How to Register on GeM Portal as a Seller in India

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is the single largest online procurement platform in India, facilitating purchases by central and state government departments, PSUs, autonomous bodies, and local government organisations. With over 70 lakh registered sellers and annual transactions exceeding 3 lakh crore rupees, GeM offers a massive market opportunity for businesses of all sizes to sell their products and services directly to the government.

This guide covers everything you need to know to register as a seller on the GeM portal, set up your product or service catalogue, participate in government bids, and fulfil orders successfully. Whether you are an MSME, a startup, a manufacturer, or a service provider, this step-by-step walkthrough will help you navigate the registration process and start selling on GeM in 2026.

What is the GeM Portal

GeM (Government e-Marketplace) was launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in August 2016 to create a transparent, efficient, and cashless procurement system for government buying. Before GeM, government procurement was largely manual, paper-based, and prone to delays and corruption.

Today, GeM is mandated for all government purchases under the General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017. All central government ministries, departments, and attached offices must procure common-use goods and services through GeM. State governments have also adopted GeM through state-level notifications.

Key Highlights of GeM

• Over 70 lakh registered sellers and service providers
• Over 15,000 government buyer organisations
• Annual transaction value exceeding 3 lakh crore rupees
• Over 10,000 product categories and 300+ service categories
• Transparent pricing with real-time comparison
• End-to-end digital procurement from search to payment
• Dedicated sections for MSMEs, Startups, and Women Entrepreneurs

Benefits of Selling on GeM

Registering on GeM gives your business access to the largest single buyer in India: the government. Here are the key benefits:

Eligibility for GeM Seller Registration

To register as a seller on GeM, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be an Indian business entity (foreign companies can sell through their Indian subsidiaries)
• You must have a valid PAN (entity PAN for companies/LLPs, individual PAN for proprietors)
• You must have an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification
• You must have a business bank account (current account in the entity name)
• GST registration is required if you sell taxable goods or services above the threshold limit
• Business registration proof (one of the following): Certificate of Incorporation, LLP Registration Certificate, Partnership Deed, Shop and Establishment License, or Udyam Certificate

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Before starting the registration process, gather the following documents in digital format (scanned copies or photographs):

• PAN card of the business entity (or individual PAN for proprietorships)
• Aadhaar card of the authorised signatory
• GST certificate (GSTIN printout from the GST portal)
• Business registration document: Certificate of Incorporation, Partnership Deed, Udyam Certificate, or Shop Act License
• Cancelled cheque or bank passbook first page showing account details
• MSME/Udyam certificate (if applicable, for availing MSME benefits)
• Product images (500x500 pixels minimum, white background, no watermarks)
• Brand authorisation letter (if selling branded products of other manufacturers)

Step 2: Register on the GeM Portal

1. Visit gem.gov.in and click on "Sign Up" and then "Seller"
2. Select your entity type (Proprietorship, Partnership, Private Limited, LLP, etc.)
3. Enter your PAN number and the system will validate it automatically
4. Enter the Aadhaar number of the authorised signatory and verify through OTP
5. Provide your email address and mobile number, then verify both through OTP
6. Create a username and strong password for your GeM account
7. Accept the GeM terms and conditions and submit the initial registration

Step 3: Complete Your Business Profile

After the initial registration, log in to your GeM seller dashboard and complete the business profile:

• Enter the registered business name (exactly as on the PAN card)
• Add registered address, state, city, and PIN code
• Select the nature of business (manufacturer, trader, service provider, or all)
• Upload business registration documents
• Upload GST certificate
• Enter bank account details (account number, IFSC, bank name, branch)
• Answer verification questions about your business

Step 4: Bank Account Verification

GeM verifies your bank account through a penny drop verification. A small amount (usually 1 rupee) is credited to your bank account, and you must confirm the amount on the portal. This step ensures that the bank account belongs to the registered entity. The verification typically completes within 1 to 2 working days.

Step 5: Create Your Product or Service Catalogue

This is the most important step for selling on GeM. Your catalogue is what government buyers see when searching for products or services.

