India Shifts Focus from Service Economy to Product Innovation: Vaishnaw

India is taking a major step towards digital self-reliance with the development of an indigenous web browser that will provide enhanced security, data privacy, and seamless compatibility across platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows. As part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC) to encourage innovation and create a secure, homegrown alternative to foreign browsers.

On March 20, 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the winners of the competition, highlighting the shift from India being a “service nation” to a “product nation” in the technology sector. The challenge, conducted by C-DAC Bangalore, attracted participation from startups, students, and researchers eager to contribute to India’s digital independence.

Zoho Wins, Startups Shine in Web Browser Challenge

After an intense competition, Zoho Corporation emerged as the winner of the IWBDC, while Team PING secured the 1st Runner-Up position, followed by Team Ajna as the 2nd Runner-Up. The winners received cash prizes of ₹1 crore, ₹75 lakhs, and ₹50 lakhs, respectively. Additionally, Jio Vishwakarma received a special mention for its multi-platform browser design.

The Minister emphasized that the development of India’s own web browser marks an important milestone in building a comprehensive Indian digital ecosystem, ensuring greater control over user data, security, and compliance with national regulations. The competition saw 434 teams register, with eight outstanding finalists making it to the final round, where their solutions were evaluated by an expert panel.

Why India Needs Its Own Web Browser

A homegrown web browser will provide several benefits, including:

• Enhanced Data Security: All user data will be stored within India, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act.
• Digital Sovereignty: India will have greater control over internet access, security, and privacy policies.
• Platform Compatibility: The browser will work seamlessly on iOS, Android, and Windows.
• Support for Indian Languages: It will be optimized for browsing in all official Indian languages.
• Advanced Features: The browser will include Web3 support, child-friendly browsing, parental controls, and digital signing capabilities.

Building a Self-Reliant Digital Ecosystem

Vaishnaw urged Indian startups and the industry to accelerate innovation and large-scale productization, ensuring homegrown technologies compete on a global level. S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, along with senior officials from C-DAC, industry leaders, and academia, emphasized the browser’s role in securing India’s digital future.

With this initiative, India is setting a new benchmark in trusted digital interactions, paving the way for a secure, indigenous internet ecosystem.

Source: PIB