The Indian government has directed leading e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart to incorporate Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) storefronts on their main pages. This initiative is designed to accelerate the network’s expansion, streamline deliveries, and tackle any operational challenges.
According to a report by ET, which quotes ONDC’s managing director T Koshy, there are ongoing discussions with Amazon and Flipkart regarding their gradual integration into the network, with positive outcomes expected shortly.
ONDC is also engaging with the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), which represents over 500,000 restaurants, to enhance the food delivery process. The talks focus on improving last-mile delivery, order tracking, discoverability, and overall operations within the food service industry.
In a collaborative effort with NRAI, ONDC has formed a Champion Council consisting of eminent figures from various sectors of the food industry, including casual and fine dining, quick-service restaurants, cloud kitchens, cafes, and regional establishments. This council aims to drive growth and facilitate wider participation in the network.
Introduced in 2021 by the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), ONDC is an open-source platform created to make e-commerce more inclusive and accessible in India, especially for small businesses.
This non-profit initiative, supported by DPIIT, is part of a broader effort to level the playing field in e-commerce. It has already attracted participation from significant entities such as Delhivery, Paytm, Phonepe, Uber, IDFC Bank, Kotak, Shiprocket, Dunzo, and Tata Neu, integrating some of their services with ONDC.
ONDC continues to broaden its scope by adding new categories and extending its reach throughout the country. The platform is also set to include news media outlets, with Dainik Jagran’s digital arm nearing completion of its integration process with ONDC.
