ONDC to launch own buyer app ‘DigiHaat’ to stimulate wider adoption of the network

ONDC has decided to launch its own buyer app ‘DigiHaat’ through a new 100% subsidiary ‘Nirmit Bharat’.

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has decided to launch its own buyer app ‘DigiHaat’ through a new 100 percent subsidiary ‘Nirmit Bharat’.

The introduction of Nirmit Bharat’s DigiHaat represents a strategic step towards demonstrating the wide potential of the network, the company said in a press release.

“The app will demonstrate a real-world example of unique features, functionalities and seamless consumer experience possible in an unbundled open network that other participants can replicate, encouraging businesses to develop their diverse buyer-side solutions,” the release stated.

ONDC will continue to catalyse the e-commerce ecosystem with DigiHaat being a tool for enabling wider adoption and innovation, it added.

DigiHaat will give special attention to the products from small businesses, FPOs, artisans, Viswakarmas, state emporiums, SHGs, etc.

The buyer app is currently in limited alpha testing with a small set of consumers and will be launched to the wider public in the coming weeks.

The move is being hailed by the current ONDC participants, which, following the BHIM model adopted during the early days of UPI, will enable broader adoption of the ONDC ecosystem.

Dr RS Sharma, Chairperson, ONDC, said, “ONDC’s role is to be the catalyst for the entire ecosystem for Digital India. The possibilities and opportunities with ONDC are far beyond what we have seen anywhere, and Nirmit Bharat will be a laboratory that will help catalyze the entire ecosystem. With DigiHaat, we’re showcasing what is possible on the ONDC framework, accelerating participation by helping businesses and users see the possibilities more clearly. The goal is to empower the ecosystem to innovate independently and build inclusive solutions that reflect the needs of their markets.”

T Koshy, Managing Director and CEO at ONDC said, “DigitHaat will be a crucial step in showcasing the unlimited potential of ONDC Network. This app will help in broadening participation on the Network to not only build a more diverse and resilient ecosystem but also help unlock new opportunities and business models. It will also drive the discovery of newer use cases as we keep on building the Network. I am looking forward to the immense innovation this app will help unlock for the Network thereby significantly contributing to the vision of Digital India.”

ONDC was beta launched in October 2022, and in about two years, by September 2024, it saw 1.28 crore transactions enabled by 7 lakh merchants and service providers, spread across 400 towns with transactions from 650 locations across India.

There are about 26 buyer applications in the Network today, coming from diverse domains like fintech, ride-hailing, startups, media, etc., and exposing their consumer base to merchants and service providers.