ONDC enables sellers to access multiple buyer apps, reducing entry barriers, boosting competition, and enhancing price transparency for consumers
New Delhi
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has reshaped India’s e-commerce sector over the past four years by making it more open, inclusive, and accessible, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday.
Speaking on the fourth anniversary of ONDC, Goyal highlighted how the initiative has democratized digital trade, enabling small shopkeepers and micro businesses to participate in online commerce. According to the minister, ONDC fosters innovation, encourages collaboration, and expands opportunities for both consumers and sellers.
“By bringing small shopkeepers into the digital marketplace and widening access for all, it has strengthened trust, benefiting both consumers and sellers,” Goyal said in a post on social media platform X.
Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms that operate in silos, ONDC allows sellers to reach customers through multiple buyer apps without being restricted to a single platform. This interoperability reduces entry barriers for small businesses, increases competition, and improves price transparency for consumers.
Government data shows that over 1.16 lakh retail sellers from more than 630 cities and towns are now active on ONDC. The presence of multiple sellers offering similar products on the network allows buyers to access a wider range of goods and services, benefiting from competitive pricing and regional diversity.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada told the Lok Sabha that ONDC’s open model strengthens the overall e-commerce ecosystem by promoting fairness, expanding access, and creating opportunities for smaller sellers who previously struggled to compete with large, closed marketplaces.
Goyal’s remarks underline the government’s push to position ONDC as a viable alternative to conventional e-commerce platforms, supporting India’s vision of an inclusive and democratized digital economy.
