Starting with its link to cryptocurrency, blockchain technology has now become one of the most powerful digital innovations of the 21st century. Unlike Artificial Intelligence (AI), which depends on computing power, blockchain’s strength lies in its ability to build trust without needing any middleman.
In India, most government systems still rely on centralized databases, which can lead to errors, fraud, and a lack of transparency. Blockchain solves these problems through its tamper-proof and distributed ledger system, where records are safely stored across many computers (nodes). This design makes unauthorized changes almost impossible and greatly improves data security and trust.
Recognizing its huge potential, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has created the National Blockchain Framework (NBF). This framework aims to guide the use of blockchain in public services, ensuring better transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
What is Blockchain?
Blockchain is a shared, transparent, secure, and unchangeable database. It works like a digital record book for transactions or data. It cannot be tampered with and can be accessed through a network of computers.
Understanding the Types of Blockchain
Public Blockchain:
In this network, anyone can access the records, verify transactions, perform proof-of-work, and add new blocks.Private Blockchain:
This is a permission-based blockchain limited to selected members within an organization. The controlling authority sets rules for security, access, and permissions, making it ideal for government use. It builds trust among participants while ensuring data privacy and better efficiency.Consortium Blockchain:
This type is semi-decentralized and jointly managed by multiple organizations for shared data management and verification.Hybrid Blockchain:
It combines both public and private blockchains, allowing access to specific data when needed.The main strengths of blockchain transparency, immutability, decentralization, and trust are at the core of the National Blockchain Framework. These features help build secure and efficient digital systems, improve governance, enhance public services, and reduce administrative barriers.
National Blockchain Framework: India’s Own Platform for Secure and Scalable Digital Governance
The National Blockchain Framework (NBF), launched in March 2021 with a budget of ₹64.76 crore, reached a major milestone with its official launch on September 4, 2024. NBF is designed to speed up the development and use of permission-based blockchain applications. It is a strategic step toward building a secure, transparent, and scalable digital infrastructure for India.
Technology Stack – Vishwasya Blockchain Stack
At the core of the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) is the Vishwasya Blockchain Stack. It is an indigenous and modular platform designed to provide the technical base for building and deploying blockchain-based applications for governance.
Here are its main features:
Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS):
Vishwasya offers blockchain infrastructure as a shared service. This allows government organizations to deploy blockchain-based applications without creating or managing their own infrastructure.
Distributed Infrastructure:
The stack is implemented in NIC data centers located in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad. This distributed network design ensures fault tolerance, scalability, and flexibility for blockchain applications.
Permissioned Blockchain Layer:
The platform is built on a permissioned blockchain, meaning only verified and authorized participants can take part in or validate transactions.Open APIs and Integration Services:
Vishwasya provides open APIs and integration modules for authentication and data exchange. These features make it easy to connect and work smoothly with e-governance platforms.
NBF-Lite – A Blockchain Sandbox for Startups and Academia
NBF-Lite is a sandbox version of the blockchain technology stack, designed to encourage innovation, experimentation, and skill development. It allows startups, research institutions, and students to create and test blockchain-based applications in a controlled environment — without needing a full-scale setup.
It also includes smart contract templates for key areas like supply chain management and digital certificates. These ready-to-use templates help users build and test applications quickly and efficiently.
Pramanik – An Innovative Blockchain Solution for App Verification
In today’s fast-changing digital world, protecting mobile devices from harmful apps and fake customer support is very important, as these can steal personal data and cause financial loss.
Pramanik is an innovative solution that uses blockchain technology to verify the authenticity and source of mobile applications. When a user scans or checks an app, Pramanik matches its details with blockchain records to confirm if it’s genuine. This helps build trust and transparency in the mobile ecosystem.
National Blockchain Portal
The National Blockchain Portal highlights India’s strategic vision for using blockchain technology in governance and industry. This platform supports cross-sector adoption of blockchain for innovation, standardization, and real-world applications. It helps build trust and strengthens India’s leadership in emerging technologies.
India’s NBF is one of the few government-led initiatives in the world that actively promotes the use of blockchain technology across different industries.
Blockchain-powered systems are transforming governance, supply chains, and the justice system
India’s journey toward a trusted digital economy is being driven by strong coordination between regulators and technology providers. The National Blockchain Framework (NBF) provides the base for using blockchain in governance, supply chains, and enterprises.
Certificate and Document Chain
The current process of issuing and using certificates often faces problems like fake documents and service delays. To solve this, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has created a Certificate Chain using blockchain for secure storage and easy access to records.
