Where every purchase finds a GeM: How India’s digital procurement platform is reshaping government buying
- IBEF
- August 10, 2026
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has evolved into a major pillar of India's public procurement ecosystem since its launch on August 9, 2016, replacing fragmented, paper-based procurement processes with a transparent, paperless and technology-enabled marketplace. The platform now connects more than 1.37 lakh government buyer organisations with nearly 25 lakh sellers and service providers and has facilitated cumulative procurement worth more than Rs. 20 lakh crore (US$ 210.03 billion). GeM currently offers more than 10,660 product categories and 350 service categories, covering requirements ranging from medical equipment and computers to transport, catering and human resource services.
GeM has also expanded participation among smaller businesses and underserved groups. During FY26, more than 11 lakh MSEs registered on the platform and executed over 51 lakh orders worth more than Rs. 2.36 lakh crore (US$ 24.78 billion), while more than 2.1 lakh women-led MSEs secured procurement worth over Rs. 28,000 crore (US$ 2.94 billion). Procurement from SC/ST enterprises exceeded Rs. 6,000 crore (US$ 630.03 million), while procurement from startups crossed Rs. 19,000 crore (US$ 1.99 billion) during the year. In June 2026, GeM also partnered with Common Service Centre e-Governance Services India Limited to establish 50 GeM Suvidha Kendras on a pilot basis to provide last-mile support to sellers. These initiatives, along with data-driven procurement tools, digital integrations and greater use of artificial intelligence, are expected to further improve transparency, efficiency, inclusiveness and ease of doing business in India's public procurement ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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