Hyperledger India - eBook

Draft 1

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Hyperledger Foundation
3. Hyperledger Projects
4. Hyperledger India Chapter
5. Blockchain Adoption in India
   1. Key Impact Areas
   2. Indian Blockchain Policy
6. 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
7. Additional Resources and Readings
8. Acknowledgement 
9. 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.

Hyperledger India Chapter

The Hyperledger India Chapter is responsible for growing the Hyperledger community in India, promoting contributions to Hyperledger projects and providing a platform for collaboration, mentoring and support. The chapter aims to showcase the broad range of Hyperledger projects and initiatives to the Indian audience. It is one of the very active chapters, and continuously organizes events, conferences, and meet-ups. You can find more details about it here.

The current leadership of India Chapter are:

Co-Chairs: Deepika P. Karanji, Vikram Sharma, Kamlesh Nagware

Student Chapter Leads: Ravi Prathap Singh, A. Anasuya Threse Innocent

Event Management Leads: Ritu Jain, Karthikey Kashyap

Developer Advocates: Nidhi Singh, Aditya Joshi, Karthikey Kashyap

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.

The Government of India (GoI) has embarked on significant initiatives to integrate blockchain technology and develop a digital rupee, demonstrating a strong commitment to technological advancement and financial innovation.

National Blockchain Framework:

In 2020, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced the "National Strategy on Blockchain," which outlines the GoI's vision for a robust blockchain ecosystem in India. Central to this strategy is the "National Blockchain Framework," aimed at establishing standards and guidelines to foster innovation and create secure, interoperable blockchain applications across various sectors. While there is no official completion date or a confirmed "Made in India" blockchain technology by 2027, the framework seeks to propel India towards becoming a leader in blockchain adoption.

Integration with Emerging Technologies:

The strategy highlights the convergence of blockchain with other emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), referred to as the "BICA Stack" (Blockchain, IoT, Cloud, AI). This integration has the potential to revolutionize industries, enhance operational efficiencies, and create new opportunities for innovation.

Digital Rupee:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has expressed concerns about the volatility of private cryptocurrencies. In response, they are actively exploring a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), known as the digital rupee. This digital currency, regulated by the RBI, aims to reduce reliance on physical cash, improve the efficiency and security of online payment systems, and provide an alternative to private cryptocurrencies. While not necessarily based on blockchain technology, the digital rupee seeks to mitigate risks such as money laundering and financial instability.

Current Status and Future Outlook:

The development of both the National Blockchain Framework and the digital rupee is ongoing, with updates available through official government channels like the MeitY and RBI websites. The GoI's strategy, though not explicitly confirming a 2027 target for a "Made in India" blockchain, underscores a clear commitment to exploring and leveraging blockchain technology.

In summary, the Government of India is making considerable progress in integrating blockchain technology and developing a digital rupee. These initiatives reflect the country's dedication to technological innovation and its potential to enhance governance, financial systems, and service delivery across various sectors.

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 Mizoram government

R.    Nagaland

As of 2024, there isn't any publicly available information indicating significant developments in blockchain technology by the Nagaland 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

Rajasthan established a Center of Excellence in Blockchain in 2022. This Centre of Excellence for Blockchain Technology operates as a coordinated, interoperable blockchain ecosystem across the state, acting as a gateway to test and develop optimal solutions for state-level application areas. The Center provides leadership, a research environment, best practices, and sandboxes for the development and implementation of various e-governance projects. These include Janaadhar, Land Registration, Health Records Management, and the Financial Management System (IFMS). It supports all stakeholders, including government departments, startups, IT professionals, SMEs, and blockchain practitioners. The CoE also encourages research and development activities in blockchain technologies and allied fields to work on identified use cases.

V.    Sikkim 

As of 2024, there isn't any publicly available information indicating significant developments in blockchain technology by the Nagaland government.

