New Delhi – The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has reached a significant milestone, with more than 5.7 lakh sellers and service providers now active on its platform, according to a recent statement made in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State (MoS) for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada. This expansion highlights ONDC’s rapid growth and increasing influence in India’s digital commerce landscape.
In his written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Prasada outlined that the ONDC network currently includes 71 seller applications, 22 buyer applications, and 16 logistics service providers. He noted that while ONDC does not track the number of consumers or buyers on the platform, the network has experienced a remarkable surge in transactions. From just over 1,000 transactions in January 2023, ONDC has escalated to over 9.9 million transactions by June 2024.
The MoS also emphasized ONDC’s collaborative efforts with various state and union territory departments. Each state/UT has appointed a nodal officer to facilitate state-level engagement, furthering ONDC’s reach and impact. To bolster awareness and integration, 198 workshops have been conducted across different state departments. Consequently, ONDC has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 11 states, onboarded 11 State Emporiums, and integrated 31 state entities and public sector undertakings (PSUs) into the network.
Launched in 2021 by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, ONDC aims to democratize ecommerce in India. Unlike traditional ecommerce platforms, ONDC operates as a Digital Public Infrastructure based on a network model rather than a singular app or platform. This approach seeks to make ecommerce more accessible, particularly for small businesses across the country.
The platform has seen notable participation from major companies such as Delhivery, Paytm, PhonePe, Uber, IDFC Bank, Kotak, Shiprocket, Dunzo, and Tata Neu. These integrations underscore ONDC’s role in fostering a diverse and inclusive digital commerce ecosystem.
In a significant development, ONDC is now focusing on integrating banks and fintech platforms to enhance its services. Early pilots for credit disbursal through the ONDC network have been initiated, with partnerships including Tata Group’s superapp Tata Neu and Paisabazaar. Banks such as HDFC Bank, IDFC First Bank, and Karnataka Bank, along with fintech firms like Fibe, are participating in these integration efforts.
As ONDC continues to expand and diversify its offerings, it remains committed to promoting open networks for the exchange of goods and services, aiming to further democratize and enhance the digital commerce space in India.
