Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) pilot
More than two weeks since the launch of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) pilot, as many as two dozen companies, such as Flipkart -backed logistics provider eKart Logistics, hyperlocal quick commerce company Dunzo, and digital payments company PhonePe were in the process of integrating with the network.
Paytm , a major Indian fintech player, has already joined the network.
The way upi is to the digital payment domain, ONDC is to e-commerce in India
What is Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)?
ONDC spearheaded by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India is an initiative aimed to promote open networks for all aspects of the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks.
The government of India India has an ambitious target for ONDC; it aims to bring onboard 30 million sellers and 10 million merchants online, covering both goods and services.
This will help bring small and medium business across the board, small merchants, rural consumers, and multiple other cohorts of buyers and sellers onto one transparent digital platform.
The ONDC has been initially launched in five cities - Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Shillong and Coimbatore - on a pilot basis to on-board Kirana stores and SMB.
Further, the aim is to cover at least 100 cities and towns and focus on apps in local languages for buyers and sellers.
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