Correct Option
The correct option is C. To break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks.
[as per provisional answerkey]Explanation
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is designed to shift the e-commerce landscape from a platform-centric model to an open-network model.
- Option A is Incorrect: ONDC is not a government-owned or controlled platform for transactions; it is a set of specifications designed to foster an open, competitive market. It does not aim for state control over individual commercial transactions.
- Option B is Incorrect: The objective is not to replace private players but to provide a level playing field where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and local retailers can compete with large, established e-commerce entities.
- Option C is Correct: ONDC aims to democratize digital commerce by enabling interoperability. In the current platform-centric model, buyers and sellers must be on the same platform to transact. ONDC allows a buyer on one participating application to purchase products from a seller on another participating application, thereby breaking the "walled gardens" or monopolies of large platforms.
- Option D is Incorrect: While ONDC supports digital payments, it does not mandate UPI as the exclusive payment method for all online transactions. It focuses on the discovery, cataloging, and fulfillment aspects of commerce across various apps.
Key Takeaway: ONDC is an open-source network aimed at democratizing e-commerce through interoperability, allowing small merchants to be discovered and transact across multiple platforms without being tied to a single proprietary marketplace.