India has emerged as the leading country globally in mobile application usage, with the government actively supporting and promoting Indian innovators to develop apps, according to IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad’s statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Responding to questions during the Question Hour, Prasad highlighted the success of the Digital India program and the government’s encouragement of Indian innovators, turning it into a significant movement.

Prasad expressed satisfaction with India’s current status as the top country in mobile application usage but emphasized the need for further expansion. He stated his confidence that in the coming years, Indian mobile app platforms for hosting apps will pose strong competition to international platforms.

The minister informed that the government has permitted the Mobile Seva AppStore to host apps free of cost, and the government’s mobile government app has seen a total download of 8.65 crore. Prasad underscored the government’s focus on promoting “Make in India” apps for Indians and highlighted initiatives like the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mobile app innovation challenge, which attracted 6,940 app developers, with 25 winners in nine categories receiving rewards.

Regarding questions about the development of a government-owned app hosting platform, Prasad mentioned the existing Mobile Seva app store and state government messaging centers. He emphasized the government’s desire for innovation to come from outside its own sphere.

Prasad also highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, noting that some apps with cybersecurity vulnerabilities were stopped, and measures were taken during the grand challenge to address cybersecurity concerns. The minister referred to the India App Market Statistics report 2021, indicating that around 5 percent of Android apps are from Indian developers. The Mobile Seva AppStore, India’s first indigenous app store, currently hosts over 965 live apps across various domains and public service categories, with free and hassle-free uploading and downloading of apps. The government encourages private players to host apps but also expresses eagerness to develop and promote its mobile app store.