PaiPai app, backed by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, was accidentally launched earlier than planned and removed from the Play Store

An forthcoming software called PaiPai, supported by Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s Pai Platforms and available on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), was unintentionally released earlier this month on the Google Play Store. MoneyControl was informed by sources with knowledge of the situation that the app has subsequently been taken down.

The media outlet was also informed that the software was a beta version meant for testing among a select user base. Users who have previously downloaded the app are no longer able to access it via the Play Store, and their login credentials are permanently removed. The app is now undergoing feature additions, and a full launch is anticipated in the next few months for the completed version.

“Our app was part of our ongoing exploration of new concepts, reflecting our commitment to innovation,” a Pai Pai representative said. All projects are given serious thought before judgments are made. Although we are unable to announce a relaunch at this time, we are committed to enhancing our platform via testing and user input. The spokeswoman said, “We’ll keep you informed of any updates on any future developments.”

The PaiPai app was created by One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, as shown by its Play Store listing, which was momentarily available a few weeks ago. Pai Platforms is not owned by Paytm.

Paytm, which views the ONDC as the next great potential in the digital commerce market, has made it a major emphasis area with government backing. Encouraging diverse digital commerce ecosystems throughout the country is the ultimate objective.

One of its primary features is the establishment of a platform that removes the need for clients to use several delivery programs; this simplifies and reduces stress for all parties.

Since ONDC and the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) mobile payment system share many features, ONDC functions as a middleman between buyers and sellers. A user may use this method to make payments using any payment app they want.

Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma was reported by MoneyControl as stating, “Commerce is a natural extension for us,” during an industry gathering in the nation’s capital last year. By the end of 2025, we want to have at least 10 million merchants registered on ONDC. Sharma also said that 11.8 million users have already made ONDC purchases via Paytm.

With its app, Paytm Mall, Paytm E-commerce Private Limited (now Pai Platforms) has already encountered difficulties in the e-commerce industry. It sold all of its shares in the company in 2022 for a little over Rs 100 crore, after having raised $400 million (about Rs 29 billion) in early 2018 at a value of over $2 billion (roughly Rs 145 billion) from investors including Alibaba and SoftBank.

Nonetheless, ONDC has spurred Indian IT businesses’ interest in reexamining e-commerce. In an effort to challenge the dominance of a few companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, and Swiggy in the nation’s online retail market, a number of digital unicorns, including Ola, PhonePe, Meesho, and Shiprocket, have shown interest in ONDC.