1. Register as a seller on GeM
Registration on gem.gov.in is free. You need your PAN, Aadhaar-linked mobile of the authorised person, GSTIN (if registered) and bank account details. Complete the vendor profile fully — incomplete profiles cannot bid.
2. List your products or services in the right category
A bid is open only to sellers who offer the matching GeM category. Pick categories carefully: a tender for "Manpower Outsourcing Services – Minimum Wage" is a different category from "Manpower Outsourcing – Fixed Remuneration".
3. Find bids that match you
Search by category, state, ministry or keyword, and set alerts so new bids reach you the day they are published. Most bids stay open for only 10–21 days.
4. Read the bid document before anything else
- ✓Minimum average annual turnover and years of past experience
- ✓Whether MSE / startup sellers are exempted from turnover and experience
- ✓EMD amount and exemption, ePBG percentage
- ✓Documents you must upload (certificates, OEM authorisation, past orders)
- ✓Delivery period, consignee locations and inspection
5. Prepare documents and submit
Upload every document the bid asks for, in the format it asks for. A technically good bid is rejected if one required certificate is missing. Submit before the end date and time — GeM does not accept late bids.
6. Technical evaluation, then price
The buyer first checks eligibility and documents. Only technically qualified bids have their price opened. If reverse auction (RA) is enabled, qualified sellers then compete on price in the RA.
7. After the price: L1, contract and ePBG
If your offer is the lowest (L1) after evaluation, and after the RA if one was held, the buyer can place the contract on you through GeM. Read the contract carefully: it repeats the delivery period, consignee details and any performance security (ePBG) you must submit within the time the bid allows. Missing that deadline can lead to the contract being cancelled and other action under GeM terms, so speak to your bank about the guarantee as soon as you know you are L1.
Common mistakes first-time bidders make
- ✓Bidding from a category that is close to, but not the same as, the one in the bid
- ✓Claiming MSE or startup exemption without uploading the certificate, or with a certificate that does not cover the item
- ✓Uploading an expired certificate, or an OEM authorisation that names a different bid or product
- ✓Quoting a price that leaves no room for freight to consignee locations, ePBG charges or a reverse auction
- ✓Not reading the ATC (additional terms and conditions), which often adds documents beyond the standard list
- ✓Leaving submission to the last hour, when signing or upload problems cannot be fixed in time
A simple daily routine that works
Spend a few minutes every morning on new bids in your categories. Shortlist only those where you meet the turnover, experience and document requirements, and download the bid document for each shortlisted bid the same day so you have the full bid period to prepare.
Keep a folder of standard documents ready so each bid only needs its bid-specific items, such as OEM authorisation or signed declarations. Mitra's daily WhatsApp and email alerts bring matching new GeM bids to you with the EMD, MSE exemption and reverse auction details already pulled out, which makes the shortlist quicker.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a digital signature (DSC) to bid on GeM?
GeM uses Aadhaar-based eSign or other signing options offered on the portal for bid submission. Check the signing options available in your seller account before your first bid so that submission is not held up on the last day.
How do I know whether I am eligible for a GeM bid?
Read the eligibility section of the bid document: turnover, experience, past performance, certificates and any MSE or startup exemption. Mitra also runs an eligibility check against your company profile for every tender.
Can I bid in a category I have not listed?
No. A bid is open only to sellers offering its exact category, so add the category and an active catalogue before the bid end date.
What is the ATC in a GeM bid?
ATC means the additional terms and conditions the buyer attaches to a bid. They can add eligibility conditions, documents, inspection or payment terms on top of GeM's standard terms, so read them as carefully as the main bid document. If something in the ATC is unclear, use the query or clarification option the bid offers before the deadline.
Related guides
Rules change. Always confirm the details in the bid document and on gem.gov.in before you bid. · Updated 2026-11-02
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