Lok Sabha Question No. 1408 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: National Blockchain Framework
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1408

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## NATIONAL BLOCKCHAIN FRAMEWORK

## 1408.   SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) and the time by which it is expected to be fully operational;
- (b) the key sectors and Government services that the NBF is specifically designed to target?;
- (c) the  measures  being  taken  to  ensure  the  security,  privacy  and  confidentiality  of  data  stored  on  the NBF; and
- (d) whether  the Government  plans  to  collaborate with private sector entities to accelerate the development and adoption of blockchain solutions and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

## (a): National Blockchain Framework

Blockchain  is  a  technology  suitable  for  developing  applications  with  transactional  data  stored  in distributed ledger across network of nodes. It provides time sequenced & tamper resistant storage with audit trail for future verification. Hence this technology has the potential to provide better accountability in any digital system involving public transactions.

National Blockchain Framework (NBF) has been launched on 4th Sep, 2024 to offer Blockchain-as-aService (BaaS). The NBF is fully operational with  geographically distributed infrastructure.  The NBF supports distributed infrastructure, smart contracts, security, privacy, interoperability and development & deployment of permissioned blockchain based applications. The NBF was initiated in the year March, 2021 with a total budget outlay of Rs. 64.76 crore. The NBF is for a duration of 4 years.

## (b): Key sector for National Blockchain Framework usage

NBF is  a  permissioned  Blockchain  platform  which  may  be  used  for  development  and  deployment  of Government Services which need secured and verifiable records of transactions. It is more suitable for permissioned Blockchain applications where only selected or authorized users can access the Blockchain network. NBF may be used in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, administration, etc.  The  pilot  implementation  of  the  few  applications  have  already  been  completed  which  includes Praamaanik-  Solution  to  verify  mobile  app  origin,  Property  Chain-  Solution  for  recording  property transactions and its verification for the State of Karnataka and Jharkhand, Certificate Chain- Blockchain based solution for education certificates for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for the State of Karnataka, eStamps- Solution to provide a tamper-proof & secure record of eStamp transactions, etc. with the Government financial agencies.

## (c): NBF security, privacy and confidentiality of data

The transactions are recorded in Blockchain network using cryptographic techniques. The NBF has been designed  as  a  permissioned  Blockchain  with  controlled  access  to  ensure  the  security,  privacy  and confidentiality of data. The best practices such as use of data encryption, proving the existence of data without revealing the data, and indigenous certifying authority, etc. have been implemented in the design.

## (d): Startup/ industry collaboration

The Government is promoting the NBF for use by startup/ industry to collaborate with the Central/ State ministries and department to develop suitable models for Blockchain-based applications using NBF.

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