uses llvm as the compiler backend. Solang can compile Solidity for Solana and Substrate.
A developer friendly blockchain platform written in C++, aimed at helping businesses and financial institutions manage digital assets.
Blockchain Adoption in India
Blockchain technology has garnered significant attention and adoption in India across various sectors due to its potential to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency. The Indian government's proactive stance towards digital innovation and the robust tech ecosystem have facilitated the integration of blockchain into multiple facets of the economy.
a) Key Impact Areas
Here are key areas where blockchain adoption is making a substantial impact in India:
1. Financial Services
- Banking: Major banks like State Bank of India (SBI) and ICICI Bank are exploring blockchain for secure and efficient banking operations, including cross-border payments and trade finance. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is into the development of CBDC.
- Insurance: Companies are utilizing blockchain to streamline claims processing, enhance fraud detection, and improve customer service.
2. Supply Chain Management
- Agriculture: Blockchain is used to track the supply chain of agricultural products, ensuring authenticity and quality. For example, APEDA uses blockchain to ensure transparency in the export of agricultural products.
- Pharmaceuticals: To combat counterfeit drugs, blockchain ensures the traceability of pharmaceutical products from manufacturers to consumers.
3. Public Sector
- Property Registration: States like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have implemented blockchain for land and property registration, ensuring secure and tamper-proof records.
- Healthcare: The National Health Stack aims to use blockchain to create a unified health record system, improving data security and patient care.
4. Identity Management
- Digital Identity: Initiatives like Aadhaar, India’s biometric identity system, are exploring blockchain to enhance the security and privacy of identity verification processes.
5. Voting Systems
- Elections: The Election Commission of India is researching blockchain-based voting systems to enable secure and transparent remote voting for citizens, especially non-resident Indians (NRIs).
6. Energy Sector
- Renewable Energy: Blockchain is being used to manage and trade renewable energy credits, ensuring efficient and transparent energy transactions.
7. Education
- Credential Verification: Universities and educational institutions are adopting blockchain to issue and verify academic credentials, reducing fraud and streamlining the verification process.
b) Indian Blockchain Policy
India's blockchain policy framework reflects the government's recognition of blockchain technology's potential to transform various sectors by enhancing transparency, security, and efficiency. The policy landscape is evolving, with multiple initiatives and regulatory measures aimed at fostering the development and adoption of blockchain in the country. Here are key elements of India's blockchain policy:
1. National Strategy on Blockchain
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has outlined a National Strategy on Blockchain to leverage the technology for various governmental and private sector applications. The strategy focuses on:
- Promoting Research and Development: Encouraging R&D in blockchain technologies to build indigenous capabilities.
- Creating a National Blockchain Framework: Developing a standardized framework to ensure interoperability and scalability of blockchain solutions across sectors.
- Capacity Building: Training and skill development programs to create a workforce proficient in blockchain technology.
- Pilot Projects: Implementing pilot projects in key areas such as supply chain management, land records, and digital identity to demonstrate blockchain's efficacy.
2. Regulatory Sandbox
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has established a regulatory sandbox to facilitate the testing of innovative financial technologies, including blockchain. This sandbox allows startups and businesses to test their blockchain applications in a controlled environment, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while fostering innovation.
3. State-Level Initiatives
Several Indian states have launched their own blockchain initiatives to address specific local challenges. It is discussed in the next section.
4. Financial Sector Regulations
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) are exploring the use of blockchain for enhancing the efficiency and transparency of financial transactions, including securities trading and insurance claims processing.
5. Cryptocurrency Regulations
While blockchain technology itself is widely supported, the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in India has been more cautious. The following measures reflect the government's stance on cryptocurrencies:
- Cryptocurrency Ban and Lift: In 2018, the RBI imposed a ban on banks dealing with cryptocurrency transactions, which was lifted by the Supreme Court in 2020.
- Cryptocurrency Bill: The government has proposed various drafts of cryptocurrency regulation, aiming to create a regulatory framework that distinguishes between blockchain technology and the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies. The latest discussions suggest a balanced approach to regulating cryptocurrencies, focusing on preventing illegal activities while fostering innovation.
6. National Blockchain Framework
MeitY's proposed National Blockchain Framework aims to create a cohesive infrastructure for blockchain adoption across the country. This includes:
- Interoperability Standards: Developing standards to ensure different blockchain systems can work together seamlessly.
- Security Protocols: Establishing robust security measures to protect blockchain networks from cyber threats.
