Ulaa, a web browser by Zoho- the premier company offering web-based business tools- wins the Indigenous Browser Development Challenge (IBDC) organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India (GoI). The challenge falls under GoI’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to encourage and recognize indigenous browser development. 

According to Zoho, Ulaa distinguishes itself with robust security features such as CCA Root integration, digital signing, and machine learning-based phishing detection. “It also includes a powerful ad-blocking system and customizable protection settings for an enhanced online experience,” the company noted. Additionally, Ulaa offers a 24-hour security patch policy and multilingual support.

Aspiring for Next-Level Indigenous Tech 

“All talented people—industry, academia, start-ups and researchers—must come together to build new solutions and make India a product nation. Step by step we must build the tech stack to reach the next level,” Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, said at the IWBDC event. 

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Prioritizing Privacy over Monetization

“Ulaa redefines browsing by treating privacy as a fundamental right, not a business model—ensuring it remains free for all individuals while never monetizing user data. On the enterprise front, Ulaa Enterprise empowers businesses with advanced security, productivity, and visibility tools that protect sensitive information and minimize risks,” Mani Vembu, CEO of Zoho, said.

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Indian Web Browser Development Challenge

Launched in August 2023, the challenge featured a rigorous three-stage evaluation process: ideation, prototype, and productization. Participants were required to showcase the viability of their browser solutions in comparison to international standards. A total of 434 teams registered, with only eight advancing to the final stage.