Step-by-step guides for seller registration, product & service listing, bid participation, order management, and payment — for government suppliers & buyers.
How-To Guides
GeM Portal Step-by-Step
Seller Registration — Step-by-Step Guide
01
Visit gem.gov.in
Click "Sign Up" → Select "Seller" → Choose entity type (Individual, Proprietorship, Partnership, Pvt Ltd, OPC, LLP, etc.)
02
Mobile & Aadhaar Verification
Enter mobile number → OTP verification. Individual sellers: Aadhaar OTP verification. Business entities: PAN of authorized signatory.
03
Basic Business Details
Enter PAN, GSTIN, business name, address, bank account (IFSC + account number). Bank account must match business PAN holder.
04
IT Return / Turnover Details
Enter annual turnover from last ITR. For new businesses without ITR: select "New Business" (turnover limit applies for certain bids).
05
Upload Documents
PAN card, GST certificate, cancelled cheque / bank statement, business registration certificate (if company/LLP), MSME/Udyam certificate (optional, for benefits).
06
OEM / Reseller / Service Provider
Select your role: OEM (manufacturer), Reseller (authorized distributor), Service Provider. OEM requires brand ownership proof.
07
Account Activation
GeM verifies documents within 2–5 working days. You receive seller ID (GEM-S-...). Login and complete your seller profile before listing products.
Pro Tip: MSME/Udyam registration gives you seller priority in GeM bids and exemption from certain financial eligibility conditions. Register Udyam before applying to GeM.
Buyer Registration — Step-by-Step Guide
01
Visit gem.gov.in
Click "Sign Up" → Select "Buyer" → Enter your organization name and type (Central Govt, State Govt, PSU, Autonomous Body, Local Body, etc.).
02
Nodal Officer Registration
First, a Nodal Officer must be registered using official government email ID. The Nodal Officer then creates buyer IDs for procurement officers.
03
OTP & Email Verification
Verify official email (gov.in / nic.in preferred) and mobile OTP. Personal email IDs are not accepted for buyer accounts.
04
Organization Details
Enter DDO code, ministry/department, budget head. Link to PFMS/State treasury system for payment integration.
05
Role Assignment
Assign roles: Buyer (raises demand), Consignee (receives goods), Drawing & Disbursing Officer (DDO). Each role has specific permissions.
06
Account Approval
State/Central controller approves buyer account. You receive buyer ID (GEM-B-...). Now you can search products, raise bids, and issue orders.
Pro Tip: For government departments not yet on GeM, contact your DDO or Ministry's GeM nodal officer to initiate onboarding. GeM purchase is mandatory for listed categories.
Product Listing — Step-by-Step Guide
01
Login as Seller → Catalogue Menu
Go to Dashboard → Catalogue → Add New Product. Search for your product category using HS code, product name, or keyword.
02
Select Product Category
Choose the correct GeM category (e.g., Laptops, Office Chairs, Stationery). Category determines the specification parameters you must fill.
03
Fill Product Specifications
Fill mandatory specs (brand, model, technical specs). For OEM: assert brand ownership. For reseller: link to OEM and upload authorization letter.
04
Pricing
Enter base price. GeM shows "Price Reasonableness" — your price must not exceed the market ceiling. You can offer quantity discounts in the pricing slab.
05
Upload Product Images
Upload clear product images (min 400×400px, white background preferred). At least 3 photos from different angles. No watermarks or text on images.
06
Delivery Terms
Set delivery timeline, delivery charges (zone-wise), and EMD/PBG details. Specify if delivery is pan-India or state-specific.
07
Submit for Approval
GeM reviews the listing within 2–7 days. Once approved, your product is visible to government buyers and can receive direct purchase orders.
Pro Tip: Keep your product catalogue updated. Outdated prices or unavailable products lead to negative ratings. Set up auto-price update if your prices change frequently.
Service Listing — Step-by-Step Guide
01
Go to Services Tab
Login → Catalogue → Add Service. Select from available service categories: IT Services, Consulting, Transportation, Printing, Housekeeping, Security, etc.
02
Service Category & Sub-category
Choose the appropriate service category. Each category has defined service parameters — fill all mandatory fields accurately.
03
Rate Card / Price
For services, upload a rate card (manpower, hourly, daily, monthly rates). State-wise or zone-wise pricing is supported.
04
Past Work Experience
Upload experience certificates, work orders, completion certificates for similar services. Minimum experience may be required for certain service categories.
05
Infrastructure & Manpower
Declare infrastructure (office locations, vehicles, equipment) and manpower available for the service. Provide GST invoices or contracts as proof.
06
Insurance & Compliance
For some services (security, housekeeping), upload ESI/PF registration, labour license, and liability insurance certificates.
07
Activation
Once approved, your service listing appears in the marketplace. Government buyers can directly award contracts or run bids for your service category.
