What Is ONDC and How Can Small Sellers Join It?

October 30, 2026 Swarojgar

What is ONDC?

ONDC is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), set up as a not-for-profit company. Its aim is to make online commerce open and fair, so that small businesses aren’t dependent on one large marketplace.

Think of it like UPI for shopping. With UPI, you can pay from any app to any app. With ONDC, a seller on one app can sell to a buyer on a different app.

How ONDC works

Participant	Role	Example
Buyer app	Where customers search and order	Consumer apps connected to ONDC
Seller app	Where sellers list products and manage orders	Seller platforms and software providers connected to ONDC
Logistics provider	Delivers the order	Delivery partners connected to the network
ONDC network	Common rules and protocols that let these apps talk to each other	—

When a customer searches for “organic ghee” on a buyer app, the network shows matching products from sellers on many different seller apps.

Benefits for small sellers

Wider reach: your products can appear on several buyer apps through one listing
Less dependence on one platform: you’re not locked into a single marketplace’s rules
Potentially lower costs: ONDC is designed to lower discovery costs, though actual fees depend on your seller app
Local discovery: good for neighbourhood shops, restaurants and local brands
Many categories: grocery, food, fashion, home and kitchen, electronics, beauty and more

How to join ONDC: step by step

Step 1: Choose a seller app

ONDC itself doesn’t run a single seller dashboard. Pick a seller-side network participant. You can see the list of live network participants on the official ONDC website (ondc.org).

Compare seller apps on:

Fees and commission
Categories they support
Ease of catalogue upload
Payment settlement time
Logistics support
Customer support and language options

Step 2: Register with the seller app

Typical details asked:

Business name and address
GSTIN (often required for most categories; some apps allow certain non-GST sellers, so check)
PAN
Bank account and IFSC
FSSAI licence number (for food items)
Udyam registration (helpful, sometimes requested)

Step 3: Upload your catalogue

Add product names, clear photos, prices, stock levels, descriptions, weight and size, and return policy. Good product information matters a lot on an open network, because buyer apps rely on it to show your products.

Step 4: Set delivery and service area

Choose whether you’ll deliver yourself or use the seller app’s logistics partners. Set your serviceable pin codes or radius.

Step 5: Go live and manage orders

Accept orders on time, pack carefully, update order status, and handle returns and complaints quickly. Ratings affect how often your products are shown.

Tips to succeed on ONDC

Start with your best-selling products rather than uploading everything.
Use clear photos on a plain background.
Write detailed descriptions with size, weight, material, ingredients and usage.
Price competitively, including delivery costs.
Fulfil orders reliably. Cancellations hurt your visibility.
Promote your store on WhatsApp and social media.
Track settlements and reconcile payments weekly.

ONDC vs marketplaces: quick comparison

Point	ONDC (via seller app)	Single large marketplace
Reach	Many buyer apps on the network	One platform’s customers
Control	More control over listing and pricing	Platform rules decide
Fees	Depends on the seller app; designed to be lower	Commission plus fees set by the platform
Customer base	Growing; strongest in some categories and cities	Very large and established
Best for	Local sellers, grocers, restaurants, D2C brands	Sellers wanting maximum immediate demand

Many sellers use both: ONDC for wider reach, plus marketplaces where demand is highest.

Frequently asked questions

Is ONDC registration free?

ONDC doesn’t charge sellers directly. Your seller app may charge subscription fees or a commission, so check before you sign up.

Can I sell on ONDC without GST?

Most seller apps ask for GST. Some may allow certain categories without it. Check with the seller app.

Can restaurants and cloud kitchens join ONDC?

Yes. Food and beverages is one of the main categories on ONDC. You’ll need an FSSAI licence or registration.

Who runs ONDC?

ONDC is an initiative of DPIIT, Government of India, run as a not-for-profit company.

How do I get paid on ONDC?

Payments are settled through the network’s settlement process to your bank account. Timelines depend on your seller app, so confirm the settlement cycle.