GeM (Government e-Marketplace)

GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is India's official digital procurement portal through which Central and State government departments, public sector undertakings, and autonomous bodies purchase goods and services. Government buyers are mandated to procure through GeM for categories listed on the platform.

Who it applies to

Any business with a valid GSTIN and PAN can register as a GeM seller — there is no minimum turnover, no approval requirement, and no sector restriction. Both product companies and service providers can list on the platform.

DPIIT-recognised startups and Udyam-registered MSMEs get additional benefits beyond the base seller access.

What you get

For all sellers:

• Access to government tenders across Central and State departments and PSUs
• Digital contract management and online payment processing
• GeM Startup Runway — a dedicated section where government departments post specific problem statements for startups to respond to

For DPIIT-recognised startups:

• EMD exemption — no Earnest Money Deposit required when bidding on any GeM tender
• 25% purchase preference — in procurement decisions where a startup is bidding alongside larger competitors, the government buyer must give preference

For Udyam-registered MSMEs:

• Similar purchase preference provisions
• Eligibility for government procurement reservation quotas

What most founders miss

GeM covers services comprehensively — not just physical products. Software development, consulting, training, digital marketing, cloud infrastructure, and design services are all listed categories. Service-based startups that assume GeM is for manufacturers are wrong.

GeM revenue carries credibility in other government scheme applications. Banks consider GeM order history when assessing MSME loan applications, and some state scheme documents accept GeM contracts as proof of operational revenue.

The Startup Runway on GeM is underused. Government departments post specific innovation requirements — essentially paying startups to build solutions to real operational problems. These are not tenders in the traditional sense and attract far less competition than standard procurement bids.

See also

• DPIIT Recognition — required for EMD exemption and purchase preference
• Udyam Registration — also unlocks GeM procurement preferences
• GeM Startup Readiness Checker — check if your startup is ready to register