The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is the Government of India's online procurement platform for buyers and sellers of goods and services. For a manufacturer, trader, reseller or service provider, registration can create access to a government procurement channel. It does not guarantee enquiries, bids, orders or revenue.
This guide explains the main seller journey and the preparation required. GeM periodically changes its screens, workflows, category rules and terms, so always follow the live instructions shown on the official portal.
1. Decide whether you are registering as a product seller or service provider
GeM supports sellers of goods and providers of services. Some businesses may offer both, but the category, evidence and catalogue requirements differ. Before registering, identify exactly what you intend to offer and whether it fits a GeM category or service requirement.
Do not register a business under an inaccurate category merely to complete the form. The product or service description, specifications, brand or authorisation, certifications and supporting documents must match what you can actually supply.
2. Identify the authorised primary seller
Use an authorised person who can represent the business and complete identity and organisation verification. The official GeM seller manual describes a primary seller registration flow and subsequent seller-desk profile completion. It also describes role-based secondary users for activities such as catalogue management, bid participation and order fulfilment.
Prepare the organisation's correct legal name, constitution, PAN details, registration information and authorised-person details. Depending on the entity type and the current portal workflow, additional verification information may be requested.
3. Prepare your information before starting
Keep the following information organised. This is a preparation checklist, not a guarantee that every item is required for every seller or every category.
- Aadhaar or other identity information accepted by the current registration workflow
- Personal PAN and organisation PAN, as applicable to the entity type
- Business constitution and incorporation or registration details
- Registered address, contact number and active email address
- Bank account and IFSC details for business payments
- GST details where applicable to the business and transaction
- CIN or other entity-specific identifiers, where relevant
- ITR information or other financial details if requested for bid or reverse-auction participation
- Udyam or other status documents if you intend to claim an eligible MSE-related benefit
- Product specifications, brand ownership or authorisation, certifications and catalogue images
GeM's official seller pre-requisites PDF is dated 29 June 2020. Treat it as a historical preparation reference only, not as a definitive 2026 checklist. The live portal's current workflow and applicable terms take precedence.
4. Register through the official GeM portal
- Open the official GeM website.
- Choose the seller or service-provider registration route shown on the live portal.
- Enter the authorised person's identity details and select the correct organisation constitution.
- Complete the verification steps shown by the portal.
- Create and activate the account using the current email or mobile verification process.
- Sign in and complete the seller profile and organisation details.
- Review the current General Terms and Conditions and any category-specific conditions before offering goods or services.
Do not share OTPs, passwords or signing credentials with agents. Keep the primary account under the control of the business and assign secondary users only with appropriate roles.
5. Complete the seller profile carefully
Registration is only the starting point. Complete the profile fields that apply to your entity, including addresses, business details, tax and financial information, bank details, manufacturing or warehouse details, and other supporting records requested by the portal.
Make sure the legal name, PAN, GST information, bank account and address details are consistent across records. Mismatches can create verification or payment issues later.
6. Create an accurate product or service catalogue
For goods, choose the closest valid category and fill in the required specifications. The official seller manual describes category selection, mandatory category parameters, product details, quantity and price, delivery terms, stock and image upload as parts of the catalogue workflow. The exact fields differ by category and can change.
For services, read the current service category scope, qualification requirements, service-level obligations and bid-specific conditions. Do not copy a goods catalogue approach into a service listing.
Before publishing, check:
- Product or service name and category are accurate.
- Technical specifications match the actual item.
- Brand and authorisation details are supported by evidence.
- Images are genuine and correspond to the offered product.
- Price, tax treatment, quantity, delivery location and lead time are correct.
- Warranty, support, certifications and exclusions are stated accurately.
Items may be subject to platform review or sanitisation. Uploading a catalogue item does not mean it is automatically approved or available for purchase.
7. Understand bids, reverse auctions and direct procurement
Once your profile and catalogue are ready, study the procurement opportunities relevant to your offering. Read the complete bid document, technical specifications, eligibility conditions, delivery location, performance requirements, payment terms, EMD or other conditions if any, and the required response format.
Do not bid simply because the estimated value looks attractive. Calculate the full cost of supply, packaging, freight, installation, service support, taxes, financing and possible delay. Check whether your business can meet the delivery and quality obligations.
8. Fulfil orders and manage payment documentation
After receiving an order, verify the contract, item, quantity, consignee, delivery schedule, inspection or acceptance requirements and invoicing instructions. Maintain dispatch evidence, delivery records and all communications. Follow the live GeM workflow for shipment, invoice submission and order-status tracking.
Build the cost of delayed acceptance or payment into your working-capital plan. Government procurement can involve formal documentation and process steps; do not treat an order as cash received.
9. Common mistakes that reduce a seller's chances
- Using an unauthorised person to control the primary account.
- Entering inconsistent PAN, GST, bank or legal-entity information.
- Selecting a broad or incorrect category.
- Uploading catalogue details that do not match the actual product.
- Ignoring category-specific certifications or bid eligibility.
- Quoting without calculating delivery, service and working-capital costs.
- Assuming registration automatically produces government orders.
10. Use official training and current help resources
GeM's official Seller Journey training area lists learning modules covering registration and account management, catalogue management, bid and reverse-auction participation, order fulfilment and other seller activities. Use these resources alongside the current portal and terms.
Useful official links:
- GeM portal
- GeM Seller User Manual
- GeM seller registration pre-requisites PDF (last updated 29 June 2020)
- GeM General Terms and Conditions document
GeM learning resource
LyWire's GeM Government e-Marketplace guide is a learning resource for sellers who want to understand the platform and procurement workflow. Review the product description to confirm its scope and edition before purchase. Always verify current registration and bid requirements on GeM itself.
Frequently asked questions
Does GeM registration guarantee government orders?
No. Registration enables access to the platform subject to verification and category rules. Orders depend on procurement demand, competition, eligibility, pricing, evaluation and buyer decisions.
Can a small business sell on GeM?
Businesses may register if they meet the platform's current seller requirements and the relevant category conditions. MSE status does not remove the need to meet bid and product requirements.
Can one account manage multiple employees?
The official seller manual describes secondary seller users and role assignment. Use the current portal's access-control workflow and give each user only the permissions needed for their work.
Are the old registration PDF and seller manual guaranteed to match the current portal?
No. The pre-requisites PDF is dated 29 June 2020 and the seller manual may not reflect every current screen or rule. Check the live portal and current terms before submitting information or bidding.
Information checked: 12 November 2026. Platform screens, terms, category rules and seller requirements may change. The live GeM portal and latest official notifications take precedence.