Open Network for Digital Commerce

ONDC is not an app / website like Govt of India’s GeM portal, or an intermediary / marketplace like Amazon.

Rather, ONDC is a set of specifications designed by Govt of India backed think-tank to connect and openly exchange information between –
1) Customers (using any Ecommerce or payments app),
2) Technologies platforms / marketplaces (Like Paytm/Amazon/Flipkart)
3) Online retailers / sellers (Vendors/ Businesses selling online)

Govt of India’s ONDC protocol aims to democratize digital commerce, replacing a platform-centric model (where the buyer and seller must use the same platform or app in order to transact) with an open network that allows cross-platform (for Sellers) and cross-application (for Buyers) transaction.

Because ONDC functions as a set of standards, it will allow consumers to pick one of many platforms for shopping. Each platform will receive the same product, pricing, and availability information, based on the same set of standards. Online retailers will need to manage only one seller platform like ‘WVS eComXP’ in order to provide information to many platforms.

In simpler terms, you can compare prices and buy products listed on any Ecommerce platform connected to ONDC on any of the Buyer app.