Open Network Digital Commerce

What Open Network Digital Commerce does

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a government-backed non-profit Section 8 company incorporated in December 2021 and promoted by India's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It operates an open, interoperable digital public infrastructure protocol that enables buyers and sellers to transact regardless of the underlying applications, with sellers listing once and becoming visible across all compatible buyer apps on the network. The company is headquartered in New Delhi and was founded to dismantle the platform silos created by large e-commerce aggregators and to democratize digital commerce access for MSMEs, kirana stores, farmers, and artisans.

The core technology is an open-sourced protocol layer that digital commerce applications (buyer apps, seller apps, logistics apps) connect to. The product portfolio spans multiple verticals: ONDC Network (core retail), DigiDukaan (B2B procurement digitization for kirana stores), DigiHaat Swadeshi Marketplace (wholly-owned subsidiary for Made-in-Bharat products), Metro and Bus Ticketing (live across ~80% of India's metro inventory and 21 cities), Uber Direct B2B Logistics, gCommerce in-game monetization with Nazara Technologies, Tourism Experiences (170+ ASI monuments, 850+ offerings), and Financial Services (including the Zeny daily SIP app). Notable integrations span DMRC, DTC, BEST, Uber, Zoho's financial suite, Aditya Birla Sun Life, and WhatsApp-based ticketing via Pelocal.

The business model combines transaction/network take rates, subscription fees from network apps, affiliate revenue sharing (gCommerce), and platform ecosystem revenue across retail, mobility, logistics, tourism, and financial services. FY25 revenue reached Rs 334.1 million (127% YoY growth) against a Rs 147.13 crore net loss, reflecting the buildout phase. The network has facilitated over 450 million cumulative transactions with 218 million in FY26 alone. Customer segments include 1.4 crore+ kirana stores (75-80% of Indian FMCG sales), rural artisans, restaurants (via NRAI partnership delivering 15-20% lower consumer pricing), transport operators (via commission-free Namma Yatri model), public transit users, and the informal workforce via sachet-sized financial products.

Name

Open Network Digital Commerce

Legal name

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

Website

https://ondc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ONDC is a government-backed, non-profit digital public infrastructure protocol that enables interoperable digital commerce across retail, mobility, logistics, tourism, and financial services, serving MSMEs, kirana stores, farmers, artisans, and consumers across India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Transaction/Network Take Rate: ONDC charges transaction fees or take rates on transactions conducted through its interoperable network, spanning retail, logistics, mobility, and financial services. Revenue grew 127% to Rs 33.41 crore (approximately Rs 334.1 million) in FY25.
2. Subscription Fees from Network Apps: Apps built on ONDC (e.g., Namma Yatri) operate on a subscription fee model for drivers, eliminating commissions and resulting in increased driver earnings. ONDC as the protocol enables these subscription-based app models on the network.
3. Affiliate Revenue Sharing (gCommerce): In-game e-commerce platform gCommerce uses an affiliate revenue-sharing model, allowing game developers to earn commissions on player transactions across multiple product categories. Revenue flows to both ONDC and partner game developers.
4. Platform Ecosystem Revenue: ONDC is a non-profit Section 8 company backed by over 20 institutions including major banks. While it posts net losses (Rs 147.13 crore in FY25), it generates revenue from network transactions across retail, mobility, logistics, tourism, and financial services. The network has facilitated over 450 million cumulative transactions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) operates an open, interoperable digital commerce protocol that enables buyers and sellers to transact across applications in retail, mobility, logistics, tourism, financial services, and agri-commerce. Sellers list products once and become visible across all compatible buyer applications on the network, eliminating dependence on any single platform aggregator. The company monetizes primarily through transaction take rates, subscription fees on network apps, and affiliate revenue sharing.