One example is the storage of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) academic certificates on blockchain.
Similarly, Document Chain is a single platform that allows government departments and users to store and access official documents like caste, income, ration cards, driving licenses, and birth or death certificates.
Over 340 million documents have been safely verified through India’s blockchain platforms, including 48,000+ documents under Document Chain as of October 21, 2025.
Logistics Chain
The Logistics Chain offers a transparent way to track goods and resources across different stakeholders. All transactions are recorded on a tamper-proof blockchain ledger, ensuring traceability and accountability at every step.
A practical use case is Aushadha, Karnataka’s online medicine supply chain management system.
Aushadha integrates blockchain to record every step—from the manufacturer to hospitals—covering quality checks too. Patients can verify the drug’s source, expiry date, and quality before use. This improves accuracy, prevents fake medicines, and increases transparency.
Judiciary Chain
The Judiciary Chain improves transparency, efficiency, and trust in the legal system by providing a secure, time-stamped record of judicial data and documents. It also helps in the electronic delivery of notices, summons, and bail orders, reducing manual work and delays.
As of October 21, 2025, over 665 judicial documents have been verified on the blockchain platform.
Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS)
Based on the Judiciary Chain, the ICJS connects the entire criminal justice ecosystem. It provides a unified digital platform for managing case records, evidence, and legal documents.
By October 21, 2025, over 39,000 ICJS documents had been verified through blockchain.
Property Chain
The Property Chain ensures that all property-related transactions are securely recorded on blockchain. Every update or transfer in land records is stored transparently, allowing stakeholders to verify ownership and rights. This helps reduce disputes and speeds up property transfers.
Over 340 million property documents have been verified on India’s blockchain platform as of October 21, 2025.
India’s Strategic Roadmap for Blockchain Adoption
The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has developed a National Strategy on Blockchain that outlines goals, challenges, and timelines for integrating blockchain in various sectors.
Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Blockchain Technology
NIC has set up a CoE for Blockchain Technology (BCT) to guide government departments in building pilot projects before full implementation. It offers consultation, training, and ICT infrastructure.
The CoE works with popular blockchain systems like Hyperledger Sawtooth, Hyperledger Fabric, and Ethereum, which are used for building secure and transparent digital networks.
TRAI’s Role in Blockchain Implementation
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has implemented a blockchain-based Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to track SMS messages from source to delivery. This ensures better consumer protection, reduces spam, and strengthens digital trust.
The system covers over 1.13 lakh entities and was developed in collaboration with the RBI, SEBI, NIC, and C-DAC.
RBI’s Role in Blockchain
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is using blockchain to modernize the financial system. Through the Digital Rupee (e₹) pilot launched in December 2022, RBI demonstrated how blockchain can enable fast, traceable, and transparent payments, supporting innovation and financial inclusion.
NSDL’s Blockchain Use for Debenture Contracts
The National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) has introduced a DLT-based blockchain platform for monitoring debenture contracts. This allows issuers and trustees to record and track transactions securely, ensuring transparency and boosting investor confidence.
Capacity Building for Blockchain Skills
To build skilled talent in emerging technologies, MeitY has launched several blockchain training programs aimed at creating a future-ready workforce.
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Skill Development Programs: Over 21,000 officers have been trained in blockchain and other technologies through 214+ programs run by the Digital India Corporation.
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Post Graduate Diploma in FinTech and Blockchain (PG-DFBD): A 900-hour program covering blockchain, FinTech, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and programming.
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BLEND by C-DAC: An online course designed for students and early professionals to gain practical knowledge of blockchain applications.
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FutureSkills Prime: A government-backed program that helps Indian professionals learn new-age digital skills like blockchain to improve employability.
The Road Ahead: Future Blockchain Use Cases
New blockchain use cases are being tested in several areas to improve trust and efficiency in public services. Examples include:
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Land record management for ownership verification
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Blood bank tracking for transparent donations
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GST chain for real-time tax monitoring
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Public distribution system (PDS) for secure supply chains
Aligned with the vision of Digital India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, blockchain is transforming how governance and trust work in the digital world.
Through the National Blockchain Framework, India is building a unified, interoperable blockchain ecosystem that supports both Government-to-Citizen (G2C) and Government-to-Business (G2B) services.
With continuous efforts in innovation, training, and indigenous blockchain solutions, India is on track to become a global leader in using blockchain for inclusive growth.
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