The Department of Commerce and Industry has opened its network to consumers in 16 locations in the city of Bengaluru, a significant milestone, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Through buyers apps that have joined the ONDC network, consumers may place their orders in two domains: groceries and restaurants.
The ONDC beta test in Bengaluru is a major first step in transforming a network approach to e-commerce as an alternative to a platform-centric model. This will make the e-commerce landscape more inclusive, accessible, and experience-driven, according to the ministry.
Consumers may now purchase from a variety of products and services from a single-buyer application of their choice. They may also purchase grocery goods or order items from stores and restaurants. In the coming weeks, many additional applications will join the network, allowing both buyers and sellers to participate in this transaction.
The Alpha test phase for ONDC has been phased with a closed user group of buyers first in Bengaluru in April 2022, increasing to more than 80 cities by September 2022. This enabled the app and confirmed business and operational flows. Currently in the beta testing phase, the general public may experience shopping via ONDC, and provide early feedback for any necessary actions before expanding further.
In a consultation paper that is being made available for public consultation on DPIIT, ONDC, and the website, on how to build trust among consumers, sellers, and network participants.
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a Section 8 corporation, was established on December 31, 2021 by the Department of Transportation and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and the Government of India, as a way to revolutionize digital commerce. ONDC is not an application, platform, intermediary, or software, but a set of specifications designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable open networks, thus eliminating the dependency on a single platform.