New Delhi – The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Blockchain India Challenge on Monday, February 23, 2026, seeking to spur the development of blockchain-based digital governance solutions by Indian startups. The initiative, spearheaded by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) with MeitY’s support, aims to create secure, transparent, and auditable systems for government employ.
The challenge focuses on permissioned blockchain technologies, prioritizing security and regulatory oversight, according to officials. Areas of initial focus include e-procurement, supply chain management, the public distribution system, education, healthcare, agriculture, power, the Internet of Things (IoT), land records, and environmental sustainability. However, the ministry has indicated that these are not exhaustive, and startups are encouraged to propose alternative use cases in collaboration with relevant government departments.
Speaking at the launch event, MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan emphasized the potential of blockchain technology to enhance verifiability and establish a single source of truth across government systems. “Blockchain technology plays a crucial role in enhancing verifiability and creating a single source of truth across multiple systems, thereby improving transparency and efficiency in government services,” Krishnan said. He further urged startups to explore innovative applications beyond the initially identified categories and requested that MeitY and C-DAC broaden outreach to the startup ecosystem.
The challenge is open to startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Selected startups will be offered stage-wise funding to develop ten impactful blockchain-based use cases across the ten initial categories. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to pilot their solutions in partnership with government departments, with the goal of developing field-ready solutions that can be scaled nationwide.
The launch event included senior officials from MeitY, including Additional Secretary Abhishek Singh, Joint Secretary Sudeep Srivastava, Group Coordinator Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator Manoj Kumar Jain, and Scientist G & Centre Head of C-DAC Hyderabad, P R Lakshmi Eswari. Representatives from various government departments and startups were also in attendance.
MeitY officials have not yet announced a timeline for the selection of pilot projects or the disbursement of funding. C-DAC and MeitY teams are currently tasked with expanding outreach to the startup community, according to statements made at the launch event.
