Quick answer: You do not sign up with ONDC directly. You join through a seller app (a “Seller Network Participant”), which lists your catalogue on the network so buyers on any connected ONDC buyer app can find and order from you. Keep your business details, GSTIN, bank account and KYC documents ready, compare seller apps on fees and logistics, and if you hold Udyam registration, check whether the Ministry of MSME’s TEAM scheme can support your onboarding.
What ONDC is, in plain terms
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is a government-backed network, not a shopping app. It connects three kinds of companies:
| Who | What they do for you |
|---|---|
| Seller app (Seller Network Participant) | Signs you up, digitises your catalogue, receives orders, passes on payments and trains you |
| Buyer app | The app the customer shops on. Your products can appear on any connected buyer app |
| Logistics partner | Picks up and delivers the order, depending on the route and apps involved |
ONDC describes a Seller Network Participant as “responsible for connecting sellers to the ONDC network through a seller application”. There are two kinds:
- Marketplace Seller Node: hosts many sellers’ goods and does not make its own. Most small businesses join through one of these.
- Inventory Seller Node: an app run by a seller that sells only its own products. This suits larger brands with their own technology.
If you already use billing or store software, ask whether it connects to ONDC. Some technology providers offer this as a built-in option.
As of December 2025, the government told the Lok Sabha that more than 1.16 lakh retail sellers were live on ONDC across over 630 cities and towns.
Who it suits
ONDC works best for:
- local shops, home food businesses and grocers who can deliver nearby
- self-help groups (SHGs), farmer producer organisations and artisans
- small manufacturers with a steady, well-photographed product range
- businesses that want an extra channel without being tied to one marketplace’s rules
It is a weaker fit if you cannot manage stock updates, pack orders on time or handle returns, because the same order discipline as any marketplace applies.
Documents and details you will need
The West Bengal MSME department’s ONDC guidance lists what seller apps typically ask for:
- Business details: business name, address, contact details, GSTIN and bank account details
- Product details: products, category, delivery time, and your return and cancellation policy
- KYC: ID proof, address proof and a cancelled cheque
- Other: website (if any), logo, email ID, phone number and store name
Each seller app sets its own list, so expect small differences. On GST, the same rules apply as for any online selling; see our guide on where to sell online for thresholds and the enrolment route.
Step-by-step: getting live on ONDC
- Decide what you will sell first. Start with 10 to 30 products you can keep in stock and deliver reliably.
- Shortlist two or three seller apps. ONDC’s website links to its participants portal and the “ONDC Sahayak” WhatsApp chatbot, which helps sellers connect with seller apps. Send “Hi” to +91-8130935050 to start.
- Ask each seller app the same questions in writing. Fees, settlement cycle, which logistics partners they use, who handles returns, and what support they give in your language (see the checklist below).
- Register on the chosen app. Enter business, bank and KYC details and accept its terms. Read the commission and penalty sections before you sign.
- Build your catalogue. Clear photos on a plain background, honest descriptions, weight and size, price including GST, and delivery time.
- Set your service area and dispatch time. Be realistic. A late or cancelled order counts against you.
- Go live and test. Ask a friend to order from a buyer app to check that the listing, payment and delivery work end to end.
- Track settlements. Match every payout against orders, fees and returns each week.
What it costs
There is no single ONDC fee for sellers that we could confirm from an official source. In practice:
- your seller app may charge a subscription, a per-order fee or a percentage of sales
- the buyer app can charge a fee for bringing the customer
- logistics is charged per delivery
All of these are set by the companies involved, not by ONDC, and they change. Ask for a full fee sheet in writing and calculate your margin on a real order, including delivery and a possible return, before you set prices.
