In a significant leadership development, Rohit Lohia, currently the Senior Vice President at Paytm, is reportedly set to join the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO), according to a report by Moneycontrol. Lohia’s appointment is expected to fill the critical vacancy left by Shireesh Joshi, who stepped down from the CBO position in March 2025.
This move marks a pivotal moment for ONDC, a government-backed initiative aimed at democratizing digital commerce across India. With the platform undergoing a series of top-level changes in recent months, Lohia’s onboarding is seen as a strategic effort to stabilize and steer the organization’s business direction.
Rohit Lohia’s Experience and Role at Paytm
At Paytm, one of India’s largest fintech companies, Lohia played a key role in strategy, growth, and business operations. He also held influential board positions at Paytm Money and QorQl, showcasing his diverse experience across financial services and health-tech sectors.
With his strong background in scaling businesses and driving strategic initiatives, Lohia is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to ONDC’s mission of creating an open, interoperable, and inclusive digital commerce ecosystem in India.
Leadership Churn at ONDC
Lohia’s appointment comes at a time of considerable senior leadership churn at ONDC. Over the past few months, the organization has witnessed several high-profile exits:
- Thampy Koshy, the founding CEO of ONDC, resigned in April 2025.
- Arvind Gupta, an independent director on ONDC’s board, exited in June.
- Shireesh Joshi, the former CBO, stepped down in March.
These departures raised concerns over ONDC’s long-term leadership stability and strategic direction. However, in response to these changes, ONDC has formed an eight-member executive committee to oversee operations and decision-making processes.
Additionally, Vibhor Jain, the former Chief Operating Officer (COO), has been elevated to the role of Acting CEO, ensuring operational continuity during this transitional phase.
What Lohia’s Appointment Means for ONDC
The inclusion of a seasoned executive like Rohit Lohia is expected to bring renewed focus and structure to ONDC’s business and growth initiatives. As CBO, Lohia will likely oversee:
- Merchant onboarding and partnerships
- Strategic alliances with e-commerce platforms and payment providers
- Operational growth in key sectors such as retail, logistics, and food delivery
- Market expansion and stakeholder engagement
Given his deep knowledge of India’s digital ecosystem and his experience at a high-growth company like Paytm, Lohia’s role could prove instrumental in scaling ONDC’s adoption across both buyers and sellers.
Conclusion
As ONDC navigates a critical phase in its journey, the addition of Rohit Lohia as Chief Business Officer signals a renewed push toward business growth, innovation, and network expansion. With a restructured leadership team and new talent at the helm, ONDC appears poised to further its goal of transforming India’s digital commerce landscape.
