How to Register on GeM (Government e-Marketplace) — Seller & Buyer Guide

GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is India's official online procurement platform where government departments buy goods and services from registered sellers. If you want to sell to the government or you're a government buyer looking to procure, this guide covers the complete registration process for both.

What is GeM (Government e-Marketplace)?

GeM is a one-stop online marketplace launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for procurement by central and state government ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs). It replaces the old manual tendering system with a transparent, efficient, and paperless process.

All central government departments are mandated to procure common-use goods and services through GeM. Many state governments have also adopted the platform.

Why GeM Matters

• Mandatory for government procurement — Central government organisations must use GeM for listed categories
• Transparent and competitive — Equal opportunity for all registered sellers
• Paperless and efficient — End-to-end digital process from listing to payment
• Massive market — Over ₹4 lakh crore worth of orders processed on GeM
• Direct access — No middlemen between sellers and government buyers
• Timely payments — Payment tracking through the platform

Documents Required for Seller Registration

Before starting registration, keep these documents ready:

Note: For company registration, you'll need a valid incorporation certificate from MCA.

Seller Registration Process — Step by Step

Step 1: Visit the GeM Portal

Go to gem.gov.in and click "Register" or go directly to the seller signup page.

Step 2: Select Seller Type

Choose your entity type:

• Proprietorship / Individual
• Partnership Firm
• LLP / Private Limited / Public Limited
• Society / Trust
• Startup

Step 3: Enter Basic Details

Provide your Aadhaar number, PAN, and mobile number. Complete OTP verification on both mobile and email.

Step 4: GST & Business Verification

Enter your GSTIN. GeM auto-fetches your business details from the GST database. For service providers without mandatory GST, alternate verification is available.

Step 5: Bank Account Verification

Add your bank account details. GeM verifies the account through a penny-drop transaction (₹1 credit to your account).

Step 6: Complete Your Profile

Upload required documents, add your business address, and complete your seller profile. Include product catalogues and relevant certifications.

Step 7: Profile Approval

GeM reviews your profile. Once approved, you can start listing products and services. Approval typically takes 2–3 working days.

Buyer (Government Department) Registration

Buyer registration on GeM is restricted to government organisations — central ministries, state departments, PSUs, and autonomous bodies.

Buyer Registration Steps

1. Visit GeM portal and select "Buyer" registration
2. Enter official email — Must be a government email (nic.in or official domain)
3. Organisation verification — Select your ministry/department from the dropdown
4. Authorisation — The primary admin of your organisation must approve your registration
5. Role assignment — Buyers get roles like Consignee, Paying Authority, or Procurement Officer based on approval
6. Training — GeM provides free online training modules for buyers

Buyer registration requires an existing organisation setup on GeM. If your department isn't listed, the nodal officer must first onboard the organisation.

OEM vs Reseller on GeM

GeM distinguishes between two types of sellers:

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

• Manufacturers who make their own products
• Can list products under their brand
• Must provide brand ownership or authorisation documents
• Get priority in certain procurement categories

Reseller

• Traders or distributors selling products made by others
• Must provide OEM authorisation letter for branded products
• Can sell unbranded/generic products without authorisation
• Compete on price and delivery terms

Tip: If you're a manufacturer, always register as OEM — it builds trust and can give you a competitive edge.

Product & Service Listing on GeM

Once registered, sellers must list their offerings:

1. Search the catalogue — Find the relevant product/service category on GeM
2. Select specifications — GeM has standardised specifications for common items
3. Enter pricing — Set your offered price (inclusive of GST, delivery, and installation if applicable)
4. Upload documents — Product images, test reports, certifications
5. Quality compliance — Some categories require BIS certification or specific standards
6. Go live — Once listed, your product is visible to all government buyers

GeM Categories

GeM covers a wide range of categories:

• Products — IT hardware, office supplies, furniture, electrical equipment, vehicles, medical equipment, safety gear, and more
• Services — Manpower services, cloud hosting, transportation, facility management, training, consulting, and more
• GeM categories are continuously expanding — New product and service categories are added regularly

Bidding Process on GeM

GeM offers multiple procurement methods:

Direct Purchase

• For orders up to ₹25,000 — Single item purchase from any available seller at listed price
• No bidding required — Buyer selects directly from the marketplace
• Fastest method of procurement

L1 Purchase (Lowest Price)

• System automatically identifies the lowest-priced seller (L1) meeting specifications
• Buyer can directly place an order with the L1 seller
• Available for purchases up to a defined threshold

Bidding / e-Tender (RA)

• Reverse Auction (RA) — Sellers bid competitively; lowest bid wins
• Used for high-value procurement above defined limits
• Buyers set specifications, quantity, and delivery timelines
• Sellers submit bids online within the auction window
• Transparent — all bids visible in real-time

Custom Bids

• For specialised requirements not available in standard catalogue
• Buyer posts requirements; eligible sellers submit proposals
• Evaluated on technical and financial parameters

Payment Terms on GeM

• Payments are made through government treasury systems (PFMS/e-Payment)
• Standard payment timeline: Within 10 working days of receipt and acceptance of goods/services
• Consignee acceptance triggers the payment process
• No advance payment — Payment is made after delivery and inspection
• CRAC (Consignee Receipt and Acceptance Certificate) must be generated for payment release
• Sellers can track payment status on the GeM dashboard

Startup Benefits on GeM

GeM offers several incentives for startups recognised by DPIIT:

• Relaxed eligibility — Prior turnover and experience criteria waived for DPIIT-recognised startups
• No EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) required for bidding
• No prior experience — Startups can participate in bids without past supply records
• Startup Runway — Dedicated section on GeM showcasing innovative startup products
• Category creation — Startups can request new categories for innovative products

To avail startup benefits, ensure your startup is registered on the Startup India portal and has a valid DPIIT recognition number.

Common Issues & Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GeM registration free?

Yes, registration on GeM is completely free for both sellers and buyers. There are no registration fees or annual charges.

Can individuals register as sellers on GeM?

Yes, individuals with a valid PAN and GST registration (for goods) can register as sole proprietors on GeM.

Is GST registration mandatory for selling on GeM?

GST registration is mandatory for selling goods on GeM. For certain services below the GST threshold, you may register without GSTIN, but having one is recommended.

How long does GeM seller registration take?

The registration process takes about 30–60 minutes to complete. Profile approval by GeM takes 2–3 working days after submission.

Can private companies buy from GeM?

No, GeM is exclusively for government procurement. Only government departments, PSUs, and autonomous government bodies can register as buyers.

What is the GeM helpdesk number?

You can reach GeM support at 1800-419-3436 (toll-free) or email at helpdesk-gem@gov.in.

Can I sell services without being a company?

Yes, freelancers and individual service providers can register on GeM under the proprietorship category, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for their service category.

What happens if a seller doesn't deliver on time?

GeM has a penalty mechanism. Delayed delivery can result in liquidated damages, negative ratings, and in severe cases, debarment from the platform.

GeM has transformed government procurement in India by making it transparent, efficient, and accessible to businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a manufacturer, trader, service provider, or startup — registering on GeM opens up a massive government market for your business.