Product overview

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a government-backed open, interoperable digital commerce platform structured as a non-profit Section 8 company. The core ONDC Network connects sellers and buyers across multiple sectors including retail, mobility (metro ticketing, bus services, taxi), logistics (Uber Direct), financial services (mutual funds), tourism (ASI monuments, experiences), and agri-commerce. Key products and initiatives include the DigiDukaan B2B procurement platform for kirana stores, the DigiHaat Swadeshi marketplace for artisan and farmer products, gCommerce in-game monetization with Nazara, and Bharat Taxi mobility services. The network enables over 218 million transactions in FY 2025-26 with cumulative transactions exceeding 350 million, providing digital tools for MSMEs, farmers, and artisans to access markets without dependence on conventional platform-controlled marketplaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ONDC Network Open, interoperable digital commerce platform connecting sellers and buyers across retail, mobility, logistics, financial services, and agri-commerce, enabling transactions regardless of the applications used. Targeted at MSMEs, kirana stores, farmers, artisans, transport operators, financial service providers, and consumers across India.
• DigiDukaan B2B procurement digitization platform providing digital tools for ordering, inventory visibility, promotional scheme tracking, and working-capital optimization for kirana stores and FMCG brands in India's general trade sector.
• DigiHaat Swadeshi Marketplace Wholly-owned subsidiary marketplace within ONDC dedicated to promoting Made-in-Bharat products, connecting artisans, farmer groups, self-help groups, NGOs, and Indian brands across food grains, handicrafts, apparel, and home décor categories.
• Metro Ticketing Service Public transport ticketing service enabling metro ticket bookings across Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Pune, Nagpur, and all three Mumbai Metro lines, with over 300,000 daily bookings and coverage of approximately 80% of India's metro ticketing inventory.
• Bus Ticketing Service Intra-city bus ticketing integrated across multiple booking apps covering DTC (Delhi), BEST (Mumbai), CRUT, and Katch Mobility across 21 cities in India.
• ASI Monuments and Museums Ticket Booking Online ticket booking service for 170+ Archaeological Survey of India protected monuments and museums, available through multiple applications including Highway Delite, Pelocal's WhatsApp-based service, and Abhee by Mondee.
• ONDC Financial Services Financial services including mutual fund distribution through ONDC Network, onboarding first-time mutual fund distributors with sachet-sized investments and digital inclusion for informal workforce segments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450 million+ cumulative transactions across retail, transport, tourism, and logistics
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration24 records

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Salescode (DigiDukaan Jaipur)coreTechnology or Integration · 19 June 2026Salescode is the technology partner for DigiDukaan's expansion to Jaipur (planned for June 19, 2026), with further expansion planned for Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR, enabling B2B procurement digitization for kirana stores across multiple cities.
• Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 June 2026JKTPO organized an Export Awareness Workshop, E-Commerce Onboarding Drive, and India-EU FTA Awareness Session in Kishtwar district in collaboration with ONDC representatives. Approximately 50 entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, MSMEs, and self-help groups participated, with three entrepreneurs submitting on-the-spot applications for ONDC onboarding.
• Qwipo (DigiDukaan tech partner)coreTechnology or Integration · 13 June 2026Qwipo is the technology partner powering DigiDukaan's B2B procurement digitization for kirana stores in Hyderabad, onboarding 10,000+ retailers and 35 brands on the ONDC network as part of the initiative's early pilot.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2026DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, is the promoter of ONDC. DPIIT and ONDC jointly convened the CPG Roundtable – Bharat Commerce Chintan Shivir to drive the DigiDukaan initiative, bringing together consumer goods companies, distributors, technology firms, and logistics providers to address challenges in India's General Trade sector.
• HUL (Hindustan Unilever)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026HUL participated in DPIIT-ONDC's CPG Roundtable on June 12, 2026, expressing interest in supporting the DigiDukaan initiative as traditional brands face growing competition from digital-first retail platforms. HUL engagement aims to digitize general trade distribution through ONDC.
• ITCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026ITC participated in DPIIT-ONDC's CPG Roundtable on June 12, 2026, engaging with the DigiDukaan initiative for digitizing India's general trade ecosystem and B2B procurement for kirana stores.
• Coca-Cola IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Coca-Cola India participated in DPIIT-ONDC's CPG Roundtable on June 12, 2026, exploring support for the DigiDukaan B2B procurement digitization initiative targeting kirana stores across India.
• UbercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Uber made a strategic investment in ONDC, marking one of the earliest strategic investments by a global technology company in India's digital commerce infrastructure. Uber has already integrated metro ticketing on its app via ONDC across 5+ cities with 10+ million metro rides booked, and separately launched Uber Direct B2B logistics on ONDC for grocery and restaurant deliveries. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi demonstrated Delhi Metro ticketing via Uber-ONDC during his India visit in May 2026, and Uber aims to replicate India's public-private transit partnership model globally.
• DigiHaat (Wholly-Owned Subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026DigiHaat is ONDC's wholly-owned subsidiary operating the 'Swadeshi' marketplace for Made-in-Bharat products, connecting 2,000+ artisans and 1,100+ farmer groups across India for direct purchases across food grains, handicrafts, apparel, and home décor.
• National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 December 2025ONDC and NRAI collaboration through ONDC's Food Council to build a viable framework enabling restaurants and food brands to participate in digital commerce on equitable and transparent terms. The partnership has delivered 15-20% lower consumer pricing in food delivery.
• India Post (Logistics for FPOs)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 December 2025India Post-backed logistics services for Farmer Producer Organisations on the ONDC network, supporting agri-commerce and rural logistics on the platform.
• NASSCOM FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 December 2025NASSCOM Foundation program helped 200 women-led small businesses in Karnataka begin selling online through ONDC, building digital adoption among underserved MSME segments.
• Uber Direct (B2B Logistics)coreTechnology or Integration · 10 December 2025Uber launched Uber Direct B2B logistics service in partnership with ONDC, enabling merchants on the ONDC network to access Uber's delivery infrastructure for grocery deliveries (Zepto, KPN Farm Fresh at launch), with plans to expand into restaurant and e-commerce logistics across multiple cities.
• DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation)coreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2025DMRC partnered with Uber and ONDC for metro ticketing integration on the Delhi Metro, enabling QR-based ticket booking through the Uber app with UPI payments. This was Uber's first integration with India's digital public infrastructure.
• Nazara TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2024Nazara Technologies partnered with ONDC to launch gCommerce, an in-game monetization platform embedding e-commerce within games using an affiliate revenue-sharing model across 10+ product categories. Platform is in soft launch with full rollout to game developers planned for Q1 FY26.
• Namma Yatri (Bengaluru)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2023Namma Yatri, a Bengaluru-based auto rickshaw app developed in partnership with the Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union, operates on a commission-free subscription model on ONDC. Highlighted as a success story in India's Economic Survey 2023-24, demonstrating increased driver earnings and reduced cancellation rates.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Beckn Protocol / Open Networks Foundation: Open-source protocol foundation on which ONDC's network architecture is built. Most direct technical and conceptual peer, as both pursue open, interoperable digital commerce infrastructure through decentralized protocols rather than centralized platforms.
• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI): India's non-profit umbrella organization for retail payments and settlement, operator of UPI, RuPay, and other payment rails. Closest Indian analog as government-promoted digital public infrastructure, with similarly massive transaction volumes and institutional bank ownership. Demonstrates the non-profit DPI model ONDC emulates.
• Namma Yatri: Bengaluru-based auto rickshaw app built on ONDC by Auto Rickshaw Drivers' Union, operating on a commission-free subscription model. Highlighted as a success story in India's Economic Survey 2023-24. Direct peer as an application-layer product of ONDC's mobility network.

