India to Get Its Own Web Browser: Zoho to Develop Indigenous Browser

India is set to have its own web browser, with the responsibility of its development given to the Indian software company Zoho Corporation. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced this initiative on Thursday, March 20.

As part of its mission to develop an indigenous web browser, the ministry had launched the “Indian Web Browser Development Challenge,” in which Zoho Corporation secured the first prize. The company was awarded a cash prize of ₹1 crore for its winning entry.

In the competition, Team ‘Ping’ secured second place and was awarded ₹75 lakh, while Team ‘Ajna’ took third place, receiving ₹50 lakh. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the prize money to the winners and expressed his delight that the challenge saw participation from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Key Features of the Browser

• Data Security: The browser will be monitored by the Indian government, ensuring that user data remains within the country.
• Privacy Protection: The Made-in-India browser will comply with data privacy laws, ensuring user information remains secure.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: It will be available for multiple operating systems, including iOS, Windows, and Android.

Dominance of American Companies in Internet Browsing

Currently, the global web browser market is dominated by American tech giants, with Google Chrome leading the way. In India alone, Google Chrome has approximately 850 million users, accounting for nearly 89% of total internet users.

Government Allocates ₹3 Crore for Web Browser Development

The Indian government has allocated ₹3 crore for the development of this indigenous web browser. Once completed, the browser will undergo security certification before being made available to users.

Why India Needs Its Own Web Browser

Popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and others do not include Indian certification agencies in their root stores. These root stores, also known as trust stores, verify the security of operating systems and applications. Currently, no Indian certification authority is included in this process.

Furthermore, existing browsers do not operate in coordination with the Indian government regarding security and privacy measures. With India’s rapid digital transformation, online safety and privacy have become critical concerns, prompting the need for a homegrown web browser.

About Zoho Corporation

Zoho Corporation is an Indian technology company specializing in internet-based software and tools. Headquartered in Chennai, it provides affordable and user-friendly software solutions for businesses. Its product range includes email services, office tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. The company was founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas.

With this initiative, India aims to strengthen its digital sovereignty and provide a secure browsing experience for its citizens.