W.   Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has made significant progress in incorporating blockchain technology into its governance framework through various innovative projects. The state launched the “Nambikkai Inaiyam” project, aiming to provide every citizen with a unique state ID that combines all essential documents into a single digital wallet, accessible via the e-Pettagam App. The Tamil Nadu Blockchain Policy, drafted in 2020, outlines key initiatives including data integrity and audit trails for government documents, securing academic records and certificates, creating portable digital identities, and protecting government websites and portals from cyber threats. The policy also focuses on securing land registration transactions, tracking agricultural produce to increase farmers' profitability, and creating a secure healthcare platform for residents. Additionally, blockchain technology is used to ensure seamless distribution of benefits to residents.

In December 2022, the Tamil Nadu government introduced Soulbound Tokens (SBTs) as digital medals for outstanding team members, starting with the police department. Unlike regular NFTs, SBTs are non-transferable and represent a person’s identity and achievements. In January 2023, the Tamil Nadu Police Idol Wing adopted blockchain technology for recording complaints and redressing grievances, becoming the first in the world to use this technology in such a manner. They also reward informants aiding in idol seizures with NFTs and Soulbound Tokens.

In June 2023, Tamil Nadu unveiled a blockchain-as-a-service infrastructure named Nambikkai Inaiyam (NI), referred to as the "blockchain backbone" of the state. This initiative includes the e-Pettagam app for securely sharing digitized documents, protecting various records from tampering, including e-sevai certificates, academic certificates, mark sheets, licenses, and land transaction records. These efforts demonstrate Tamil Nadu’s commitment to leveraging blockchain technology for improved governance and citizen services.

X.    Telangana

The Telangana government has made significant strides in blockchain technology, aiming to become a leader in this field. Here are key initiatives:

India's First Blockchain District: Telangana is conceptualizing the country's first "Blockchain District" within Hyderabad. This physical space house major blockchain companies, incubators, and research facilities, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Talent Pool Development: Recognizing the importance of skilled professionals, the government plans to collaborate with industry and academia to offer blockchain courses, re-skill the existing workforce, and create a virtual community for stakeholders to connect.

Policy Framework: A draft Blockchain Policy released in 2019 outlines the vision for developing the ecosystem. The goal is to position Hyderabad as a top 10 global blockchain city.

Y.    Tripura

The Tripura government has teamed up with the NIC Blockchain Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, utilizing its APIs for a blockchain-based beneficiary management system. This initiative secures approved beneficiary lists, transaction requests, and details of successful transactions on the blockchain. Tripura joins a growing list of Indian states and government agencies using blockchain across various use cases. This move aligns with the state government's mission to promote 'Digital Tripura' and is supported by initiatives such as the IT/ITeS Startup Scheme, Data Centre Policy, ITeS Policy, and IT Incentive Scheme. By leveraging the NIC Blockchain Centre's APIs, Tripura ensures the secure storage of state beneficiary data, protecting essential records from potential tampering.

Z.    Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand has launched a pilot project for blockchain-based asset tracking solutions with its medical colleges. Utilizing blockchain technology as a decentralized distributed ledger, the project aims to solve inventory and asset management issues across medical colleges and hospitals. It will aggregate data from multiple centers, enabling secure cross-collaboration. This approach is expected to enhance efficiencies, improve inventory management, and reduce instances of overspending on equipment.

AA.    Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh government is the India's and South-Asia's first government to introduce blockchain based peer-to-peer energy trading for roof-top solar panels, installed in Lucknow. This project is started in 2019 in collaboration with the the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL), Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (MVVNL), Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), India Smart Grid Forum(ISGF), and Power Ledger, Australia. 

Apart from the energy sector, Uttar Pradesh government has drafted its blockchain policy in 2018 itself, and successfully implemented land and revenue records in blockchain. Indian Institute of Technology - Kanpur (IIT-K) is working along with the state government and developed blockchain based technology for agricultural applications. 

The government has also piloted trials to award degrees under Niti Aayog. It started issuing digital certificates on the blockchain (IndiaChain) from the 2019 batch onwards. Niti Aayog also running blockchain-based pilots on electronic health records and land records, amongst others will be a huge boost in bringing transparency in governance and reducing frauds.