For Products

1. Navigate to Catalogue Management in your seller dashboard
2. Search for your product category using keywords or the UNSPSC code
3. Select the specific product category (e.g., "Desktop Computer" under IT Equipment)
4. Fill in the product specification template provided by GeM for that category
5. Enter the product name, brand, model number, and technical specifications
6. Upload at least 3 high-quality product images (500x500 pixels, white background)
7. Enter the HSN code, price (inclusive of all charges except GST), and currency
8. Specify the warranty period, delivery timeline (in days), and return policy
9. Declare the Country of Origin and local content percentage
10. Submit the catalogue for review

For Services

1. Navigate to Service Catalogue in your dashboard
2. Select the service category (e.g., "IT Manpower Supply" or "Security Services")
3. Define the service scope, deliverables, and service level parameters
4. Enter pricing (per unit, per month, per hour, or lump sum as applicable)
5. Specify service availability, delivery locations, and terms
6. Upload relevant certifications and experience documents if required
7. Submit for review

Step 6: Start Receiving Orders and Participating in Bids

Once your catalogue is approved and live, you can start receiving orders through multiple channels:

Order Types on GeM

MSME and Startup Benefits on GeM

The government has implemented several policies to promote MSME and startup participation on GeM:

• 25 percent procurement reservation: At least 25 percent of annual government procurement must be from MSMEs (with 3 percent for women-owned MSMEs and 4 percent for SC/ST MSMEs)
• EMD exemption: MSMEs registered with NSIC or having Udyam Certificate are exempt from paying Earnest Money Deposit for bids
• Prior turnover relaxation: MSMEs and startups are exempt from prior turnover and experience requirements in bid eligibility criteria
• 21-day payment window: Government buyers must pay MSMEs within 45 days, failing which interest at 3 times the bank rate is payable under the MSMED Act
• Purchase preference: MSMEs get purchase preference if their price is within 15 percent of the L1 bid from a non-MSME seller

Order Fulfilment and Payment Process

1. Receive the order notification on your GeM dashboard, email, and SMS
2. Accept the order within the specified acceptance window (usually 5 days)
3. Prepare the goods, generate the GST invoice, and arrange shipping
4. Update the shipment details on the GeM portal with the tracking number
5. The buyer consignee inspects and accepts the delivery on the portal (CRAC process)
6. GeM generates the payment advice after buyer acceptance
7. Payment is credited to your bank account within 10 to 30 days through PFMS

Common Mistakes to Avoid on GeM

1. Incorrect product specifications: Ensure your catalogue exactly matches the GeM specification template for your category. Mismatched specs lead to catalogue rejection
2. Poor quality images: Low-resolution or stock images are rejected. Use actual product photographs on a white background at 500x500 pixels minimum
3. Overpricing: GeM monitors market rates. Products priced significantly above market rates are flagged and may be delisted
4. Late delivery: Government orders have strict delivery timelines. Late delivery results in liquidated damages (0.5 percent per week, up to 10 percent)
5. Not updating stock availability: If a product goes out of stock, update the catalogue immediately. Accepting orders and then cancelling due to stock issues damages your seller rating
6. Ignoring bid opportunities: Regularly check the bids section for opportunities in your category. Many sellers miss high-value bids simply because they do not monitor the dashboard

Conclusion

Registering on the GeM portal opens the door to the largest procurement market in India. With zero registration costs, transparent processes, and timely payments, GeM provides an excellent revenue channel for businesses of all sizes. MSMEs and startups especially benefit from the procurement reservations, EMD exemptions, and purchase preferences built into the system.

The key to success on GeM is maintaining competitive pricing, high-quality product listings with accurate specifications and professional images, consistent on-time delivery, and responsive customer service. A strong seller rating builds trust with government buyers and leads to repeat orders and bid wins.

If you need help setting up your business for GeM registration, including company registration, GST registration, and Udyam/MSME registration, our team at IncorpX can help you get all the prerequisites in place quickly.