Government's app challenge gets 7000 entries; screening process starts

The App Innovation Challenge launched by the Government has seen close to 7000 entrepreneurs and start-ups across the country apply for the contest which is aimed at promoting domestic applications over foreign ones.

The challenged was launched by Prime Minister on July 4 and the last day of sending entries was July 26.

According to the statement released by the authorities, “It has received a total of 6940 entries across the 8 categories under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge. These include 3939 from individuals and about 3001 from organizations and companies. Amongst those received from individuals, around 1757 applications are ready to use and the remaining 2182 are under development. Around 271 of the Apps have more than 100,000 downloads with 89 of the Apps having million plus downloads.”

It further added that, "The Aatma Nirbhar Bharat App ecosystem has the potential to unlock value for the Indian tech Start-ups and help them get a pie of the multi trillion-dollar App Economy".

For the Apps submitted by the organisations, around 1,742 Apps have been already deployed and rest are under development. The maximum apps are under the social networking category followed by business, health and wellness and e-learning.

"The applicants are from all over the country including remote and small towns. This shows the talent that exists in our country and this App Innovation Challenge is the right opportunity for Indian Tech Developers, Entrepreneurs and companies to build for India at a scale, that is unparalleled anywhere in the World."

The major challenge faced by the Screening Committees is to identify the Apps that are robust, scalable, secure with an easy to use interface and give users an experience that will make them come back to the App. "Screening Committees have already begun scrutinising the Apps on various parameters."