Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

Purpose:

ONDC is an open digital commerce network designed to enable buyers and sellers to transact through different interoperable applications. It allows MSMEs, retailers, manufacturers, artisans, farmers, FPOs, SHGs, restaurants, startups, D2C brands, traders and service providers to access customers without depending exclusively on a single e-commerce marketplace.

Important Conditions

• The applicant must possess the business credentials required by the selected Seller Application.
• PAN, bank account details and business information are generally required.
• GST registration is required wherever applicable under tax laws or platform rules.
• Products and services must comply with applicable legal, safety, quality, labelling and taxation requirements.
• Sector-specific licences, such as FSSAI registration for applicable food businesses, may also be required.
• The applicant is responsible for catalogue accuracy, pricing, inventory, order fulfilment and customer-service compliance.

Relevant Government Reference / Government Resolution / Orders / Circulars

ONDC is an initiative of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, established to promote open protocols and interoperability in digital commerce. ONDC was incorporated as a Section 8 not-for-profit company and commenced network operations in 2022. The applicable operational policies, network specifications and participant requirements are published by ONDC and DPIIT from time to time. Government information is available through the PIB release and the ONDC official website.

Online Facility Available

Yes. Seller registration, KYC, catalogue creation, order management and related services are provided online through ONDC-enabled Seller Applications and Network Participants. ONDC itself is a network and sellers generally join through a participating Seller Application.

Online Application Link

ONDC official website and ONDC Network Participants. The MSME must select an appropriate Seller Application from the available network participants and complete registration on that participant’s portal or application.

Applicable Fee

ONDC does not ordinarily prescribe a single direct registration fee for every seller. However, the selected Seller Application, logistics provider, payment service provider or other Network Participant may levy onboarding charges, subscription fees, transaction charges, commissions, catalogue charges, logistics charges or other service fees. The amount varies according to the provider, service package, product category and commercial agreement.

Mode of Fee Payment

Fees, where applicable, are paid through the payment method prescribed by the selected Seller Application or Network Participant. Payment may ordinarily be made online through UPI, debit or credit card, net banking, payment gateway or deductions from transaction settlements, depending on the provider’s policy.

Decision-Making Authority

The selected ONDC Seller Application or Network Participant is responsible for seller onboarding, KYC verification, business-profile approval and catalogue activation. ONDC prescribes network-level policies and technical standards but does not directly approve every individual seller registration.

Time Required for Decision

No uniform statutory processing period is specified for all Seller Applications. Registration and activation depend on document completeness, KYC verification, GST or PAN validation, catalogue compliance and the internal process of the selected Network Participant. The applicant should obtain the expected processing period directly from the chosen Seller Application.

Online Grievance Redressal Link

Complaints relating to onboarding, payments, orders or platform services should first be submitted through the grievance mechanism of the selected Seller Application. ONDC-related enquiries may also be submitted through the ONDC Contact Portal. Consumer complaints may be pursued through the appropriate consumer grievance mechanism, wherever applicable.

Office Address

Open Network for Digital Commerce, registered/corporate office details as published on the official ONDC website. Applicants should verify the current address through the ONDC Contact Portal before sending physical correspondence.

Contact Telephone Number

The current telephone or helpline details should be verified through the official ONDC Contact Portal or through the selected Seller Application.

Official Contact Email ID

The current official email address or online contact facility should be verified through the ONDC Contact Portal. Seller-specific issues should be sent to the grievance officer or support email of the selected Seller Application.

Beneficiary:

MSMEs, retailers, manufacturers, artisans, farmers, FPOs, SHGs, restaurants, startups, D2C brands, traders and service providers

Benefits:

ONDC is an open digital commerce network designed to enable buyers and sellers to transact through different interoperable applications. It allows MSMEs, retailers, manufacturers, artisans, farmers, FPOs, SHGs, restaurants, startups, D2C brands, traders and service providers to access customers without depending exclusively on a single e-commerce marketplace.