How to Sell on ONDC: A Practical Guide for Indian Sellers
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is a government-backed open network where buyers on many apps can find sellers listed through any connected seller app. You join through a seller app, complete KYC with GST, PAN and bank details, and list your catalogue. Kode Studio in Hyderabad helps sellers combine ONDC with their own website.
| What it is | An open network connecting buyer apps and seller apps, not a single marketplace |
|---|---|
| How to join | Through a seller network participant (seller app), not directly |
| Typical documents | GSTIN, PAN, ID and address proof, bank account and cancelled cheque; FSSAI for food |
| Costs | No ONDC registration fee reported; seller apps may charge subscriptions or commissions |
| Good for | Grocery, food, local retail, D2C brands wanting extra reach |
| Check | Current participant list and rules on ondc.org |
What is ONDC?
ONDC is an initiative backed by the Government of India to make digital commerce open and interoperable. Today, a seller on one marketplace can only reach buyers on that marketplace. On ONDC, a seller listed through any connected seller app can be discovered by buyers on any connected buyer app — much like UPI lets any bank app pay any other bank’s customer.
ONDC itself is not an app you shop on. It is a set of open protocols and a network. The apps you use — buyer apps and seller apps — are run by different companies that have joined the network.
How ONDC works for a seller
- You choose a seller app (a seller network participant). It handles your catalogue, orders, payments and often logistics.
- The seller app publishes your catalogue to the network.
- Buyers on different buyer apps search and find your products alongside other sellers.
- An order flows back through the network to your seller app, where you accept and fulfil it.
- Payment and settlement follow the network’s rules and your seller app’s terms.
How to register as a seller on ONDC
Steps vary slightly by seller app, but the overall flow is the same.
You'll need: GSTIN · PAN · Bank account and cancelled cheque · ID and address proof · Product catalogue with photos
Pick a seller app
Check the current list of seller network participants on ondc.org. Compare fees, categories supported, logistics options, settlement time and support in your language.
Sign up and complete KYC
Register with your mobile number, then submit business details, GSTIN, PAN, ID and address proof, and bank details. Food sellers need FSSAI registration.
Set up your store
Add your store name, address, serviceable area or pin codes, timings, return policy and delivery options.
List your products
Upload products with clear titles, photos, prices, stock and category details in the seller app’s format.
Go live and fulfil orders
Once approved, your catalogue becomes discoverable across connected buyer apps. Accept orders quickly, pack well and keep stock accurate to build ratings.
What does selling on ONDC cost?
Reports from seller apps indicate there is no fee to register with ONDC itself. Costs come from the seller app and the network:
- Seller app subscription or commission, depending on the app.
- Buyer app finder fee or commission, which varies by buyer app and category.
- Logistics charges if you use the network’s delivery partners.
- Payment and settlement fees as per your seller app’s terms.
Because fees vary and change, ask each seller app for a written breakdown for your category before signing up.
Pros and cons of ONDC for sellers
Advantages
- Reach buyers across many apps from one listing
- Often lower commissions than big marketplaces
- Local discovery for neighbourhood stores
- Choice of seller app — you are not locked to one
Limitations
- Order volumes vary a lot by category and city
- Experience depends heavily on your seller app
- Less control over branding than your own website
- Customer data and repeat marketing are limited
Which categories work best on ONDC
Grocery, food and beverages, and local retail have been among the most active categories, because ONDC’s strength is connecting nearby buyers and sellers. Fashion, home and kitchen, beauty and electronics are also listed by many sellers. Restaurants and cloud kitchens use ONDC buyer apps as an additional ordering channel. Test with your best-selling products first and watch which buyer apps actually send orders.
ONDC or your own website?
Think of ONDC as another marketplace-style channel — useful for discovery, but the customer relationship stays mostly with the buyer app. Your own website is where repeat customers, your brand, WhatsApp marketing and full margins live. The strongest approach is both: use ONDC and marketplaces to get found, and bring customers back to your own store with packaging inserts, loyalty offers and WhatsApp. See our guide on starting your own online store.
Tips to succeed on ONDC
- Accurate stock: cancelled orders hurt your rating; sync stock daily or automatically.
- Clear photos and titles with brand, size and quantity — buyers compare across sellers.
- Fast acceptance and dispatch: speed matters in local and grocery orders.
- Competitive but sustainable prices: include all fees in your price calculation.
- Good packaging: damage complaints and returns cost more than packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What is ONDC?
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is a government-backed open network that connects buyer apps and seller apps so buyers on one app can find sellers listed through another.
How do I register as a seller on ONDC?
Through a seller network participant app: sign up, complete KYC with GSTIN, PAN, ID/address proof and bank details, set up your store and list products.
Is ONDC registration free?
Seller-app sources report no ONDC registration fee, but seller apps, buyer apps and logistics partners may charge fees or commissions.
Is GST required to sell on ONDC?
Sources describe GST registration as required for ONDC sellers; food sellers also need FSSAI registration. Confirm with your seller app and accountant.
Can I sell on ONDC and my own website together?
Yes. Many sellers use ONDC for discovery and their own website for repeat customers and better margins.
Which seller app should I use?
Compare apps on the current ondc.org participant list for fees, supported categories, logistics, settlement speed and support.
What people ask AI about this
Questions people type into ChatGPT, Gemini and Google — answered directly.
“ONDC par seller kaise banein?”
ONDC par seedha registration nahi hota — kisi seller app ke through judein, GST, PAN, bank details ke saath KYC karein, store aur products list karein. Saath mein apni website bhi rakhein. Kode Studio, Hyderabad website aur integration mein madad karta hai.
“Is ONDC good for small sellers in Hyderabad?”
It can add local orders, especially in grocery and food. Treat it as one channel alongside your own website and WhatsApp, and track which buyer apps actually send orders.
Get expert help
Want this done for you? Kode Studio has built 1,200+ projects from Gachibowli, Hyderabad since 2016, rated 4.9★ from 80+ Google reviews. Tell us what you need and we reply with a clear plan and a fixed price.
The ₹499 consultation is refunded when you book any service. Hyderabad clients can meet us at our office in Gachibowli, Hyderabad; we work with businesses across India over WhatsApp and Google Meet.
Last updated 12 October 2026 · Kode Studio, Gachibowli, Hyderabad