UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 89: Science and Technology

Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce’ (ONDC) initiative ?

aTo allow government control over all digital commerce transactions

bTo replace private e-commerce players

cTo break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks

dTo mandate UPI-based payments for all online transactions

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

ONDC is a government-backed, open, interoperable network for digital commerce, launched in 2022 under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. Buyers and sellers on different apps can transact with one another, which lowers the dominance of large platforms, reduces costs for small sellers and widens consumer choice. It does not give the government control, replace private players or mandate UPI.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: ONDC is an open network, not state control.
(b) Wrong: it works alongside private players, who join the network.
(c) Right: interoperability breaks the dominance of large platforms.
(d) Wrong: it does not mandate UPI payments.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.