As a recent announcement from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has drawn attention, it’s abundantly clear that the government is progressively leaning towards Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in its operations. The #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge signifies this refreshing step towards technology enhancement across government services.
Understanding Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
Contrary to popular belief, FOSS does not indicate cost-free software. The term “free” signifies freedom from copyright constraints, implying anyone can access, study, modify and use the source code. It fosters a collaborative community where people can contribute towards software development and improvement. Well-known examples of FOSS are MySQL, Firefox, and Linux.
FOSS stands in contrast to ‘Closed Source Software’, where the proprietary code is closely guarded with strict accessibility only for the original authors. Here, rather than owning the software, users pay for usage rights.
About the #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge
The challenge aims to tap into the innovation potential of the FOSS community and start-ups to address critical issues in Government Technologies (GovTech). It invites FOSS innovators to submit open source product innovations in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) with potential applications for Govtech in sectors like Health, Education, and Agriculture.
CRM and ERP are critical tools used to manage an organisation’s core supply chain, manufacturing, financial processes and customer relationships. This initiative aligns with the GovTech 3.0 strategy, which advocates for secure and inclusive Open Digital Ecosystems (ODEs).
Notably, participants stand a chance to receive incubation support, prize money, expert mentorship, and institutional backing from prestigious organisations. Also, their solutions may be listed on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
India’s Potential as a FOSS Innovation Hub
With an overwhelming percentage (96%) of India’s vast number of 4G data subscribers accessing the digital world via open-source based mobile operating systems, like Android, India shows great potential as a vibrant hub for FOSS innovations. Moreover, some of the nation’s largest government projects, including Aadhaar, and numerous technology start-ups have been built using FOSS.
Further Initiatives Promoting Open Source Software
In the past decade, the Government of India has undertaken several initiatives promoting the adoption of open source software. A pivotal one was the issuance of a Policy on Adoption of Open Source Software in 2015.
Among other endeavours, the Free and Open Source Software for Education (FOSSEE) Project stands out. It promotes the use of open source software in educational institutions through instructional material, awareness programmes, documentation and internships. Moreover, the android version of the Aarogya Setu app is also made open source.
Understanding GovTech 3.0
GovTech has traversed from basic computerisation of manual processes (GovTech 1.0) to digitising end-to-end processes (GovTech 2.0). Now, GovTech 3.0 shifts focus towards Open Digital Ecosystems (ODEs), essentially creating the “digital commons”.
ODEs are open, secure digital platforms facilitating a community of actors to unlock transformative solutions based on a comprehensive governance framework. The National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers called DIKSHA and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in financial services are examples of successful ODEs operational in India.
