ONDC

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an initiative with the goal of advocating for open networks across all facets of digital or electronic exchanges of goods and services. ONDC is designed to operate on an open-sourced methodology, utilizing open specifications and open network protocols that are not tied to any particular platform.

At its core, ONDC is built upon open protocols that cover every stage of the process involved in the exchange of goods and services. These protocols function in a manner akin to established standards such as the hypertext transfer protocol for information exchange on the internet, the simple mail transfer protocol for email exchanges, and the unified payments interface for payment transactions. The emphasis on openness underscores ONDC's commitment to fostering an inclusive and interoperable digital commerce environment.

These open protocols are intended for creating a public digital infrastructure through open registries and open network gateways. This infrastructure facilitates the exchange of information between providers and consumers, allowing them to utilize compatible applications of their choice for information exchange and transactional activities on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

In essence, ONDC transcends the existing platform-centric digital commerce model, where both the buyer and seller are constrained to using the same platform or application for digital visibility and conducting business transactions.