Broad incumbents

• Amazon India: Largest e-commerce platform in India with deep capital base and established network effects. Direct competitor for merchant relationships and consumer mindshare; Amazon's Amazon Easy and Kirana programs target the same general trade segment ONDC's DigiDukaan addresses.
• Flipkart: Walmart-owned leading Indian e-commerce platform with strong presence in Tier-2/3 cities and Shopsy social commerce arm. Competes for merchant and consumer relationships ONDC targets, particularly through its kirana partner program and direct sourcing initiatives.
• Reliance Retail / JioMart: India's largest organized retailer and integrated commerce platform with omnichannel capabilities, deep kirana partnerships, and capital backing from Jio. Competes across grocery, fashion, electronics, and B2B procurement—the same verticals ONDC targets with DigiDukaan.

Emerging players

• Meesho: India-focused social commerce platform serving Tier-2/3 cities with a reseller and SMB merchant model. Most comparable emerging player given overlapping target segments (small merchants, value-conscious consumers in smaller cities) and parallel focus on reducing platform commissions.

Regional players

• Open Government Products (Singapore): Singapore government tech team building digital public goods including MyInfo, ParkingSG, and FormSG. Closest international analog as government-promoted digital public infrastructure for citizen and commerce services, though focused on Singapore-specific use cases.
• Estonia e-Estonia / e-Residency: Estonian government-backed digital public infrastructure including digital identity, e-Residency, and interoperable public services. Global benchmark for nation-state digital infrastructure that ONDC emulates in the commerce domain. Comparable as DPI export narrative.

Others

• National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL): India's largest depository and infrastructure provider for securities, holding a 5.6% stake in ONDC. Comparable as a non-profit Indian financial market infrastructure entity with similar institutional ownership structure and ecosystem positioning. Relevant as both investor and adjacent infrastructure peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ondc_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors12 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Open Network Digital Commerce