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

India’s apparel supply chain is highly fragmented and decentralized, relying heavily on MSMEs and informal production clusters, which creates persistent challenges in traceability, transparency, and ethical sourcing. Counterfeit risks, limited digital readiness, and sustainability compliance gaps further constrain operational efficiency and supply chain visibility. This study proposes a blockchain-enabled framework to enhance transparency, traceability, and ethical sourcing within the Indian apparel supply chain through the integration of IoT-enabled tagging, QR-based verification, smart contracts, and layered data management. The study adopts a design science research-oriented exploratory approach involving conceptual framework design, pilot implementation across ONDC-linked apparel clusters, and qualitative stakeholder evaluation through interview-based thematic analysis. The exploratory findings pilot suggests improvements in inventory visibility, documentation visibility, certification transparency, and stakeholder trust. Participants reported fewer documentation inconsistencies, more efficient verification processes, and improved coordination through blockchain-enabled QR authentication and smart contract-supported workflows. The findings additionally highlight key adoption barriers, digital literacy limitations, infrastructural constraints, and stakeholder resistance within informal supply chain environments. The study contributes an India-specific blockchain traceability framework tailored to MSME-driven apparel ecosystems and proposes mobile-first, vernacular-enabled, and policy-aligned digital solutions to support ethical sourcing and sustainability-oriented supply chain coordination in emerging economies.