“Startup Challenge to Develop Citizen-Centric Innovative Solutions using Blockchain and Web3” provides opportunities to build innovative government use cases

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated a startup challenge to develop citizen-centric governance solutions using Blockchain and Web3 technologies. The program offers tiered financial incentives across four evaluation stages to support startups from ideation to pilot deployment. This information was formally submitted to the Rajya Sabha on March 27, 2026, detailing existing successful implementations in the judicial, healthcare, and digital security sectors. **Key Points / Main Content** **Startup Challenge Structure and Incentives** * **Stage 1 (Ideation to PoC):** Up to 40 selected teams receive ₹1.5 lakh each to develop a Proof of Concept. * **Stage 2 (PoC to MVP):** Up to 30 shortlisted teams receive ₹4 lakh each to advance to a Minimum Viable Product. * **Stage 3 (MVP to Deployment):** Up to 20 shortlisted teams receive ₹10 lakh each for deployment activities. * **Stage 4 (Pilot Deployment):** Up to 10 winning teams are awarded ₹50 lakh each to deploy pilot governance solutions. **Existing Blockchain Implementations** * **Judiciary Chain:** Utilizes blockchain to record judicial data; pilot implementations for bail and judgment orders are completed at the Supreme Court of India and High Court of Karnataka. * **Aushada System:** Integrated with the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) to track the medicine supply chain, movement, and quality checks in Karnataka. * **Praamaanik:** A blockchain-based system used to verify the authenticity of mobile app origins, currently featuring 14 applications from the M.P. State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. **Impact Analysis** **Blockchain & Web3 Startups** **Impact** Startups gain access to structured financial support and opportunities to build innovative, permissioned blockchain use cases for government infrastructure. **Action Required** Interested startups must participate in the multi-stage evaluation process, progressing through technical milestones to secure funding. **Judicial Bodies (Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court)** **Impact** The judicial system benefits from a secure, blockchain-based method for recording and managing critical documents like bail and judgment orders. **Action Required** Legal authorities must continue the implementation and maintenance of the Judiciary Chain platform for recording judicial data. **Citizens** **Impact** Citizens receive enhanced security and transparency, such as the ability to verify mobile app authenticity via the M-Kavach-2 app and track medicine quality. **Action Required** Users should utilize the M-Kavach-2 security app to verify the authenticity of onboarded mobile applications. **State Government Agencies (Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh)** **Impact** State entities benefit from improved supply chain tracking for medicines and secure onboarding of citizen-centric mobile applications. **Action Required** Relevant state departments must ensure continued integration with the National Blockchain Framework and onboard further applications to platforms like Praamaanik.

Key Entities Referenced