- Data Privacy: Ensuring compliance with data protection laws, such as the Personal Data Protection Bill, in blockchain implementations.
7. Collaboration with International Bodies
India is collaborating with international organizations and other countries to harmonize blockchain standards and regulations, ensuring the global compatibility of its blockchain solutions.
8. Public and Private Sector Collaboration
The Indian government encourages collaboration between public institutions and private enterprises to foster blockchain innovation. This includes partnerships with tech companies, startups, and academic institutions to drive blockchain research and deployment.
Hyperledger Applications in Indian Subcontinent
This section depicts the Hyperledger projects used in different states in India.
Indian States:
A. Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh was at the forefront of blockchain development in India, becoming the first state to pilot blockchain technology in two departments, with plans to expand it across the administration, specifically in the Transportation and Land Records departments. This initiative aims to enhance e-governance by ensuring secure, immutable, and transparent record-keeping. The blockchain solution addresses current challenges such as complex documentation, verification burdens on buyers, high legal disputes, inefficient record management, and lack of uniformity across states. By integrating blockchain, the AP government will maintain a tamper-proof and accessible ledger of all transactions, ensuring the authenticity and security of property records, reducing disputes, and improving overall administrative efficiency.
The Andhra Pradesh government is collaborating with Zebi Data to develop blockchain-based solutions for land registry and has partnered with Hitachi to create an online platform for citizen governance. Blockchain technology is also being applied in sectors such as cybersecurity, healthcare, and vehicle title registration. Additionally, VIT-AP University, in association with IDS (Information Data Systems), inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Blockchain, further solidifying the state's commitment to leveraging this technology.
B. Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh's foray into blockchain development is in its early stages. While there aren't any reports of major projects currently underway, the state shows promise for future adoption. The government acknowledges blockchain's potential as a career path, and the availability of online certification courses suggests a growing interest in the technology. These initial steps indicate Arunachal Pradesh is setting the groundwork for future blockchain development.
C. Assam
Assam is emerging as a frontrunner in blockchain adoption in India. The District-level Blockchain-based cadastre and land records registry pilot, launched in Darrang district, marks a significant step towards ensuring security, accountability, and scrutiny of land records from start to end. This pilot project, set to be rolled out across Assam shortly, promises to usher in a new era of transparency and efficiency in land administration, paving the way for comprehensive land records management in the state. The state government has taken a proactive approach by partnering with companies like Nucleus Vision to develop blockchain-powered citizen services, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and security in government operations.
Public awareness is also growing, with workshops and events sparking interest in blockchain among citizens and businesses. Local startups are exploring its potential in areas like agriculture, education, and supply chain management. Overall, Assam's government initiatives, coupled with a growing tech ecosystem, position the state for a leading role in India's blockchain revolution.
D. Bihar
While there haven't been any major developments in blockchain adoption in Bihar yet, the state is in the initial stages of exploring its potential. The Bihar Government's Department of Information Technology (DIT) took a positive step by organizing a workshop on Blockchain for Government applications. This workshop aimed to educate participants on how blockchain technology could be used to improve efficiency, transparency, and security in various government functions. This focus on understanding blockchain aligns with the national strategy unveiled by MeitY in 2021, which aims to create a framework for nationwide adoption of blockchain technology.
E. Chhattisgarh
The Chhattisgarh government's current stands on blockchain applications remains unclear. While there's no evidence of active adoption, the 2018 Chhattisgarh Blockchain Challenge suggests an initial exploration of the technology's potential. However, Blockchain Conferences in Chhattisgarh 2024 are prime venues for discussing the latest research and networking with industry experts. These events feature verified international conferences on various topics including Engineering, Science, Medicine, Mathematics, Blockchain, and Management.
F. Goa
Goa is in the early stages of blockchain development. Although not much information is available, in 2022, the Goa Police announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 5ire, a fifth-generation blockchain network company, at its crime branch office in Ribandar to go digital. The MoU aims to create a public-private partnership between 5ire and Goa Police to implement a smart policing solution to improve transparency and efficiency. This partnership will help streamline procedures for all stakeholders and assist in the digitization and digitalization of offline systems.
G. Gujarat
The Government of Gujarat has entered into a strategic MoU to digitalize notarization, implementing a cutting-edge digital notarization system that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. This innovative system aims to revolutionize the traditional notarization process, offering a secure, efficient, and transparent solution for document authentication and verification. Traditional notarization in India often involves manual procedures, leading to delays, inefficiencies, and potential fraud. By adopting AI and blockchain, these challenges can be addressed, creating a reliable and tamper-proof digital notarization system that supports India's vision of becoming a digital-first nation.
A Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Blockchain Technology has been established at Gujarat Technological University with financial assistance from the Education Department of the Government of Gujarat.
H. Haryana
The state-run Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has established an incubation facility at its Gurugram campus with the goal of incubating 100 startups over the next five years, this facility, known as the Apiary Center of Entrepreneurship (CoE) at STPI-Gurugram, was set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), STPI, the Haryana government, Padup Ventures, IBM, Intel, the Global Blockchain Association (GBA), and FITT.
The Centre for Research and Industrial Staff Performance (CRISP) based in Madhya Pradesh has joined forces with the School Education Board of Haryana to revolutionize the certification process for 5 lakh students. Utilizing their self-developed blockchain technology, CRISP will provide the Haryana School Education Board with digital certificate printing and online verification services. This initiative aims to enhance the security, efficiency, and transparency of the certification process in Haryana.
I. Himachal Pradesh
The Niti Aayog has launched a pilot project in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh government to improve apple farming using blockchain technology. This initiative aims to ensure quality production and monitor the produce throughout the storage and supply chain. Blockchain can address issues of quality and traceability that have hindered India's food exports. Following the pilot, the technology will be expanded to other crops like mangoes, bananas, grapes, and pomegranates. This project leverages IoT sensors to track crop data and distribution, enabling consumers to verify product quality.
J. Jharkhand
One of Jharkhand's main development strategies is to ensure sustainable agricultural and rural progress. Key crops include paddy, maize, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, potato, and vegetables, with high-quality seeds being vital for farmers' livelihoods. However, issues like spurious seeds and delayed distribution have impacted sowing cycles and yields. To address these challenges, the Jharkhand government has implemented a blockchain-based "Seed Traceability" platform, ensuring transparency and security in seed distribution. This system records each transaction, providing real-time visibility from demand creation to distribution. The platform connects various stakeholders through a robust digital ledger, ensuring efficient seed distribution and continuous program improvement. This initiative makes Jharkhand the first state in India to deploy such advanced technology for agricultural benefit.
K. Karnataka
Karnataka has implemented several blockchain projects to enhance transparency and efficiency:
1. Karnataka State Drugs Logistic and Warehousing Society: Blockchain technology is used to record all transactions of drug supplies. Each stakeholder's register (ledger) is updated whenever a drug is supplied, purchased, or issued, ensuring complete surveillance without a central authority to manipulate records. http://dlc.kar.nic.in
2. Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board and Karnataka Pre-University Education Examination Board: Since 2020, SSLC and PUC marks cards are stored on the blockchain, enabling easy verification for students, citizens, and other departments. http://kseeb.karnataka.gov.in/nicblockchain_new
3. Karnataka Directorate of Economics and Statistics: Birth and death certificates have been recorded on the blockchain since April 2022 for easy verification. http://certificatechain.nic.in
4. Revenue Department, GOK: Caste and income certificates have been recorded on the blockchain since January 2018, with about 62 lakh certificates available as of May 2022. Verification can be done via http://certificatechain.nic.in
L. Kerala
The Kerala state government has initiated several blockchain projects to enhance transparency, efficiency, and security across various sectors. Notably, the Kerala Blockchain Academy (KBA), launched in 2017, promotes education, research, and industry collaboration using Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum. In 2018, a blockchain-based supply chain management system was piloted to improve transparency and traceability in agriculture, utilizing Hyperledger Fabric. The Digital Health Records project, started in 2019, aims to create secure and interoperable health records using Hyperledger Fabric. In the same year, the government deployed blockchain for Land Records Management to prevent fraud and ensure tamper-proof records, also leveraging Hyperledger Fabric. The Public Distribution System (PDS) pilot in 2020 focused on enhancing the efficiency and transparency of food grain distribution with Hyperledger Fabric. Additionally, blockchain-based certification for educational institutions, launched in 2020, uses Ethereum to securely issue and verify academic certificates. These initiatives reflect Kerala's commitment to using blockchain technology to improve governance and public services.
M. Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh has just started its journey in blockchain technology and is spreading awareness across the state. According to information from the Public Relations Department of Madhya Pradesh on June 25, 2023, CRISP will provide digital certificate printing and online verification services to the Haryana School Education Board (BSEH) using blockchain technology developed by Madhya Pradesh. An agreement for this collaboration was signed between CRISP Madhya Pradesh and BSEH on June 22.
