MeitY launches blockchain technology stack

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched a blockchain technology stack. Called Vishvasya, this stack will offer blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS) will support various blockchain applications through geographically distributed infrastructure at NIC Data centers in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad.

Notably, the National Blockchain Framework technology stack is built with Distributed Infrastructure, Core Framework functionality, Smart Contracts & API Gateway, Security, Privacy & Interoperability and Applications development offering BaaS. NBF currently supports two Blockchain platforms and is extensible, the press statement said.

Additionally, the ministry introduced NBFLite, a blockchain platform for startups and academia that allows faster prototyping of applications, capacity building, and research. The blockchain sandbox platform is developed jointly by  C-DAC, NIC, IDRBT Hyderabad, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad, and SETS Chennai.

Secure blockchain network was one of the important themes of the announcements made on Wednesday. In this context, MeitY secretary S Krishnan said that the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) will play an important role in enabling security, trust, and transparency for citizen-centric applications.

Further, NBF will be leveraged to develop an extensible framework with the blockchain technology stack, addressing the challenges of the talent gap, vendor lock-in, and research challenges related to security, interoperability, and performance.

Another major launch was blockchain-based solution Praamaanik, for verifying mobile app security. The platform is powered by the NBF to verify mobile app origins. The mobile apps can be uploaded by the company representative. The unique details of the apps are then recorded on the blockchain ledger. Citizens, in turn, can identify authentic mobile apps through M Kavach 2 mobile security app.