Seller app checklist
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What are all your charges, and the buyer app fee on a typical order? | Fees on ONDC come from more than one company |
| How many days until I am paid? | Affects how much stock money you need |
| Which logistics partners deliver my orders, and what do they charge? | Delivery quality varies by partner and route |
| Who handles returns and damaged items? | This decides who carries the loss |
| Do you support cataloguing and training in my language? | Saves time in the first month |
| Are you registered for the MSME TEAM scheme? | You can only use TEAM support through a participating seller app |
The MSME TEAM scheme: help with onboarding
The Ministry of MSME’s Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) initiative helps micro and small enterprises join ONDC. According to ONDC’s scheme page, as of October 2026:
- Outlay: ₹277.35 crore over three years, FY 2024-25 to FY 2026-27
- Target: 5 lakh micro and small enterprises, with 50% expected to be women-owned
- Implementing agency: National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)
- Support: PIB says it gives financial assistance for onboarding, cataloguing, account management, logistics, packaging material and design
Eligibility for businesses (from ONDC’s page):
- a valid Udyam registration
- not already selling on ONDC (you sign a self-declaration)
- not already helped by a similar ONDC programme run by a central, state or other government body
You register on the TEAM portal and onboard through a seller app that is registered for the scheme. The scheme period ends with FY 2026-27, so check the portal for current availability. ONDC’s page does not list a rupee amount per seller; that sits in the separate TEAM guidelines.
What to expect after you go live
- Orders may start slowly. Being on the network does not guarantee visibility. Good photos, fair prices and fast dispatch matter.
- Settlement is more complex. Payments pass between the buyer app, your seller app and the logistics partner. Reconcile weekly.
- You do not always choose the courier. Delivery speed and return handling can vary by route.
- Search ranking rules must be disclosed. The government told Parliament in December 2025 that buyer apps must disclose the main parameters they use to sort search results, so you can ask how ranking works.
- Complaints have a set path. Buyers complain first to the buyer app, which must respond within 48 hours. Unresolved complaints can be escalated to ONDC’s grievance portal after the promised time or 30 days, and then to an online dispute resolution provider or consumer court.
Common mistakes
- Joining through the first seller app you hear about without comparing fees.
- Listing products you cannot keep in stock, which leads to cancellations.
- Not keeping proof of packing, which makes damage claims hard to win.
FAQ
Q: Can I register on ONDC directly?
A: No. Sellers join through an ONDC seller app. Larger sellers with their own technology can become a seller node themselves, but small businesses usually use an existing seller app.
Q: Is ONDC free for sellers?
A: Not usually. Charges come from your seller app, the buyer app and logistics, not from a single ONDC fee. Ask for a written fee sheet.
Q: Do I need GST registration to sell on ONDC?
A: Seller apps generally ask for a GSTIN. Normal GST rules on thresholds and inter-state sales apply, so confirm with your seller app and a tax adviser.
Q: Will my products show on every ONDC shopping app?
A: Your products can be discovered on any connected ONDC buyer app, but which apps show them depends on the categories and locations those apps serve.
Q: How do I use the TEAM scheme?
A: You need Udyam registration and must not already be selling on ONDC. Register on the TEAM portal and onboard through a seller app participating in the scheme.
Q: Where can I get help in my language?
A: ONDC’s Sahayak WhatsApp chatbot supports several Indian languages. Send “Hi” to +91-8130935050.
Official links
- ONDC seller network participants: https://www.ondc.org/pages/seller-network-participants.html
- ONDC network information and Sahayak chatbot: https://ondc.org/know-about-ondc-network
- ONDC participants portal: https://portal.ondc.org
- ONDC MSME TEAM scheme page: https://ondc.org/msme-team-scheme/
- TEAM portal, MSME registration: https://team.msmemart.com/msme-registration-eligibility
- ONDC complaints process: https://ondc.org/complaints/
- Udyam registration: https://udyamregistration.gov.in
- PIB on ONDC and the TEAM scheme: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2146920
Last checked: October 2026. Rules, limits and fees change; confirm with the official source before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Sources: ONDC seller network participants page (October 2026); ONDC MSME TEAM scheme page (October 2026); ONDC Know about ONDC network page (October 2026); ONDC complaints page (October 2026); ONDC blog on Issue and Grievance Management; PIB (July 2025); IANS report of Lok Sabha reply (December 2025); West Bengal MSME department ONDC page (October 2026); Elets eGov (July 2025).
