GeM Boosts MSE Inclusion: Registered Units Rise to 11.9 Lakh; Procurement Reaches ₹8.69 Lakh Crore with 2.17 Crore Orders

GeM Drives Inclusive Growth: Women, Startup and SC/ST MSE Participation Surges with Strong Rise in Procurement

Over the past years, India’s governance ecosystem has witnessed a steady shift towards technology-driven, transparent and citizen-centric service delivery. Since its inception on 9 August 2016, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) has supported this transition by enabling efficient and more transparent public procurement, while facilitating broader participation of buyers and sellers and contributing to improved service delivery outcomes.

Conceived as a major governance reform, GeM has transitioned public procurement from a largely manual and fragmented process to a digital and data-driven system. By reducing human interface, improving transparency and simplifying access to government procurement opportunities, the platform has enabled wider participation across enterprises and geographies. It continues to serve as a significant initiative in the area of digital procurement.

GeM has also contributed to improving the Ease of Doing Business by opening government procurement markets to enterprises of all sizes. Through online onboarding, transparent bidding mechanisms, digital contract management and end-to-end procurement processes, the platform has reduced entry barriers and facilitated participation of businesses in government supply chains.

Inclusivity has remained a feature of the GeM platform. Participation of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) has increased, with registered MSEs rising from 2,396 in 2016–17 to over 11.9 lakh at present. Procurement from MSEs has grown from ₹69 crore to more than ₹8.69 lakh crore, while the number of orders has increased from 2,994 to over 2.17 crore during the same period.

The platform has also enabled participation of traditionally underrepresented groups. Women-owned MSEs on GeM have increased from 268 in 2016–17 to over 2.16 lakh, with procurement value rising from ₹8 crore to more than ₹93,327 crore. Startup participation has grown from 88 to over 40,000 entities, with procurement increasing from ₹2 crore to over ₹61,400 crore. Similarly, registered SC/ST MSEs have increased from 38 to over 66,000, with procurement value exceeding ₹21,800 crore. These developments reflect the widening participation in public procurement facilitated through the platform.

Beyond procurement, GeM has also supported public service delivery requirements, particularly in the health sector. The platform has facilitated procurement of over 324 crore vaccine doses and 199 crore syringes. It has also enabled procurement of medical kits for Vande Bharat trains, diagnostic equipment and a range of healthcare-related supplies and services.

Technology continues to play an important role in the evolution of GeM. The platform is leveraging artificial intelligence-based tools, advanced analytics, digital monitoring systems and transparent auction mechanisms to improve efficiency, accountability and user experience across procurement processes.

As India progresses towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, GeM remains focused on strengthening digital procurement systems through innovation, improved user experience and adoption of best practices. The platform continues to function as a digital marketplace supporting government institutions, businesses and entrepreneurs.

By connecting local enterprises with government demand, GeM contributes to broader national priorities, including Aatmanirbhar Bharat, by enabling participation of MSEs, startups, women entrepreneurs, cooperatives and rural enterprises in public procurement.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mihir Kumar, CEO, GeM, stated that over the past twelve years, GeM has contributed to building a transparent, efficient and inclusive public procurement ecosystem. He noted that the platform has enabled participation of enterprises, including MSEs, startups and local manufacturers, and has strengthened access to government procurement in a structured and transparent manner, supporting public service delivery and expanding economic opportunities.

GeM continues to function as a digital platform supporting procurement and service delivery across government institutions.

Digital public procurement on GeM expands transparency, inclusivity and access for enterprises, startups and small businesses. Government e Marketplace (GeM) functions as a digital public procurement platform that replaces manual, fragmented purchasing with a technology-driven system. It uses online onboarding, transparent bidding, digital contract management and end-to-end procurement processes to improve transparency, reduce human interface and widen participation by enterprises across geographies. Inclusivity is a central feature, with strong growth in participation by micro and small enterprises, women-owned enterprises, startups and SC/ST enterprises, alongside procurement support for public service delivery and healthcare supplies.