The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is preparing to appoint Rohit Lohia, a senior executive from Paytm, as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO). The position has been vacant for several months, and the move is being seen as an important step in ONDC’s efforts to regain stability and accelerate growth, especially in its struggling retail vertical. As the government-backed platform works to transform India’s digital commerce landscape, strengthening its leadership team has become more urgent than ever.
Rohit Lohia’s Journey So Far
Rohit Lohia is no stranger to high-pressure roles in the digital and fintech space. At Paytm, he has been at the forefront of business strategy and growth initiatives, handling multiple verticals with a focus on scaling operations. His leadership roles have extended to key Paytm subsidiaries such as Paytm Money and QorQl, where he contributed to strengthening their business models and expanding their reach. Lohia’s wide-ranging experience in building partnerships, driving user adoption, and steering business execution is seen as the right fit for ONDC at a time when the network needs steady leadership and a sharper focus on performance.
ONDC’s Growing Pains
Although ONDC was launched with the aim of democratizing e-commerce in India by bringing together buyers and sellers on an open network, the journey so far has not been smooth. The network operates across three major segments — mobility, logistics, and retail. While mobility services such as cab and auto bookings and logistics deliveries have been witnessing consistent growth, the retail business has been losing momentum. In August 2025, ONDC reported close to 18 million transactions overall, showing a healthy month-on-month increase. However, retail orders dropped to just under 3.8 million, a sharp decline compared to 6.1 million orders in the same period last year. This downward trend is a cause for concern, as retail was initially the strongest driver of ONDC’s growth story.
Leadership Challenges
ONDC’s leadership struggles have added to its difficulties. The role of Chief Business Officer has been empty since March when Shireesh Joshi stepped down. Earlier in the year, CEO Thampy Koshy had also resigned, leaving a major vacuum at the top level of the organization. Frequent exits at the senior-most level have raised questions about stability and direction, particularly at a time when the platform is under pressure to perform and prove its long-term viability. Appointing a leader like Rohit Lohia is expected to restore confidence, both internally and among external stakeholders, by providing clarity of vision and execution.
ONDC Eyes Strategic Leadership
If the appointment goes through, Rohit Lohia’s entry as Chief Business Officer could mark a turning point for ONDC. His track record at Paytm shows he has the ability to manage scale, develop growth strategies, and build strong industry partnerships. These skills will be crucial as ONDC looks to revive its retail vertical, expand seller participation, and strengthen buyer adoption. Beyond retail, his leadership could also help ONDC align its business roadmap across categories and maintain momentum in logistics and mobility. However, the challenges remain significant, with intense competition from established players such as Amazon and Flipkart. To succeed, ONDC will have to leverage its unique open-network model and deliver value for both buyers and sellers.
Rohit Lohia Joins ONDC
The decision to bring in Rohit Lohia comes at a decisive moment for ONDC. The platform has the potential to reshape India’s digital commerce ecosystem, but it needs stable leadership to translate vision into results. A seasoned professional at the helm of business operations could help ONDC regain its footing in retail while continuing to grow in mobility and logistics. Ultimately, the effectiveness of this move will depend not just on filling a vacant position but on executing a clear, sustained strategy to build trust, scale participation, and prove that India’s open-network model can thrive in a highly competitive e-commerce market.