ONDC Gains Momentum: PolicyBazaar, EaseMyTrip, and Over 120 Businesses Join the Open Network for Digital Commerce

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a government-backed initiative aimed at democratizing e-commerce in India, is witnessing significant growth. The platform recently onboarded a diverse range of businesses, including insurance giant PolicyBazaar, travel portal EaseMyTrip, and online gaming platform WinZO. This expansion strengthens ONDC's position as a one-stop shop for consumers, offering a wider selection of services without hidden costs.

What is ONDC?

As highlighted by R.K. Singh, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), ONDC is not a traditional e-commerce platform or app. It functions as a private, non-profit company established by the DPIIT. Unlike dominant e-commerce players, ONDC fosters a level playing field by creating a digital commerce network. This network connects various channel partners, including sellers and service providers, with consumers on a single platform.

ONDC's Growing Network and User Base

ONDC's commitment to open access is attracting a wider audience. The platform has already integrated with several food aggregators, with more expected to join soon, according to Singh. This growth is further reflected in user adoption. ONDC facilitated over 7.22 million transactions in April 2024, showcasing its potential to disrupt the e-commerce landscape.

Building Trust and Democratization

The increasing user base signifies growing trust in Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Notably, over 5 lakh sellers have joined the platform, with more than 70% categorized as small or medium-sized businesses. This focus on empowering smaller players aligns with ONDC's core objective of democratization.

At a recent event held in Delhi, over 125 stakeholders, including startups, unicorns, and established businesses like EaseMyTrip, OfBusiness, WinZO, Livspace, GlobalBees, Pristyn Care, Cars24, Physics Wallah, PolicyBazaar, and Zerodha, expressed their interest in joining ONDC. Signing Letters of Intent (LoI) signifies their intent to collaborate and contribute to building a more inclusive digital commerce ecosystem in India.

ONDC's Expanding Scope: From Food to Travel

Beyond traditional e-commerce offerings, ONDC is venturing into new territories. The platform recently integrated 11 fair price shops, enabling consumers to access government-subsidized food items. This pilot program is currently open to everyone except for beneficiaries of specific food security schemes.

Furthermore, ONDC is building a network of last-mile service providers to enhance the travel experience. Namma Yatri, a seller app developed by Juspay Technologies specifically for Bengaluru auto rickshaws, is already operational on the platform. This initiative holds promise for seamless intra-city and inter-city travel booking in the future.

Enhancing Travel and Last-Mile Services

In an effort to streamline travel, ONDC is working on creating a network of last-mile service providers to facilitate seamless commutes within and between cities. Namma Yatri, an app developed by payment tech firm Juspay Technologies for auto rickshaws in Bengaluru, is already part of the ONDC network.