The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) initiated the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC) on August 9, 2023, during the Launch Programme held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The browser challenge was jointly inaugurated by key dignitaries, including Smt. Sunita Verma, Scientist G & Group Coordinator (R&D in Electronics & Information Technology), Shri Arvind Kumar, Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) at MeitY, and Dr. S. D. Sudarshan, Executive Director of C-DAC, Bangalore.
Empowering Innovation – The Indian Web Browser Development Challenge
The IWBDC, led by MeitY, CCA, and C-DAC Bangalore, is an Open Challenge Competition aimed at inspiring and empowering technology enthusiasts, innovators, and developers from all parts of India to create an indigenous web browser. This browser should have its trust store with an inbuilt CCA India root certificate, cutting-edge functionalities, and advanced security and data privacy protection features. The browser is also expected to focus on accessibility, user-friendliness, and the ability to digitally sign documents using a crypto token, enhancing secure transactions and digital interactions.
Fostering Digital Empowerment – The Indian Web Browser Development Challenge
Smt. Sunita Verma conveyed the message of Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary of MeitY, highlighting that this challenge plays a significant role in advancing India’s digital sovereignty through the development of an Indian Web Browser. She emphasized that digital innovation will be pivotal in realizing the vision of a self-reliant, digitally empowered India. Shri Arvind Kumar, CCA, MeitY, discussed the importance of trustworthiness and security in digital certificates, while Shri S D Sudarshan, ED, C-DAC Bangalore, outlined the challenge’s structure, the selection process, and the prizes for winners.
The program witnessed participation from various sectors, including government departments, industry, start-ups, and academia, with over 200 participants in both online and offline modes. The event concluded with an invitation to all innovative minds to participate in the challenge and contribute to the development of an Indian Web Browser.
