CSC and ONDC Collaborate to Expand E-commerce Reach to Rural India

A pioneering collaboration between Common Services Centers (CSCs) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is set to revolutionize e-commerce accessibility in rural India. This joint initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and empower millions of citizens residing in remote areas with access to essential goods and services through e-commerce platforms.

Expanding E-commerce Access in Rural India:

The partnership between CSCs, operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and ONDC is poised to extend the reach of e-commerce to rural citizens across the nation. By integrating CSC's e-Grameen app into the ONDC Network as a buyer application, individuals in rural India will gain access to a vast array of products and services offered through e-commerce platforms.

The integration of CSC services into the ONDC Network will occur in two phases to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Initially, CSCs will be onboarded as buyer-side platforms, enabling citizens to place orders for essentials through the Grameen app. With over 4 lakh CSC points spread across India, this initiative will introduce millions of new users to the realm of e-commerce, leveraging their trusted local CSC.

In the subsequent phase, CSC sellers registered on the Grameen e-Store will be able to seamlessly receive orders through ONDC. This move is anticipated to foster entrepreneurship opportunities and augment incomes for village-level entrepreneurs, aligning with the vision of Gram Swaraj.

Good Responses from Officials

Key officials, including S. Krishnan, Secretary-Ministry of Electronics and IT, and  Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary-Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, have expressed optimism regarding the transformative potential of this collaboration. They emphasized the significance of leveraging technology to empower rural economies and mitigate challenges faced by producers due to intermediaries.

Empowering Local Entrepreneurship:

T. Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, hailed the inclusion of CSCs in the ONDC Network as a significant milestone that empowers local entrepreneurship. Leveraging the extensive CSC network, millions of citizens will gain access to essential e-commerce services, fostering economic growth at the grassroots level.

Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, MD & CEO of CSC SPV, highlighted the transformative impact of digital empowerment in rural India. He underscored the significance of this partnership in extending e-commerce services to isolated rural areas, thereby catalyzing inclusive development across the country.

The live-streamed event, accessible to all Common Service Centers via Facebook, signifies a collective commitment to ensuring widespread accessibility and participation in this groundbreaking initiative.