Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently met with officials from ONDC and Nirmit Bharat to discuss utilizing open digital networks for enhancing retail and distribution systems. The focus was on integrating small producers and artisans into digital platforms, as well as improving logistics and mobility services through innovative digital solutions. Goyal highlighted the potential of these initiatives to expand market access, enhance service delivery, and promote broader economic participation.
Nirmit Bharat, a non-profit subsidiary of the government-supported Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), was a key topic of discussion during the meeting. Uber, the ride-hailing platform, recently made a strategic investment in ONDC, marking a significant move by a global technology company to support India’s open digital commerce network. This investment underscores Uber’s commitment to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem and its strategy to develop mobility and logistics services through open and interoperable networks.
Adil Zainulbhai, an Independent Director at ONDC, expressed confidence in India’s digital commerce infrastructure following Uber’s investment. Zoho Corporation also announced a substantial investment in ONDC to bolster sovereign technology and enhance India’s digital public infrastructure. The aim of this investment is to make technology more accessible and inclusive for businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
ONDC facilitated 218 million transactions in the fiscal year 2025-26, expanding its network across various sectors such as retail, logistics, mobility, and financial services. The organization is actively constructing open digital commerce rails to promote interoperability, inclusivity, and efficiency across sectors while addressing challenges like fragmented systems, high entry barriers, and trust deficits in digital commerce.
