Journal Press India^®

Author Details ( * ) denotes Corresponding author

The phenomenon of technological leapfrogging in the Indian e-commerce sector, emphasizing its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and innovation-led development. With over 881 million Internet users and rising mobile-first adoption, India is experiencing a transformative shift toward digital commerce. The research adopts a qualitative and exploratory descriptive methodology, drawing from secondary data sources, such as market intelligence reports, government portals, and thematic analysis. Key focus areas include employment generation, inclusive access through vernacular and mobile platforms, rural e-commerce expansion, and integration of sustainable practices. This paper highlights the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and government-backed connectivity initiatives, such as BharatNet, as significant enablers. Case studies on platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and Nykaa illustrate the socioeconomic and infrastructural leapfrogging facilitated by e-commerce. It further discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on catalysing behavioural changes and expanding product categories. The findings indicate that India’s digital economy is accelerating but doing so in an inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven manner. Strategic policy support, infrastructure development, and digitization of MSMEs have been identified as critical pathways for sustaining this momentum.

Keywords

e-commerce, SDGs, Innovation, Technological leapfrogging, Digital economy, Rural commerce

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