The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has recorded a cumulative Gross Merchandise Value of ₹18.4 lakh crore, with over ₹5 lakh crore of that coming in FY 2025–26 alone. The platform has become the central digital infrastructure for public procurement in India. It is the nexus through which all government buyers and sellers nationwide are connected. Its main objective is to push for transparency, efficiency and accountability in how public money is spent.
Inclusive procurement, by the numbers
GeM has meaningfully expanded participation from Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), women entrepreneurs, SC/ST enterprises and startups. In FY 2025–26, MSEs executed 68% of total orders and accounted for 47.1% of GMV. Over 11 lakh MSEs registered on the platform received more than 51 lakh orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore marking a growth of over 20% on the previous year.
Women-led enterprises have grown their footprint too. More than 2.1 lakh women-led MSEs received orders exceeding ₹28,000 crore, up nearly 28%. SC/ST MSEs secured orders worth over ₹6,000 crore, also up around 28%. Startups took orders worth more than ₹19,000 crore, recording growth of over 36%.
GeM operates by using AI, machine learning and advanced analytics to keep procurement clean and efficient. ML-based catalogue validation, pre-sanity checks and real-time transaction monitoring cut down on errors and flag anomalies. While, separate analytical systems watch for abnormal pricing, suspected collusive bidding and buyer-seller collusion. In addition tools like Bid Health Scores help procurement officers make better-informed calls.
After widespread adoption by central ministries, departments and CPSEs, state governments are now coming on board in larger numbers. State procurement on GeM grew 38.3% in FY 2025–26, which is indicative of the rising confidence in the platform.
Key takeaway: GeM has transformed itself into a serious public procurement platform by combining technology-driven transparency with broader economic participation. With the growing number of MSEs, women entrepreneurs, SC/ST enterprises, startups and state governments, procurement in India is headed towards a good future.
MCQ Questions
Question 1:
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is primarily associated with:
A. Agricultural marketing
B. Digital public procurement
C. Digital health services
D. Digital education services
Question 2:
What was the cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) recorded by GeM according to the article?
A. ₹5 lakh crore
B. ₹10 lakh crore
C. ₹18.4 lakh crore
D. ₹25 lakh crore
