India's Answer To WhatsApp 'Sandes' and 'Samwad' App is Ready; Being Tested By Govt Officials

India's answer to messaging app WhatsApp has been developed. Called 'Sandes', the app is ready and is being tested by officials of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY). The use of Sandes app is currently restricted to government officials only.

Besides Sandes, there is another messaging app called 'Samvad', which is also in beta stage. These two apps are being developed completely by the government of India and they are going to be an instant messaging app like WhatsApp.

 

'Sandes' is available for both iOS and Android platforms. Talking about the features that this app can support, users can use features like voice and data. Its back-end is handled by the NIC, the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. While Samwad is developed by C-DOT (Centre for Development of Informatics).

 

Samwad App | C-DOT

In addition to these two apps, an NDTV report said that the government also has plans for an app called GIMS - Government Instant Messaging Service - meant only for government of India employees to communicate.

Developed by by National Informatics Centre (NIC), GIMS App is available on both Android and IOS. 

It may entirely be possible that one of these apps shall remain for the internal consumption of government employees and not be rolled out for the public," said the NDTV report citing it sources. 

The biggest advantage of this app will be that "we will never have to worry about data being stolen and used for commercial gains by big tech".