ONDC appoints Vibhor Jain as acting CEO, winds down executive committee

ONDC appoints Vibhor Jain as Acting CEO, winds down executive committee

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on May 13 appointed its Chief Operating Officer Vibhor Jain as Acting CEO with immediate effect, as the organisation moves to a unified leadership structure following a series of top-level exits.

Jain, who was part of the eight-member interim Executive Committee, will now take over full executive powers. The committee, formed last month to ensure business continuity after the exit of MD and CEO T Koshy, has now been dissolved.

“The Executive Committee has done a commendable job of guiding ONDC during a critical phase. However, with several key strategic decisions underway, it is imperative to have a single point of leadership to drive cohesive execution,” said board member Suresh Sethi.

“Vibhor has played a pivotal role in shaping ONDC’s operational framework, and the Board has full confidence in his ability to lead the organisation during this important transition,” Sethi added.

Jain, who has played a central role in shaping ONDC’s operations since its early stages, said he was committed to maintaining momentum as the network continues to expand. “It is an honour to take on this responsibility at a time when ONDC is expanding its footprint and impact across the country,” he said.

The leadership transition comes amid growing scrutiny of the government-backed network’s trajectory. Koshy’s resignation last month, citing personal reasons, marked the third senior-level departure in six months, following exits by Chief Business Officer Shireesh Joshi and non-executive chairperson R S Sharma, Moneycontrol reported earlier.

ONDC was set up to create an open, interoperable digital commerce infrastructure to democratise e-commerce and reduce platform monopolies. Since its launch, the network has facilitated over 200 million transactions across categories like food delivery, grocery, and mobility.

However, ONDC’s growth trajectory has been uneven in recent months. While the platform has made inroads in logistics and urban mobility—especially with players like Namma Yatri—its core retail segment has seen stagnating order volumes. The recalibration of its growth engines has prompted a shift in strategy as the organisation looks to stabilise operations under new leadership.

The ONDC board is currently in the process of identifying a new full-time Managing Director and CEO. Until then, Jain will lead the organisation and oversee all operational and strategic functions.