India Set to Launch Indigenous Web Browser: Zoho Wins Development Challenge

New Delhi: India is poised to unveil its own secure web browser, marking a major stride towards digital self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced Zoho Corporation as the winner of the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC), with Team PING and Team Ajna securing the first and second runner-up spots, respectively. Jio Vishwakarma received a special mention for its multi-platform design.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the winners during an event in New Delhi, underscoring India’s ambition to transition from a “service nation” to a “product nation.” He highlighted that the indigenous browser will ensure data security, compliance with India’s Data Protection Act, and compatibility across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.

Zoho received ₹1 crore, Team PING ₹75 lakh, and Team Ajna ₹50 lakh for their innovations. The competition attracted 434 teams, reflecting India’s growing tech prowess. The new browser aims to offer enhanced security features, digital signing, child-friendly browsing, Web3 support, and access in all official Indian languages.

The government sees this development as the first step towards creating a comprehensive Indian digital ecosystem, promoting local talent and securing digital sovereignty.