Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: News on Air
Context: Over 1 million manpower resources were hired through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) in FY 2024–25, marking a major milestone in digital public procurement.
About Government e-Marketplace (GeM):
• What is GeM? Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a paperless, cashless, and contactless online procurement platform used by Government Departments, PSUs, and ministries to acquire goods and services transparently and efficiently.
• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a paperless, cashless, and contactless online procurement platform used by Government Departments, PSUs, and ministries to acquire goods and services transparently and efficiently.
• Launched in: 2016
• Under Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Developed by: Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals (DGS&D) with support from National e-Governance Division (MeitY)
• Legal Mandate: Authorized under Rule 149 of General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017
• Governing Notification: Included under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961
• Core Objectives:
• Enhance transparency and efficiency in public procurement. Speed up procurement cycles using digital tools. Achieve value for money through competitive bidding. Promote ease of doing business with simplified, system-driven transactions.
• Enhance transparency and efficiency in public procurement.
• Speed up procurement cycles using digital tools.
• Achieve value for money through competitive bidding.
• Promote ease of doing business with simplified, system-driven transactions.
• Key Features of GeM: Comprehensive Digital Platform:
• Comprehensive Digital Platform:
• Offers over 33,000 services including manpower hiring. Functions as a one-stop procurement portal for government bodies.
• Offers over 33,000 services including manpower hiring. Functions as a one-stop procurement portal for government bodies.
• Offers over 33,000 services including manpower hiring.
• Functions as a one-stop procurement portal for government bodies.
• E-Procurement Tools:
• E-bidding, reverse auctions, and demand aggregation to ensure competitive pricing. Reduces human interface, minimizing corruption and delays.
• E-bidding, reverse auctions, and demand aggregation to ensure competitive pricing. Reduces human interface, minimizing corruption and delays.
• E-bidding, reverse auctions, and demand aggregation to ensure competitive pricing.
• Reduces human interface, minimizing corruption and delays.
• Inclusive and Diverse Vendor Base: Empowers MSMEs, startups, SHGs, women entrepreneurs, and tribal artisans via dedicated storefronts.
• Innovation and Customization:
• Bamboo Market Window launched in collaboration with National Bamboo Mission. Country of Origin tag mandatory to promote Make in India.
• Bamboo Market Window launched in collaboration with National Bamboo Mission. Country of Origin tag mandatory to promote Make in India.
• Bamboo Market Window launched in collaboration with National Bamboo Mission.
• Country of Origin tag mandatory to promote Make in India.
• Labour Compliance & Service Level Agreements: Especially for manpower outsourcing services, ensures strict compliance through SLAs, promoting fair labour practices.