Blockchain enabled transparency and traceability for ethical sourcing and MSME integration in the Indian apparel supply chain

Blockchain enabled transparency and traceability for ethical sourcing and MSME integration in the Indian apparel supply chain | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Blockchain enabled transparency and traceability for ethical sourcing and MSME integration in the Indian apparel supply chain Dr. Tejinder Singh Lakhwani, Ettishri B Rajput This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8806968/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose India’s apparel supply chain is fragmented and decentralized, largely dependent on MSMEs and informal clusters, which creates persistent challenges in traceability, transparency, and ethical sourcing. Counterfeit risks, low digital readiness, and sustainability compliance gaps exacerbate inefficiencies. To address these issues, this study develops a blockchain-integrated framework tailored to India’s garment logistics ecosystem, leveraging IoT-enabled tagging, smart contracts, and layered data management. Methodology: A multi-method research design was adopted, combining conceptual modeling, system architecture benchmarking, pilot implementation across ONDC-linked clusters, and qualitative stakeholder analysis. Findings: Pilot findings demonstrate significant improvements, including a 70% reduction in audit errors, 22% faster order processing, and enhanced inventory tracking, certification reliability, and stakeholder trust. Blockchain’s decentralized ledger enabled tamper-proof provenance, QR-based authentication, and wage validation even in rural, low-bandwidth clusters. Key challenges remain, notably digital literacy, infrastructural deficits, and stakeholder resistance. Originality: The framework proposes mobile-first interfaces, vernacular tools, and policy alignment with ONDC, Digital India, and SDGs to build scalable, transparent apparel supply chains in emerging economies. Blockchain Apparel Supply Chain Traceability Ethical Sourcing IoT India MSMEs Smart Contracts ONDC ESG Compliance Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 13 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 07 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 03 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 24 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 24 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 20 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 04 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 26 Feb, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 25 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 25 Feb, 2026 First submitted to journal 25 Feb, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8806968","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":602290726,"identity":"11b2cefc-2844-407a-b67f-e6ee0d1092ef","order_by":0,"name":"Dr. Tejinder Singh Lakhwani","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Manipal Academy of Higher Education","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"Dr.","firstName":"Tejinder","middleName":"Singh","lastName":"Lakhwani","suffix":""},{"id":602290732,"identity":"adb1afec-1b8b-4c1c-9c47-08d96615595e","order_by":1,"name":"Ettishri B Rajput","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Institute of Fashion Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ettishri","middleName":"B","lastName":"Rajput","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-06 12:23:18","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8806968/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8806968/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":104406216,"identity":"a13e81cf-bfc6-4458-8489-1d89ff04e4b4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-11 12:25:04","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1468063,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"PaperBlockChainsWA4.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8806968/v1_covered_3236050b-3c58-4e82-8c7f-e6f06a73bf7a.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Blockchain enabled transparency and traceability for ethical sourcing and MSME integration in the Indian apparel supply chain","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-sustainability","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"disu","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Sustainability](https://www.springer.com/43621)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Sustainability","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Blockchain, Apparel Supply Chain, Traceability, Ethical Sourcing, IoT, India, MSMEs, Smart Contracts, ONDC, ESG Compliance","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8806968/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8806968/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003ePurpose\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndia\u0026rsquo;s apparel supply chain is fragmented and decentralized, largely dependent on MSMEs and informal clusters, which creates persistent challenges in traceability, transparency, and ethical sourcing. Counterfeit risks, low digital readiness, and sustainability compliance gaps exacerbate inefficiencies. To address these issues, this study develops a blockchain-integrated framework tailored to India\u0026rsquo;s garment logistics ecosystem, leveraging IoT-enabled tagging, smart contracts, and layered data management.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethodology:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA multi-method research design was adopted, combining conceptual modeling, system architecture benchmarking, pilot implementation across ONDC-linked clusters, and qualitative stakeholder analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFindings:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePilot findings demonstrate significant improvements, including a 70% reduction in audit errors, 22% faster order processing, and enhanced inventory tracking, certification reliability, and stakeholder trust. Blockchain\u0026rsquo;s decentralized ledger enabled tamper-proof provenance, QR-based authentication, and wage validation even in rural, low-bandwidth clusters. Key challenges remain, notably digital literacy, infrastructural deficits, and stakeholder resistance.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOriginality:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe framework proposes mobile-first interfaces, vernacular tools, and policy alignment with ONDC, Digital India, and SDGs to build scalable, transparent apparel supply chains in emerging economies.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Blockchain enabled transparency and traceability for ethical sourcing and MSME integration in the Indian apparel supply chain","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-10 19:03:21","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8806968/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-13T18:35:58+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-07T18:39:29+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-03T06:15:31+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"190226321311261776348848342939543891414","date":"2026-03-25T21:59:17+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"19692248721732415664863008737798082968","date":"2026-03-25T03:02:50+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"245372208910335981956011633946296828459","date":"2026-03-24T13:54:44+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"88676397156778900136835199050007926996","date":"2026-03-20T21:27:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-05T03:50:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-02-26T22:20:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-02-25T10:36:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-02-25T05:15:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Sustainability","date":"2026-02-25T05:09:10+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-sustainability","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"disu","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Sustainability](https://www.springer.com/43621)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Sustainability","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"e588287a-32ee-4e78-967c-0a46399a293b","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 10th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-13T18:35:58+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-13T18:38:51+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-10 19:03:21","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8806968","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8806968","identity":"rs-8806968","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}