In an exclusive interview, Abhay Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Information Technology, Government of Bihar, sheds light on the groundbreaking Bihar Blockchain Service Infrastructure (BBSI) project. Designed as a transformative step toward digitised governance, BBSI promises to revolutionise service delivery, document verification, and data security for citizens and institutions alike. Singh discusses the project’s objectives, key features, and long-term vision for Bihar’s governance, emphasising transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric service.
What inspired the Department of IT to initiate the Bihar Blockchain Service Infrastructure (BBSI) project, and what are its long-term objectives for Bihar’s governance and citizens?
The Department of IT recognised blockchain’s potential to enhance trust, transparency, and efficiency in digital governance. Its ability to improve intra- and inter-organisational processes makes it ideal for next-generation citizen-centric services. With BBSI, we aim to deliver faster services, improve departmental collaboration, secure records, and gain better insights for governance.
Could you elaborate on the key features of BBSI and how it is designed to serve as the “blockchain backbone” of the state?
BBSI provides modular blockchain infrastructure, enabling on-demand network provisioning with advanced autoscaling and integration capabilities. Its identity management ensures privacy and transaction integrity, while rich reporting tools support network, service, and transaction monitoring. By anchoring trust and transparency in workflows, BBSI is poised to become the backbone of Bihar’s governance.
The blockchain-based mobile application is a significant aspect of BBSI. How will it transform document-sharing and verification processes for residents and businesses?
The BBSI mobile application will function as a common citizen wallet where every individual can securely hold their identity, information, credentials, and records. Through this app, citizens can fetch their documents and certificates from departmental data sources and upload them to the blockchain network with their consent. Users can set the consent validity period directly through the app.
Once the documents are added to the blockchain, a QR code containing the blockchain transaction details is attached to each document or certificate. Verifiers can access transaction details by scanning these QR codes. Additionally, users can share documents with verifiers via email, simplifying and expediting the verification process.
What specific types of documents, such as RTPS certificates and land transaction records, are targeted under BBSI? How will this benefit citizens and institutions?
BBSI focuses on integrating certificates issued under RTPS, including income certificates, residential certificates, caste certificates, and marriage certificates. It aims to streamline the issuance and verification process, allowing citizens to obtain certificates with minimal turnaround time. For institutions, BBSI simplifies internal workflows through automation, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
With rising concerns over cybersecurity, how does the BBSI ensure the security and integrity of sensitive records and protect against data breaches?
The BBSI network ensures the integrity of documents, certificates, and records through regular and on-demand integrity checks. Reports from these checks highlight any mismatches between departmental data sources and blockchain records. This system detects any unauthorised alterations in departmental data, safeguarding against data breaches and maintaining trust in the system.
Can BBSI’s framework be scaled to accommodate additional services in the future? Are there plans to integrate other government departments or private sector entities?
The BBSI framework is inherently scalable, using advanced virtualisation and containerisation techniques. The underlying blockchain protocols are optimised for accommodating multiple private ledgers within the same infrastructure.
In the future, we plan to onboard more government departments, such as the Agriculture Department, Department of Industries, Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Prohibition Excise and Registration Department, and the State Election Commission, in a phased manner. Private sector entities, including banks and educational institutions, could also play a significant role in document verification and other use cases, such as direct benefit transfer programs.
How do you foresee BBSI transforming governance, especially in terms of transparency, efficiency, and citizen satisfaction?
BBSI introduces a new level of transparency by creating unified service networks for the issuance and verification of documents, certificates, and records. Eliminating redundant steps in workflows enhances efficiency. Citizens become integral participants by securely holding their documents and certificates, which reduces turnaround times and significantly improves their experience with governance platforms.
What role do public and private stakeholders, including local businesses and educational institutions, play in implementing and utilising BBSI?
Public and private stakeholders are pivotal to BBSI’s success. Public institutions will issue citizen-centric identities, documents, certificates, and records. Private entities, such as local businesses, can foster citizen engagement around supply chains and marketplaces. Educational institutions can verify academic certificates, while banks and other private institutions will play a key role in use cases like direct benefit transfers.
What message would you like to convey to the people of Bihar regarding the adoption and benefits of the BBSI project?
The Bihar Blockchain Service Infrastructure (BBSI) marks a significant milestone in Bihar’s journey towards digital transformation and good governance. This initiative embodies principles of transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
For citizens, this means their essential documents—such as identity proofs, certificates, and land records—will be securely stored and protected from fraud or misuse. In an age where cyber threats like identity theft and data tampering are common, BBSI ensures safety and reliability.
Beyond security, BBSI empowers individuals to make informed decisions regarding products and services in the state. Whether accessing government benefits, applying for jobs, or interacting with financial institutions, the blockchain-backed system simplifies processes, saving time and effort.
In essence, BBSI is more than just a technological initiative—it’s a trusted companion that enhances convenience, protects interests, and fosters trust in governance for every citizen of Bihar.