N. Maharashtra
Maharashtra has shown promising strides in exploring blockchain technology for government services as of June 2024. One notable accomplishment is a pilot project launched in Gadchiroli district in 2022. This initiative utilizes blockchain's secure and tamper-proof features to verify the authenticity of caste certificates. This innovation helps combat forgery and empowers individuals with genuine certificates to rightfully access government benefits. Recognizing the potential of blockchain for streamlining e-governance, the government envisions its application in crucial areas like land records management, asset transactions, and even supply chain management. Their commitment to fostering innovation is further evidenced by their participation in hackathons, which have yielded successful solutions like the aforementioned caste certificate project. However, it's important to acknowledge that these developments are in their early stages. While the Maharashtra government demonstrates a clear interest in further exploration of blockchain technology, widespread implementations across various departments haven't been established yet.
O. Manipur
As of 2024, there isn't any publicly available information indicating significant developments in blockchain technology by the Manipur government
P. Meghalaya
As of 2024, there isn't any publicly available information indicating significant developments in blockchain technology by the Manipur government
Q. Mizoram
As of 2024, there isn't any publicly available information indicating significant developments in blockchain technology by the Manipur government
R. Nagaland
As of 2024, there isn't any publicly available information indicating significant developments in blockchain technology by the Manipur government
S. Odisha
The Odisha government's 2024 blockchain push targeted both exploration and infrastructure development. Early in the year, they experimented with blockchain's potential in areas like land record management and their Paddy Procurement System, recognizing its ability to boost data security and transparency. To solidify their commitment to emerging tech, they established a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence. A major step came in January with a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a service provider to design, develop, implement, and maintain a state-wide Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) platform. This platform, potentially with hubs in key locations, would serve as the foundation for future departmental blockchain applications. While details on the chosen provider or platform's development remain under wraps, the RFP signifies their commitment to BaaS implementation. With the groundwork laid, successful BaaS implementation could unlock a wave of blockchain-powered solutions across Odisha's government departments.
T. Punjab
While there haven't been any announcements of large-scale blockchain deployments by the Punjab government as of 2024, they are actively exploring its potential. Their Agriculture Department is investigating using blockchain for smart farming solutions, focusing on tracking seeds, organic produce, and pesticide usage. This suggests a focus on transparency and traceability within the agricultural sector.
U. Rajasthan
V. Sikkim
W. Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu drafted its Blockchain Policy in 2020. The major points in it are: 1. Data integrity and audit trails for government data and documents including inter and intra-organizational data, files and certificates, receipts, licenses, identification documents, blueprints, etc. The data and documents being secured can be generated from the e-sevai platform or from other TN Government portals. 2. Securing academic records, certificates, degrees, and diplomas and providing a secure and trusted workflow for verification of these records by authorities 3. Creating a portable digital identity and implementing privacy protection for residents of Tamil Nadu. 4. Using blockchain technology to secure TN government websites and portals against cyber threats and unauthorized manipulations. 5. Securing land registration transactions and enabling cross-departmental workflows for land mutation. 6. Tracking agriculture produce to help increase profitability of farmers 7. Creating a secure healthcare platform for safe storage and transmission of health data for the residents of Tamil Nadu. 8. Blockchain-enabled platforms for seamless distribution of benefits to residents of Tamil Nadu.
In 2022 December, the Tamil Nadu Government issues Soulbound Token as a means of providing Digital Medal. These tokens have been issued to the outstanding team members, starting with the police department. Soulbound Tokens are non-fungible tokens. However, unlike the regular NFTs, the SBTs are non-transferable, which represent a person’s identity utilizing the technology of blockchain. Infact, they represent a person's reputation and accomplishments, a kind of ‘extended resume’.
In 2023 January, the Tamil Nadu Police Idol Wing has picked on the blockchain technology for various purposes. They are first in the world to use this technology for foolproof recording of complaints & redressal of grievances using the app Idol Wing CID. NFTs and Soulbound Tokens are being rewarded to informants helping it in idol seizures.
In 2023 June, Tamil Nadu has unveiled a blockchain-as-a-service infrastructure named Nambikkai Inaiyam (NI), which it refers to as the "blockchain backbone" of the state. It has also launched a blockchain-based mobile app, known as e-Pettagam app, for securely sharing digitized documents. By utilizing NI, the government can protect various records from tampering, including e-sevai certificates, academic certificates, mark sheets, licenses, and land transaction records. The e-Pettagam app, as per an official release, provides a solution for securely sharing these digitized documents.