What is the ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’?

The existing “platform-centric model to an open-network model” of the e-commerce business is what the government intends to change.
The administration is certain that the ONDC will end the dominance of a few major platforms in the e-commerce business.
The biggest hurdle for ONDC may be creating a successful marketplace for the exchange of goods and services.

Points to Ponder:

Introduction to ONDC

The Indian government has launched an initiative called the ONDC to shift the e-commerce business from a platform-centric approach to an open-network paradigm.
It is modelled after the well-known Unified Payments Interface (UPI) project, which enables smooth money transfers across various payment providers.

The objective of ONDC:

The government wants to democratise e-commerce and offer substitutes for exclusive e-commerce websites.
The objective is to dismantle the monopoly of a few big e-commerce platforms by enabling customers and sellers to trade regardless of the platforms they are registered on.

Government’s Motivation:

The government is motivated by its perception that the current state of the e-commerce business is split into silos ruled by private platforms.
Food delivery applications have come under fire for charging exorbitant commissions, and marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart have been accused of favouring specific suppliers in which they have indirect stakes.
By connecting buyers and sellers across platforms, the ONDC is viewed as a solution to level the playing field and eliminate the need for proprietary platforms.

ONDC criticisms:

Detractors claim that there is little certainty about the advantages of an open network for digital trade.
Buyers frequently browse across platforms, and sellers are already allowed to post their goods on different sites.
Private services that assist consumers make smarter selections already fill the information gap, such as price comparison websites.
Platforms like Amazon and Flipkart might not only be dominant because of captive grip, but also because of competition and limited monopolies.

Challenges for ONDC:

As ONDC is implemented, the government’s capacity to develop a productive substitute for e-commerce platforms will be put to the test.
A seamless marketplace and the capacity to list the products offered by different merchants will be essential.
E-commerce platforms spend on exclusive onboarding and listing procedures, and the quality of services may suffer if the open network’s restrictions prevent platforms from reaping the benefits of such investments.
A major difficulty for ONDC is creating a productive marketplace for the exchange of goods and services.

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