AB.    West Bengal 

The West Bengal government is making significant strides in integrating blockchain technology into its governance framework. The "West Bengal Blockchain Technology Promotion Guidelines, 2020" outlines a comprehensive plan to leverage blockchain for efficient service delivery, focusing on both government-to-citizen (G2C) and government-to-government (G2G) services. Key initiatives include the use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) by the New Town Kolkata Development Authority to manage land ownership records, enhancing transparency and eliminating manual paperwork. Additionally, municipal corporations in Durgapur and Bankura districts have developed a blockchain-based platform for issuing legal documents like birth certificates, ensuring secure processing. In collaboration with Web3 startup Airchains, a blockchain-based system for recording and tracking land ownership and mutations in New Town Kolkata has been introduced, improving transparency, security, and efficiency in land management. The guidelines also propose establishing a hybrid blockchain platform hosted within the state's data center or relevant cloud services, providing robust infrastructure for future applications. These initiatives underscore West Bengal's commitment to harnessing blockchain technology for improved governance.

Union Territories:

AC.    Andaman and Nicobar Islands

As of 2024, there isn't any publicly available information indicating significant developments in blockchain technology by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands government. 

AD.    Chandigarh

The Assistant Professors at NMIMS Chandigarh School of Commerce, have been jointly awarded a patent by the German Patent and Trademark Office for their innovation titled "Blockchain-based System of Secure Transaction Protocol for Efficient Financial Auditing of Large Organisations." Their breakthrough leverages blockchain technology to revolutionize financial auditing by addressing inefficiencies and vulnerabilities in traditional, manual, and centralized auditing systems. Utilizing a dual-layer blockchain architecture, their system enhances security, transparency, and efficiency, incorporating advanced cryptographic techniques, smart contract automation, and user-friendly interfaces. This innovation represents a significant advancement in financial auditing, data integrity, and regulatory compliance, showcasing the transformative potential of blockchain technology in large-scale financial operations.

The Blockchain Lab setup at NIELIT Chandigarh serves as a hub for leveraging blockchain technologies in application development. It offers students hands-on experience, covering everything from blockchain fundamentals to advanced topics within the ecosystem. Students use test-networks to design, deploy distributed applications (dApps), and integrate them with web applications.

AE.    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu 

AF    The Government of NCT of Delhi

The Delhi government has emerged as a frontrunner in leveraging blockchain technology for government processes in India. In a groundbreaking initiative, Delhi implemented blockchain in its Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to ensure tamper-proof handling of evidence collected from crime scenes. This creates an immutable record of the evidence chain, enhancing transparency and reliability in the judicial system. Although broader implementations haven't been announced yet, this initial success paves the way for exploring blockchain's potential in other areas like land record management and citizen service delivery.

Additionally, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has set up an incubation facility in the Delhi NCR region to foster 100 blockchain startups. The centre, equipped with 80 workstations, conference rooms, and an auditorium, aims to support startups and promote entrepreneurship in blockchain technology. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) will collaborate with ecosystem players to provide support in the form of dedicated blockchain platforms, mentorship, mentoring programs, VC funding, and more. This development comes at a time when both the government and private sector are increasingly using blockchain and working on new use cases for the technology, positioning Delhi as a leader in blockchain innovation and adoption.

AG.   Jammu & Kashmir

AH.   Ladakh

AI.    Lakshadweep

AI.    Puducherry

Puducherry government is leading in the technology enhancements by providing the necessary support to its citizens and officials. It is one of the first union territories to get involved in the central government's blockchain projects. It has implemented the land registry using blockchain, certificate chain, and is working on the public distribution system using blockchain. Puducherry government is providing incentives to the logistics companies which adapt latest technologies inclusive of blockchain for real-time supply chain management. Logistics Centre of Excellence (LCoE) will provide the necessary training for incorporating the new technology in supply chain, which in turn provide Smart Enforcement by means of minimal inspection and stoppages of trucks on road.