Pro Tip: GeM Startup Runway is a special program for DPIIT-recognized startups — it offers single-source procurement up to ₹25 lakhs without competitive bidding. Register on DPIIT portal first.
Bid / RA Participation — Step-by-Step Guide
01
Find Active Bids
Login → Bids & RA → Search bids by category, product, ministry, state, or bid value. Filter by "Open Bids" and bidding end date.
02
Check Eligibility
Read bid document carefully — check turnover requirement, years of experience, MSME status, make-in-India criteria, EMD amount, and technical specifications.
03
Download Bid Document
Download and review the full bid document (Terms & Conditions, technical specs, delivery requirements, payment terms). Clarification period: raise queries within deadline.
04
EMD / Bid Security
Pay Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) online via GeM. MSMEs and Startups are often exempt from EMD. EMD is refunded to unsuccessful bidders.
05
Submit Technical Bid
Fill in technical details, upload documents (product brochure, test certificates, compliance certificates, experience docs). Submit before deadline.
06
Price / Financial Bid
In RA (Reverse Auction): start bidding when RA opens. Enter your price — each bid must be lower than the previous. Bid clock resets on new bids.
07
L1 Determination
GeM automatically identifies L1 (lowest bidder). If L1 declines, L2 gets the opportunity. After award, upload Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) if applicable.
Pro Tip: Set up GeM bid alerts for your product categories. Many sellers miss bids because they don't monitor the portal regularly. Use the notification settings on your dashboard.
Order Management — Step-by-Step Guide
01
Order Notification
When a buyer places a direct purchase order or awards a bid, you receive a notification on GeM + email + SMS. Login immediately to accept/reject.
02
Accept Order
Go to Orders → My Orders → Accept the order within the stipulated time (usually 4–24 hours). Rejection without reason impacts your seller rating.
03
Delivery & Consignee Acceptance
Deliver as per agreed timeline and address. The consignee (government official) inspects and accepts goods in the GeM portal. Upload shipment proof (LR copy, delivery challan).
04
Raise Invoice
Once consignee accepts, go to Orders → Raise Invoice. Enter GSTIN, invoice number, invoice date, and invoice amount. Upload GST invoice PDF.
05
Payment Processing
Payment is processed via PFMS/SPARROW after invoice acceptance by the buyer's DDO. Average payment time: 10–15 working days. Track in Orders → Payment Status.
06
Order Completion & Rating
After payment, the order is marked complete. Rate the buyer experience. Buyers also rate sellers — maintain 3.5+ star rating to stay in good standing.
Pro Tip: GeM payments are backed by government guarantee. If payment is delayed beyond 30 days from invoice acceptance, you can file a grievance through the GeM helpdesk.
Quick Reference
GeM Portal Key Features
| Feature | Who Can Use | Where to Find | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Purchase | Govt Buyers | GeM → Products/Services → Cart | Up to ₹25,000 single vendor; ₹25K–5L needs 3 quotes |
| Bid / Tender | Govt Buyers | GeM → Create Bid | Above ₹5 lakhs; min 3 bidders |
| Reverse Auction (RA) | Govt Buyers | GeM → RA → Create | For price-sensitive commodities; min 3 sellers |
| Custom Bid | Govt Buyers | GeM → Custom Bid | Specialized requirements not in standard catalogue |
| GeM POOL | Both | GeM → Marketplace → Pool | Aggregated demand-supply matching |
| Startup Runway | DPIIT Startups | GeM → Startup Seller | DPIIT recognition certificate required |
| MSE Corner | MSME Sellers | GeM → MSE Products | Udyam registration; 25% procurement reservation |
| GeM Analytics | Sellers | Dashboard → Reports | Login required; shows order trends, revenue |
Common Questions
GeM Portal FAQs
Is GeM registration free for sellers?
+Yes, seller registration on GeM is completely free. There is no fee to register or list products. However, GeM deducts a transaction fee (typically 0.5–2%) on completed orders.
Can a sole proprietor register as a GeM seller?
+Yes. Individual sellers and sole proprietors can register using Aadhaar OTP verification + PAN. You need a business bank account and GSTIN (if turnover exceeds threshold).
Is GST registration mandatory to sell on GeM?
+GST registration is required if your annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh for special category states). Below this threshold, you can register with PAN only.
How long does GeM seller account approval take?
+GeM typically verifies seller accounts within 2–5 working days. Document verification may take longer for company/LLP entities. Keep all documents ready in PDF format.
Can private companies sell on GeM?
+Yes. Private Limited Companies, LLPs, Partnerships, and Proprietorships can all register as sellers on GeM to supply goods and services to government departments.
What is EMD in GeM bids and who is exempt?
+EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) is a refundable security deposit to participate in bids. MSMEs registered under Udyam and DPIIT-recognized Startups are fully exempt from paying EMD.