India launched the pilot phase of open network for digital commerce (ONDC), a UPI-type protocol, in five cities with an aim to democratize the fast-growing e-commerce sector to help small retailers and reduce the dominance of online retail giants. The goal of ONDC is to change the e-commerce market’s fundamental structure by moving from the current platform-centric model to an open-network model.

ONDC is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.