Encourage small traders and MSMEs to adopt ONDC

The promise was to encourage small traders and MSMEs to adopt ONDC and expand their businesses using technology. Official evidence shows active rollout: PIB reported that as of December 31, 2025 about 206,000 merchants had conducted at least one transaction on ONDC, about 6 lakh service providers were available on the network, and 3,127 MSMEs had generated more than one lakh transactions through the MSME TEAM Scheme in the financial year. PIB also reported that ONDC had more than 1.16 lakh retail sellers live across more than 630 cities and towns by December 2025. The MSME TEAM Initiative gives MSMEs ready-made online storefronts, digital payment support and logistics support through direct access to ONDC, with a target to benefit 5 lakh micro and small enterprises. This is strong evidence of active adoption and government-backed encouragement, but mass adoption across small traders and MSMEs is still scaling, so the verdict is on track rather than fulfilled. Budget: the MSME TEAM Initiative has an approved outlay of Rs 277.35 crore for 2024 to 2027; utilisation details were not found.