Using crypto tokens to sign documents digitally may soon be possible for Indian people.
This feature is part of the national web browser project that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is planning.
The Indian Web Browser Development Challenge was launched by MeitY on August 9. The aim of the challenge is to “inspire and empower” developers from across the country to create a native web browser with a CCA India root certificate integrated. The announcement states:
“The proposed browser would also prioritise accessibility and user friendliness, ensuring built-in support for people of varying abilities.”
The announcement also mentions the option to digitally sign documents using a crypto token embedded in the browser.
The challenge will have three rounds — the number of participants will be reduced to 18 after the first round, and to 8 after the second round. The winner will receive about 34 million Indian rupees ($411,000).
The Indian government has been active in regulating tech and crypto in recent months.
As the chair of the intergovernmental forum of 20 largest world economies (G-20), it has endorsed the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) recommendations for a global crypto framework and urged special attention to the needs of developing economies in its potential guidelines for crypto.
In August, The lower house of India’s parliament approved a bill that would ease data compliance rules for Big Tech companies.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 would simplify the standards for storing, processing and transferring data for global tech giants like Google, Meta and Microsoft, as well as for local firms.
