Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an open, interoperable digital commerce network initiated by the Government of India to make digital commerce more inclusive and competitive. Instead of requiring buyers and sellers to use the same platform, ONDC enables different applications and service providers to interact through common network protocols, with the goal of reducing platform dependence and expanding access to digital commerce for small businesses and consumers.
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People involved
Timeline
31 December 2021
ONDC incorporated
The Open Network for Digital Commerce was incorporated as a Section 8 company with the objective of developing an open network approach to digital commerce.
1 January 2022
ONDC development begins
The initiative began developing an interoperable network protocol intended to allow buyers, sellers and logistics providers to interact across different applications.
29 April 2022
ONDC launched
The government launched ONDC as an open network intended to democratise and decentralise digital commerce in India.
1 September 2022
ONDC pilot expands
The ONDC network expanded beyond its initial pilot locations and began onboarding additional participants across buyer, seller and logistics applications.
1 December 2022
ONDC expands across multiple cities
The network expanded its geographic footprint and continued onboarding merchants and technology participants as the ecosystem developed.
1 May 2023
ONDC records rapid growth in transactions
ONDC recorded rapid growth in retail orders as more sellers, buyer applications and logistics providers joined the network.
1 July 2023
ONDC expands beyond food delivery
The network expanded across categories including groceries, fashion, electronics, mobility and other forms of commerce.
1 December 2023
ONDC network crosses major transaction milestone
ONDC continued increasing daily retail transactions and merchant participation, demonstrating the potential of an interoperable commerce network.
1 January 2024
ONDC expands into financial services
The network began exploring and expanding into additional services, including credit and financial products, beyond traditional retail commerce.
1 April 2024
ONDC reaches millions of monthly transactions
The network continued scaling transaction volumes and expanding its merchant and application ecosystem across India.
1 January 2025
ONDC ecosystem continues expanding
ONDC continued onboarding network participants and expanding the range of commerce and mobility services available through interoperable applications.
1 January 2026
ONDC evolves into broader digital commerce infrastructure
ONDC continued developing as an open digital commerce infrastructure layer connecting buyers, sellers, logistics providers and service applications.