Central Government Applications:

The Center of Excellence in Blockchain Technology which was formed in 2020 under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre is running 5 blockchain products successfully as of June 2024. It has successfully involved 9 central organizations and states, onboarding 19 departments, and incorporating 8,08,39,919 documents. It also provides 6 verification services, and there are 5 projects in PoC stage.

The 5 live blockchain products are:

Certificate Chain is developed to overcome the drawbacks of paper-based certificates. In this system, the Certificate can be accessed online by any authorized person / institution and be assured that it is genuine and not tampered – all this without the need for an intermediary. This provides the necessary trust to the agencies which use these documents to ascertain the eligibility for providing benefit to the citizens. The academic documents of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is being stored in the Blockchain, which is a nationwide revolutionary application.

Document Chain is a single platform that provides the issuing authorities and consuming entities a standard procedure for storage and retrieval of any document issued by the government such as caste, income, ration card, driving license, birth & death certificates etc.

The certificates / documents onboarded till now with state / department wise are given below:

Source: https://certificatechain.nic.in/Home/DocumentsOnboarded

Drug Logistics Chain provides traceability in the transactions (track & trace) reducing the changes of entry of spurious drugs, enhances precision and brings transparency. Patient can check the details of the manufacturer, expiry details & quality of the medicine before consumption. Efficient recall system can be implemented when the quality of the drug is found to be not-of-standard. The resulting integrated supply chain system brings in all stake holders to a common platform. This is successfully deployed by the Karnataka state government for the past few years.

Judiciary Chain democratize access to the justice system by reducing complexity related to availability of trusted, immutable, time-stamped data and documents.

Property Chain records the property transactions in the shared/distributed manner with all the participating stakeholders. The property transactions are recorded in the chain based on the consensus with the stakeholders. This eliminates the need for dependency on the third party or intermediary to approve the transactions. The property transactions are linked and stored with cryptographic security so that they are immutable and traceable. The linking of the blocks (group of transactions) in the Blockchain ensures that they cannot be tampered with. The property transactions are trustable as they can be verified across the participating stakeholders, resulting in a system that is secured, trusted, immutable, traceable, & verifiable. 

Most of the Indian states are providing their support for these projects and effectively implementing them in the respective states.

The central organizations and local governments involved are:

The departments onboarded till date are:

And the number of documents processed are:

The verification services provided are:

And, the projects in proof of concept stage are:

Source: https://blockchain.gov.in/

Additional Resources and Readings

Different resources have been used to write this whitepaper, and are listed here for further reading and reference.

1. https://8112310.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8112310/Hyperledger-Foundation-White-Paper.pdf
2. https://www.hyperledger.org/projects#All-Projects
3. https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/National_BCT_Strategy.pdf
4. https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-01/Blockchain_The_India_Strategy_Part_I.pdf
5. https://blockchain.gov.in/
6. https://www.nsws.gov.in/s3fs/2023-12/Puducherry%20Integrated%20Logistics%20Infrastructure%2C%20Multi%20Modal%20Logistics%20Park%20and%20Warehouse%20Policy%202023%20%281%29.pdf
7. https://indianmasterminds.com/features/change-makers/tamil-nadu-police-first-in-the-world-to-adopt-blockchain-technology/
8. https://www.indiatoday.in/cryptocurrency/story/tamil-nadu-government-nfts-as-digital-medal-2304022-2022-12-01
9. https://yourstory.com/the-decrypting-story/india-tamil-nadu-blockchain-mobile-wallet
10. https://tnega.tn.gov.in/assets/pdf/Blockchan_Policy_TamilNadu.pdf
11. https://certificatechain.nic.in/
12. https://invest.up.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Uttar-Pradesh-Government_091023.pdf
13. https://www.mercomindia.com/uttar-pradesh-blockchain-rooftop-solar-trading
14. https://entrackr.com/2018/07/uttar-pradesh-build-blockchain/

Acknowledgement 

About the Authors

A Anasuya Threse Innocent 

kamlesh nagware  

amit chandra 

Daniela Barbosa