UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

With reference to foreign-owned e-commerce firms operating in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. They can sell their own goods in addition to offering their platforms as market-places. 
2. The degree to which they can own big sellers on their platforms is limited.
   
   

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Explanation:

• The FDI Policy prohibits retail trading in any form through e-commerce for the companies with FDI engaging in the activities of multi-brand retail trading. Multi-brand retail trading means selling different products of various brands through one platform. India has not allowed FDI in inventory-driven models of e-commerce. The inventory model, which Walmart and Amazon use in the United States, is where the goods and services are owned by an e-commerce firm that sells directly to retail customers. The restriction is aimed largely at protecting India's vast unorganized retail sector that does not have the clout to purchase at scale and offer big discounts. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  

• e-commerce firms operating in India can own many big sellers on their platforms. The degree to which they can own big sellers on their platforms is thus not limited. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Economics| Foreign Trade and Investment