The e-commerce has grown at an exponential rate in fast few years in India, along with that the need for a comprehensive policy on e-commerce has also grown to safeguard India’s interests globally. Discuss.

E-commerce is defined as virtual selling-buying of goods via electronic medium without physical initiation between seller and buyer.

Issues and need for e-commerce policy:

• Smoothen out taxation glitches in the era of GST (states want more control of goods sold and received).
• Domestic expansion made by transport/logistical glitches.
• Issues related to fraud.
• Payment related glitches – digital payments not fully adopted by the Indian population.
• Concerns regarding data – storage of data of domestic consumers and international users.

A comprehensive e-commerce policy should include:

• Smoothen out logistical bottlenecks – simplification of customs procedures for international clients.
• Tax compliance eased.
• Definite data storage guidelines in compliance of international standards (european GDPR).
• Security of online transactions to be ensured.
• Consumer protection – protection from frauds, misleading advertisements.
• Protection against predatory pricing, fair trade for physical stores.

The growth of e-commerce should be ensured by a proper regulatory environment and e-commerce policy.