DIGISEWA: A Blockchain Based Digital License and Registration System

Abstract

Traditional licensing systems involve multiple departments and rely on manual paperwork, leading to delays, lackoftransparency[1],[7],andrisksoffraud.This project proposes a Blockchain-Based Digital License and Registration System using Ethereum smart contracts and Inter Planetary File System (IPFS) [4], [5], [14] to provide a secure, decentralized, and tamper-proof solution. The system ensures authenticity through blockchain-verified documents, role-based access for departments, and immutable audittrails[6],[7]forallactions. Key components include a user portal for applications, departmentaldashboardsforapprovals,andanadmindashboard for oversight. Smart contracts automate workflows, while encrypted document storageonIPFSguaranteesdataintegrityandavailability. The project enhances efficiency by reducing paperwork, improving inter-department coordination, and enabling instant verification of licenses. By integrating decentralization, transparency, and security, this system aims to modernize e-governance and strengthen public trust in digital licensing processes [1], [6].

Introduction

1. Definition & Importance

A Blockchain-Based Digital License and Registration System is a decentralized, secure, and tamper-proof platform for issuing, managing, verifying, and storing licenses and registrations.
Key features include:

• Decentralization: Data stored across multiple nodes, eliminating single points of failure.

• High Security: Cryptographic hashing and digital signatures prevent unauthorized changes.

• Immutability: Every update is permanently recorded, ensuring a complete audit trail.

• Smart Contracts: Automate workflows such as license issuance, approval, and renewal.

• Decentralized Storage (IPFS): Ensures secure, tamper-resistant document storage.

• Role-Based Access: Different access for citizens, officials, and admins.

• Transparency: Trust is built into the blockchain itself, improving accountability.

2. Overview

• Problems in Traditional Systems: Manual paperwork, delays, poor coordination, and vulnerability to forgery/corruption.

• Need for Security & Transparency: Existing records can be tampered with, reducing citizen trust.

• Blockchain Solution: Provides a secure, permanent, and transparent ledger.

• Smart Contracts: Reduce delays and human errors through automated workflows.

• IPFS Storage: Ensures encrypted, distributed, and reliable document management.

• Role-Based Collaboration: Allows various government departments to operate more efficiently.

• Digital Governance: Enhances trust and modernizes public service delivery.

3. Purpose of the Study

The system aims to:

• Improve security and prevent forgery of licenses.

• Provide audit trails for more transparency and accountability.

• Reduce delays using automation.

• Boost inter-departmental coordination via a shared ledger.

• Ensure secure storage of documents through decentralized platforms.

• Offer a user-friendly, citizen-focused system.

4. Literature Review Summary

Recent research shows growing global interest in blockchain for e-governance. Key findings include:

• Modern digital government architectures face integration challenges.

• Smart contracts can automate government processes efficiently.

• Consortium blockchains support secure data sharing among departments.

• Decentralized systems improve authentication and fraud resistance.

• Real-world pilot projects (e.g., WEF procurement) prove blockchain’s potential.

• Studies identify gaps in existing systems that DIGISEWA aims to solve.

A comparative table highlights how different research works support transparency, automation, and secure document handling—core elements of DIGISEWA.

5. Research Methodology

DIGISEWA follows a structured research and development lifecycle:

• Design Science Research for system design.

• Experimental testing for performance.

• Case studies for validation.

• Comparative analysis with existing systems.

Development Phases:

1. Requirements and literature review

2. System architecture design

3. Frontend development

4. Backend and database implementation

5. Blockchain & IPFS integration

6. Testing (unit, integration, security, performance)

7. Pilot deployment and feedback

8. Final evaluation and analysis

Comparison shows DIGISEWA is more secure, faster, and more transparent than traditional systems.

6. System Architecture

DIGISEWA uses a multi-layered architecture:

• Frontend: React, TypeScript, Tailwind, Shadcn UI, React Router, React Query.

• Backend: Node.js, Express.js, PostgreSQL, JWT authentication, BCrypt encryption.

• Blockchain Layer: Ethereum smart contracts, Solidity, Ethers.js, MetaMask.

• Decentralized Storage: IPFS with AES encryption and hash-based document verification.

• Database Design: Relational schema managing users, applications, logs, and metadata.

Conclusion

DIGISEWArepresentsaparadigmshiftingovernmentservice delivery through comprehensive blockchain implementation, addressing fundamental challenges in traditional licensing systems while establishing new standards for transparency, security, and efficiency in e-governance [1], [5]. The project successfully demonstrates the practical viability of decentralized government systems through innovative integration of blockchain technology, IPFS storage, smart contracts, and modern web development frameworks. [4], [5], [17], [18]

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Ashish Trivedi, Sejal Bhagat, Sejal Wagdre, Shruti Chedge, Sumit Chaple, Tejas Harne. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.