#FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge

In News: To promote the adoption of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in government,Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge.

Background information

• Due to the large number of 4G data subscribers in India, 96 percent of whom access the digital world through open-source based mobile operating systems, India is well placed to become a vibrant hub for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) innovations (primarily Android).
• FOSS has also been used to build some of India’s largest government projects (including Aadhaar) and several technology start-ups.
• In 2015, the Indian government released a Policy on Adoption of Open Source Software, recognising the enormous potential of FOSS.

About #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge

• Accelerating the adoption of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in government is a difficult task.
• It’s an important part of GovTech 3.0, which focuses on creating safe and inclusive Open Digital Ecosystems (ODEs).
• Participants will be eligible for incubation funding, prize money, domain expert mentorship, and institutional support from eminent organisations for concept incubation and solution listing on GeM.
• The #FOSS4GOVInnovation Challenge calls upon FOSS innovators, technology entrepreneurs and Indian Startups to submit implementable open source product innovations in CRM and ERP with possible applications for Govtech in Health, Education, Agriculture, Urban Governance, etc.

The #FOSS4GOV Innovation Challenge’s Importance

• It will use the FOSS community and start-ups’ innovation capacity to address crucial issues in government technology.
• It encourages FOSS innovators, technology entrepreneurs, and Indian startups to apply open source product inventions that could be used by the government in areas such as health, education, and agriculture.