Public procurement plays a key role in driving economic growth and supporting people’s livelihoods. When the government buys goods and services, it creates opportunities for businesses of all sizes to grow and succeed. In fact, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has allowed local startups to fulfil orders of ₹35,950 crore.

GeM is India’s largest flagship public portal that facilitates the procurement of goods and services required by public sector undertakings (PSUs), government departments, and ministries. In this GeM portal registration guide, we will explore how you can register on the GeM as vendors and micro, small and medium-sized (MSME) businesses.

What is GeM (Govt e-Marketplace)?

The Government e-Marketplace India is a public procurement portal that facilitates online procurement of goods and services required by PSUs, government departments and organisations. The GeM portal acts as an e-marketplace where government departments, ministries, and public sector units buy goods and services straight from registered suppliers. It offers quick access to a large pool of government buyers. Here is everyone who can register on GeM:

• Manufacturers and traders
• Service providers
• MSMEs and startups
• Government buyers

The portal brings efficiency and transparency to how the government buys goods and services. It also provides tools to apply for the GeM online tender, e-bidding, demand aggregation, and reverse e-auction. MSMEs can register as a vendor on the website and get access to a pool of government buyers.

GeM Registration Benefits for MSMEs

Here are the key GeM registration benefits you must know:

• Access to 2.37 lakh+ Government Buyers: Vendors can approach a pool of government departments, ministries, and PSUs.
• Transparent Transactions: From bidding to payment, MSMEs and vendors can monitor every transaction online.
• Equal Opportunities: Whether you are a small-scale producer or a new service provider, you can compete with large businesses in the same marketplace.
• Prompt and Assured Payments: On the GeM portal, payments are assured after a specific period from the delivery and acceptance of goods or services.
• Lower Cost of Advertising: Once you list your products and services in the GeM catalogue, it becomes visible to many potential government buyers.
• Dynamic Pricing: The price of the goods and services can be adjusted according to the market conditions.
• GeM Online Tender and Reverse Auction: You can take part in e-bidding and reverse auctions for all goods and services.

Women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) account for only 8% of the seller base on GeM. Despite their small percentage of participation, they have fulfilled a cumulative order of ₹46,615 crore, all because of the benefits of GeM.

Eligibility for GeM Registration for Vendors and MSMEs

Here is the general GeM eligibility criteria you must meet in order to apply for GeM as a vendor:

• Company registration (Company, LLP, Partnership, Proprietorship, or OPC).
• Freelancers and service providers can also register if they are offering eligible services.
• The business must have valid GST registrations.
• The business must possess the Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued by the Income Tax Department.
• Bank account details
• Aadhaar number, mobile number and Email ID

Step-by-Step Vendor Registration on the GeM Portal

Follow these simple steps to register on the GeM portal as vendors or sellers:

1. Visit the Official GeM Portal: Visit the official Government e-Marketplace portal.
2. Select the “Seller/Service Provider” Option: On the home page, click the “Sign Up” option. You will have two options: “Buyer Organisation” and “Seller/Service Provider.” As you are registering as a vendor, choose the “Seller/Service Provider” option.
3. Choose the Business/Organisation Type: Next, choose your business type from the dropdown, check all the boxes below and click Proceed.
4. Check the Mandatory Boxes: Check all the mandatory boxes, like personal and business details, before proceeding.
5. Accept the Terms and Conditions: Read the Terms and Conditions carefully.
6. Fill in Your Organisation Details: Provide the Business/Organisation name and re-enter it.
7. Complete Aadhaar: Provide the Aadhaar number and click on Verify Aadhaar. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number for verification.
8. Verify PAN: Enter your PAN card details, date of birth and mobile number again. Next, click on the Send OTP. Now select your role within the organisation and click on Next.
9. Complete Personal Verification: Provide your First Name, Last Name and Mobile number linked with Aadhaar. Click on ‘I Confirm that I am the key person of the organisation’.
10. Complete Email Verification: Enter your Email ID and click on the Send OTP. Enter the OTP that you have received on your Email ID and click on Verify OTP.
11. Set Username and Password: After you’ve completed the email verification, set your username and password, and then click Create Account.

Documents Required for GeM Registration

Keep the following documents ready before starting your GeM registration:

• Aadhaar card of the business owner
• Business PAN card or Owner PAN card
• GST registration certificate
• Udyam registration
• Bank account details and cancelled cheque
• Document proof of business registration (Company Incorporation Certificate, Partnership deed, etc.)
• Proof of business address
• Active mobile number and Email ID

Key GeM Features Vendors Must Know

Here are the key features of GeM that make procurement fair and transparent:

• Bidding System: Sellers can participate in the GeM online tender process and bid for their offerings on the website itself.
• Reverse Auction: The portal hosts reverse auctions, whereby sellers reduce their prices to obtain a contract.
• Convenient Payments: Suppliers get paid within an agreed timeframe and ensure that there are no delays, like in offline transactions.
• Digital Catalogue: Vendors can put all their services and products within a virtual catalogue.
• Transparency: All the steps from registration through bids and payments are transparent.
• Easy Order Tracking: Once an order has been placed, the vendors can track its status on the dashboard.

The GeM portal offers an opportunity to vendors and MSMEs to grow through government procurement. This is why you must know the process of how to apply for GeM as a vendor. Registering on the GeM portal also allows you to grow your business and establish long-term credibility.

As your business expands because of government procurement, you will need to apply for a business loan to handle the expansion without any difficulties. DMI Finance offers a business loan with fast disbursal and attractive interest rates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the GeM portal for?

The Government e-Marketplace allows a platform for government buyers to buy goods and services and sellers to sell them transparently.

2. Who can apply for GeM vendor registration?

Any legally registered service provider, freelancer, or business with valid documents is eligible to apply.

3. What are the most important GeM registration benefits for MSMEs?

The key benefits are direct access to government buyers, timely payments, and higher visibility.

4. Is GST registration required for GeM?

Yes, all businesses must have a GST registration certificate to register on the GeM portal.

5. Can freelancers register individually on GeM?

Yes, eligible service providers can register on the Government e-Markplace portal as sellers.

6. How to sell on GeM?

Create an account on the GeM portal and post your products in the corresponding categories. Once an order is received, deliver the product to the consignee and update the delivery information on the portal.

7. Is GeM registration free of charge?

Yes, it is free initially. However, some features and transactions are paid for and will require you to pay some fees.

8. How long does GeM registration take?

The GeM registration process is quick and takes 10 minutes or more to complete from start to end.

9. How is payment made on GeM?

Direct payment will be made to the vendor’s bank account within a specific time frame following delivery.

10. Why should MSMEs register under the Govt e-Marketplace India?

It offers a transparent, fair, and direct marketplace for selling goods and services to government buyers.