The Beckn Protocol is an open and decentralized digital commerce protocol that enables the creation of open, peer-to-peer decentralized networks for pan-sector economic transactions which results seamless transactions across various platforms and services.
It is designed to create a unified ecosystem where service providers, platforms, and consumers can interact and conduct transactions without being confined to a single platform or marketplace. The protocol is primarily aimed at facilitating transactions in sectors like e-commerce, mobility, healthcare, and local services by creating a common standard that enables interoperability.
Key Concepts of Beckn Protocol
Decentralization:
Beckn is a decentralized protocol, meaning no single entity owns or controls the system. Instead, various participants in the ecosystem, such as service providers and consumers, communicate directly through a standardized set of APIs.
Interoperability:
One of the core goals of Beckn is to enable interoperability between different digital platforms. For instance, a service provider (like a local store or cab service) can integrate once using Beckn and be discoverable across multiple platforms and marketplaces.
API-driven:
The protocol is built around APIs that allow service providers to publish their services, users to discover those services , and the two parties to complete a transaction.
For example, the API could facilitate things like booking a cab, placing an order at a restaurant, or scheduling a healthcare appointment, all through a unified protocol.
Open Network:
Beckn aims to establish an Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), where various stakeholders (like sellers, consumers, and platforms) can interact in an open marketplace without walled gardens. This encourages more competition and innovation.
Domain Agnostic:
Beckn is designed to be applicable across various domains. Whether it's mobility, retail, healthcare, or logistics, the protocol can be adapted to meet the needs of different sectors.
Discoverability:
One of the critical functions of Beckn is to enable the discoverability of services. Consumers can search for services (e.g., products, transportation, healthcare) available within the ecosystem, and service providers can list themselves for visibility across platforms.
Transaction Workflow:
Beckn supports the entire transaction lifecycle from discovery (finding a service) to order fulfillment (providing the service). This includes payment, delivery, and any after-service workflows such as feedback or returns.
Beckn Architecture-
Example Use Cases of Beckn Protocol-
Mobility: A commuter could use a single app to discover ride-hailing services from multiple providers (Uber, Ola, etc.), and book a cab from the one that best suits their needs, all via the Beckn protocol.
E-commerce: A shopper could use a marketplace platform to discover products from various local stores, even if those stores aren’t directly listed on the platform. The protocol enables seamless integration across different sellers.
Healthcare: Patients can use Beckn-enabled apps to book appointments with doctors across multiple healthcare platforms, ensuring access to more options and services.
Logistics: A logistics service provider can integrate once with the Beckn protocol and make their delivery services available across multiple e-commerce platforms.
Components of Beckn Protocol
Network Participants:
Service Providers: Businesses that offer services like ride-hailing, food delivery, or product sales.
Consumer Applications: Platforms (such as mobile apps or websites) where users interact to discover and book services.
Beckn Gateways: Nodes in the network that facilitate communication between service providers and consumer apps, ensuring discoverability.
API Framework:
Beckn APIs enable communication between participants, covering key actions such as-
- Discovery: Finding services or products.
- Transaction: Placing orders, booking appointments, or confirming services.
- Fulfillment: Ensuring that the service or product is delivered.
- Post-transaction: Handling things like feedback, returns, or customer support.
Data Privacy & Security:
Beckn protocol is designed with security in mind, ensuring that user data and transaction information are handled securely. Since it's decentralized , no central authority has full control of user data, which promotes privacy.
Benefits of Beckn Protocol
1.Inclusivity:
Small businesses, local service providers, and independent contractors can integrate into the digital economy without having to rely on big, centralized platforms.2.Lower Barriers to Entry:
Businesses need only integrate once using Beckn, after which they can be discoverable across multiple platforms.3.Innovation:
Beckn fosters competition by breaking the walled gardens of proprietary marketplaces, enabling new business models, and fostering innovation in various sectors.4.Choice and Convenience:
Consumers gain access to a broader range of services, products, and providers without needing to switch between different apps or platforms.
Beckn protocol in the Real World
The Beckn Protocol is part of a larger movement toward creating open digital ecosystems, particularly in India. For example, the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) initiative in India is built using the Beckn protocol, aiming to democratize e-commerce and bring small retailers into the digital economy. The Indian government supports ONDC for making digital commerce more accessible and competitive.
Here are some practical examples of how the Beckn Protocol can be used in different industries:
1. Ride-Hailing and Mobility Services
Example: Imagine a city with multiple ride-hailing services (e.g., Uber, Ola, Rapido). Instead of using individual apps for each service, a user can use one app powered by the Beckn Protocol. This app aggregates all available ride-hailing services, showing nearby cars, prices, and estimated arrival times from multiple providers. The user can choose the best option, book the ride, and pay directly through the unified app.
