Context: Recently, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) announced the launch of the DigiReady Certification (DRC) portal.

About DigiReady Certification 

• In this initiative, QCI, in conjunction with ONDC, aims to assess and certify digital readiness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) entities.

• By leveraging this online self-assessment tool, MSMEs can evaluate their preparedness to seamlessly onboard as sellers on the ONDC platform, thereby expanding their digital capabilities and business potential.

• The portal is meticulously designed to facilitate a streamlined seller journey, ensuring that MSMEs and small retailers can integrate seamlessly into existing digitized workflows.

• The certification process evaluates various aspects of digital readiness, including the presence of necessary documentation for online operations, proficiency in using software and technology, integration with existing digitized workflows, and efficient management of orders and catalogue offerings.

Significance

• This initiative presents additional business prospects for sellers, allowing them to become integral to the digital ecosystem.

• It will empower MSMEs and make e-commerce more inclusive and accessible.

• It will amplify MSMEs potential to thrive in the digital economy.

• It will expand their digital capabilities and business potential.

Features of portal

• MSMEs can evaluate their preparedness to seamlessly onboard as sellers on the ONDC platform.

• This portal will ensure that MSMEs and small retailers can integrate seamlessly into existing digitized workflows.

• The certification process evaluates various aspects of digital readiness. This includes the presence of necessary documentation for online operations, proficiency in using software and technology etc.

Key points about Quality Council of India

• It was established in 1997 jointly by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and the Indian industry.

• It is registered as a non-profit organizationunder the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.

• It is operated through the constituent Boards of QCI, primarily the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), and the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL),

Composition

• It is governed by a Council of 38 members with equal representations of government, industry and consumers.

• The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the industry to the government.

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

• It is an open-source network set up to enable buyers and sellers to transact with each other irrespective of the e-commerce platform on which either of them are registered.