- Zoho Corporation wins ₹1 crore for creating India’s own web browser.
- Challenge aims for a secure, homegrown browser with Indian data protection.
- India moves toward building its own digital ecosystem.
On March 20, 2025, India took a big step toward digital independence as the government announced the winners of the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC). Organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the contest encouraged teams to build a safe, Indian-made web browser. Zoho Corporation won the top prize of ₹1 crore, while Team PING and Team Ajna took second and third places with ₹75 lakh and ₹50 lakh. Jio Vishwakarma also got a special mention for its work.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw praised the winners at the event, calling it a key moment for India’s tech future. The homegrown browser will keep Indian user data safe and follow the country’s privacy laws. It will work on Windows, iOS, and Android, and include features like parental controls, support for Indian languages, and Web3 for modern internet use. The goal is to make India less dependent on foreign tech and protect its digital space.
The challenge is part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” plan to turn India into a tech product leader, not just a service provider. With 434 teams joining, the contest had three stages: ideas, prototypes, and final products. Eight teams made it to the end, showing their work to a expert jury. The Minister was excited to see talent from smaller cities, proving India’s tech skills go beyond big urban areas.
