GeM's Transformative Impact on Public Procurement
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has revolutionized India's public procurement system since its launch on 9 August 2016, replacing manual, fragmented processes with a transparent, technology-driven digital platform. The platform has facilitated cumulative procurement worth over ₹20 lakh crore, connecting more than 1.37 lakh government buyer organizations with nearly 25 lakh sellers and service providers across Central and State Ministries, Departments, PSUs, Autonomous Bodies, local bodies, Panchayats, and Cooperatives.
Operational Scale and Digital Infrastructure
GeM serves as a comprehensive digital marketplace offering over 10,660 product categories and 350 service categories, covering diverse needs from medical equipment and furniture to transport services and human resources. The platform digitizes the complete procurement lifecycle from seller registration to payment, ensuring transparency through features like direct purchase, comparison, electronic bidding, and reverse auctions. Key analytical tools include the GeM Availability Report, Past Transaction Summary, Last Purchase Price data, price trends, and departmental procurement history to enable informed decision-making.
Strategic Partnerships and Ecosystem Development
GeM has forged multiple strategic partnerships to enhance its ecosystem: with IN-SPACe for space-tech procurement and Drone Federation India for drone procurement (April 2025); with Union Bank of India under the GeMSahay initiative providing collateral-free working capital loans to proprietorship sellers; with EPFO for compliance in manpower outsourcing services; and with UN Women for promoting women-led enterprises through the Womaniya initiative. Additional MoUs with AJNIFM, CareEdge Ratings, NCGG, and IIPA support research, training, and policy development in public procurement.
Inclusive Growth Initiatives and Performance Metrics
In FY2025-26, GeM demonstrated significant inclusive growth outcomes: over 11 lakh registered Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) executed more than 51 lakh orders worth over ₹2.36 lakh crore; more than 2.1 lakh registered women-led MSEs secured procurement worth over ₹28,000 crore; SC/ST enterprises achieved procurement exceeding ₹6,000 crore with nearly 28% annual growth; and startup procurement crossed ₹19,000 crore with over 36% annual growth.
Special Initiatives for Underserved Communities
The platform has launched dedicated initiatives including SWAYATT (Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through e-Transactions), Womaniya for women entrepreneurs and Women Self-Help Groups, SARAS Collection for rural SHGs to showcase daily utility products, and Startup Runway 2.0 providing startups a dedicated marketplace. In June 2026, GeM partnered with CSC-SPV to establish 50 GeM Suvidha Kendras on a pilot basis across select States and Union Territories, offering awareness, registration, vendor assessment, catalogue creation, capacity building, and grievance redressal services to enhance participation of MSEs, women and SC/ST entrepreneurs, startups, artisans, weavers, SHGs, and local manufacturers.
Defense Procurement and Integration Efforts
The Department of Military Affairs has crossed ₹1.35 lakh crore in cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) as of 06 August 2026, with defense procurement contributing over 14.93% of GeM's cumulative GMV. The platform is integrating functionalities of the Indian Railway Electronic Procurement System (IREPS) and Defence Public Procurement Portal (DPPP) to create a unified public procurement ecosystem, alongside integration with the Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP) for single access to government tender information.
Policy Reforms and Future Direction
Recent reforms include Rate Contracts for recurring purchases and removal of Caution Money requirements for sellers, simplifying procurement processes. As GeM enters its 11th year, the focus shifts toward artificial intelligence and wider participation to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and governance, supporting India's Digital India, Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, and Ease of Doing Business initiatives.