Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) initiative

Context

A review meeting of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) initiative of DPIIT took place.

About ONDC

• Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is globally first-of-its-kind initiative that aims to democratise Digital Commerce, moving it from a platform-centric model to an open-network.
• As UPI is to the digital payment domain, ONDC is to  e-commerce in India. 

Conduct of ONDC

• ONDC shall not mandate sharing of any transaction-level data by participants with ONDC.
• ONDC will work with its participants to publish aggregate metrics on network performance without compromising on confidentiality and privacy
• ONDC will be compliant with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and designed for compliance with the emerging Personal Data Protection Bill.

Significance

• ONDC will enable, buyers and sellers to be digitally visible and transact through an open network.
• It will empower merchants and consumers by breaking silos to form a single network to drive innovation and scale, transforming all businesses from retail goods, food to mobility.