India Post is actively integrating its services with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). This move is expected to significantly enhance the accessibility of postal services and enable the department to compete more effectively with private logistics companies.

Integration with ONDC

The integration with ONDC will enable several key features:

• Wallet-based prepaid bookings: This will streamline the payment process for customers using the ONDC platform.
• Centralized order tracking: Customers will be able to track their orders in real-time through a unified system.
• Automated reconciliation: This will automate the accounting processes between India Post and ONDC, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

By onboarding the ONDC platform as a logistics service provider, India Post aims to provide logistics support to small traders and make logistics more accessible to MSMEs and small sellers across the country.

Collaboration with GeM

Through its collaboration with GeM, India Post will provide:

• API-driven automated pricing: This will allow for dynamic and transparent pricing based on real-time data.
• Centralized dashboards: These dashboards will provide a single point of access for payment tracking and cash-on-delivery (COD) settlements.

The integration of India Post with GeM was operationalized in May 2022, followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between GeM, CSC, and India Post. This integration allows India Post to provide logistics services to remote areas of the country for sellers and buyers transacting via GeM. The partnership allows sellers to book consignment shipping online via the GeM portal, eliminating manual intervention and digitizing the process.

IT 2.0 Framework and Technological Transformation

These integration efforts are part of a broader technology-driven transformation under the IT 2.0 framework of India Post. As part of this transformation, more than 86,000 post offices are already using the new application, and the entire network of approximately 165,000 post offices is expected to migrate to the new platform by August 4, 2025.

The upgrades under IT 2.0 are designed to introduce:

• Real-time track and trace capabilities
• Customized services for bulk customers
• Electronic proof of delivery
• OTP-based authentication
• Digital payments
• Open API integration

Other Initiatives

In addition to the ONDC and GeM integrations, India Post has also launched 344 Delivery Centres nationwide in Phase 1. These centers consolidate the service areas of existing post offices and enable the department to offer flexible delivery services, including Sunday and holiday deliveries, as well as morning and evening delivery options.

Expected Outcomes

The integration of services on ONDC and GeM, along with the broader technological transformation, is expected to:

• Enhance the efficiency and reach of India Post's services
• Empower rural commerce and enable the Digital India vision
• Position India Post as a key enabler of e-commerce
• Allow India Post to offer seamless, end-to-end logistics services comparable to those of leading market players
• Remove delivery obstacles for micro sellers who face challenges in getting government orders due to a lack of packaging and transportation capacities

By leveraging its extensive network and embracing digital technologies, India Post aims to become the backbone of India's public logistics infrastructure.