India’s Browser Project Takes Off with Zoho at the Helm

PHOTO BY RDNE STOCK PROJECT ON PEXELS

India is building its own homegrown web browser—and software giant Zoho is leading the charge. The ambitious project has a name: Ulaa, a privacy-first browser designed to align with the country’s push for digital independence.

Backed by the Indian government, this initiative supports digital sovereignty. With Zoho’s deep enterprise roots, Ulaa is already gaining traction among developers, privacy advocates, and policymakers alike.

A National Push for Digital Independence

The Ulaa browser reflects India’s growing desire for tech self-reliance. By developing a locally made browser, India hopes to secure its digital infrastructure and reduce dependence on platforms like Chrome or Safari.

The government’s Digital India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives are fueling this momentum. As noted in a tweet, India’s indigenous browser will support data security and promote software product development:

This isn’t just symbolic. With privacy concerns and global tech tensions rising, Ulaa plays a central role in India’s digital sovereignty strategy.

Zoho Leads with Privacy and Performance

Developed by Zoho, Ulaa stands out with its privacy-first approach. It blocks trackers by default, avoids user profiling, and stores data locally.

The browser is cross-platform, fast, and designed to support Indian digital ecosystems. It integrates smoothly with services like Aadhaar and UPI, while maintaining low system demands and local data handling.

Ulaa’s development philosophy reflects Zoho’s long-term, patient approach to building sustainable tech. According to a tweet from Zoho’s team, the browser’s victory in the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge by MeitY is a major morale boost, and a proud moment supported personally by IT Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw:

What Users Can Expect

Ulaa is tailored for Indian users, offering native language support, offline access, and plug-ins for government services like UPI and Aadhaar. Its adaptable design supports both urban and rural users with data-conscious features.

The following video showcases its unique browsing modes—Work, Personal, Kids, and Open Season—each designed to enhance productivity or privacy depending on the user’s context:

Public beta versions are already available, with regular updates planned. As usage grows, Ulaa could set the standard for indigenous, privacy-centric browsing worldwide.