Benefit: Service providers gain broader visibility, and users can easily compare services in one place without switching between apps.
https://becknprotocol.io/imagining-mobility-with-beckn/
2. Food Delivery Services
Example: A consumer uses a food delivery app that leverages Beckn to show restaurants from multiple food delivery services (like Zomato, Swiggy, and local food delivery providers). Instead of sticking to just one platform, the user sees menus from different services and can order based on price, availability, or delivery time.
Benefit: Restaurants get listed on more platforms, increasing their exposure, and users can find more options without hopping between different apps.
3. E-Commerce and Local Retail
Example: A shopper is looking for a product (like a phone charger) and uses an app built on the Beckn Protocol. The app aggregates inventory from big e-commerce players (like Amazon or Flipkart) as well as small local retailers. The user can compare prices and delivery times from both big platforms and nearby local stores, then make a purchase from the most convenient provider.
Benefit: Small businesses and local stores can compete with larger e-commerce platforms and reach a wider audience without needing their own app or website.
4. Healthcare Services
Example: A patient needs to book a doctor's appointment but doesn’t want to manually search through different healthcare platforms. A healthcare app using Beckn shows available doctors and clinics across multiple platforms (like Practo, 1mg, or even independent clinics). The patient can choose a doctor based on location, specialization, and availability, all in one place.
Benefit: Patients get access to a larger pool of healthcare providers, and doctors can offer their services on multiple platforms through a single integration.
5. Logistics and Courier Services
Example: An online seller wants to ship products to customers but doesn’t want to manage multiple courier services. With an app built on Beckn, they can see delivery options from multiple logistics providers (like FedEx, Blue Dart, and local couriers) and choose the best one based on cost, speed, or reliability.
Benefit: Businesses can streamline shipping operations by comparing various logistics providers through one interface, optimizing for cost and delivery time.
6. Public Transportation
Example: A commuter is planning a trip using public transit in a city. Using a Beckn-powered app, they can view transportation options from multiple transit services (like metro, bus, bike-sharing services, or even ride-hailing). The app provides real-time schedules, available options, and payment methods across different transport networks.
Benefit: The commuter has a unified experience with multiple transportation modes, improving convenience and access to more options.
7. Local Services (Home Services, Repair, Cleaning)
Example: A user needs a home repair service (e.g., a plumber or electrician). Instead of browsing different service provider platforms (like UrbanClap or Housejoy), a Beckn-enabled app aggregates professionals from multiple service providers. The user can compare prices, reviews, and availability and book a service directly from the app.
Benefit: Service providers get access to more customers, and consumers can quickly find professionals based on location, reviews, and price.
8. Travel and Hospitality
Example: A traveler uses a travel booking app based on Beckn to find accommodations. The app aggregates listings from various hotel chains, Airbnb, and local guesthouses. The traveler can filter by price, location, and amenities, then book the best option without switching between platforms.
Benefit: Smaller accommodation providers can compete with big brands, and travelers get access to more choices across different platforms in one app.
9. Government Services and Civic Engagement
Example: A citizen uses a Beckn-enabled app to access multiple government services. They can apply for a driver's license, pay taxes, and book a health checkup at a government hospital—all from one platform that integrates services from different government departments and third-party providers.
Benefit: Governments can offer a unified experience across various services, and citizens get easier access to public services without visiting multiple websites or offices.
Integrating your app with the Beckn Protocol opens up the opportunity to connect with a vast, decentralized ecosystem of services and providers, making it easier for users to discover, transact, and manage services across multiple domains—all from within a single app.
*Understand the Beckn Protocol and API- *
The Beckn Protocol operates using a set of APIs that allow apps to discover, place orders, and track services. As developer, you’ll be interacting with these APIs to implement features like service discovery, booking, and payment.
- Discovery API: Allows your app to fetch available services.
- Order API: Handles service booking and order placement.
- Fulfillment API: Tracks the progress of an order or service.
- Payment API: Manages payments between users and service providers.
- Feedback API: Collects user reviews and ratings after service completion.
More about Beckn protocol-
https://developers.becknprotocol.io/docs/introduction/introduction/
https://github.com/beckn/developer-docs/blob/master/content/index.mdx
https://github.com/beckn/protocol-specifications
project reference-
https://developers.becknprotocol.io/docs/projects/beckn-in-a-box-bap/
https://becknprotocol.io/beckn-onix/
Top comments (0)