GeM Crosses ₹18.4 Lakh Crore GMV, Boosts MSE & Women‑Led Participation in Public Procurement

The Government e Marketplace (GeM) has crossed a cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore, with FY 2025‑26 alone contributing over ₹5 lakh crore. Robust participation from MSEs, women‑led firms, SC/ST enterprises and start‑ups—driven by AI/ML‑enabled transparency—signals a more inclusive and efficient public‑procurement ecosystem, a key focus area for UPSC economics and governance studies.

Overview The GeM has recorded a cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore , surpassing the ₹5 lakh crore mark in FY 2025‑26. The platform is being positioned as a cornerstone of India’s digital public‑procurement ecosystem, aiming to make government spending more transparent, inclusive and technology‑driven. Key Developments (FY 2025‑26) 68% of total orders were placed by MSEs , contributing 47.1% of GMV . More than 11 lakh MSEs registered, receiving 51 lakh orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore – a >20% rise YoY. Women‑led MSEs (over 2.1 lakh) secured orders exceeding ₹28,000 crore , registering ~28% growth. SC/ST‑owned MSEs obtained orders worth > ₹6,000 crore , also a ~28% increase. Start‑ups earned orders of > ₹19,000 crore , marking >36% growth. State and Union Territory procurement grew by 38.3% , reflecting deeper regional penetration. Technology‑Driven Enhancements GeM leverages AI and ML to improve transparency and efficiency. Notable interventions include: ML‑based catalogue validation and pre‑sanity checks to curb data errors. Real‑time analytics for transaction monitoring, pricing anomalies, and collusive bidding detection. System‑generated Bid Health Scores that aid buyers in selecting trustworthy sellers. Important Facts at a Glance Cumulative GMV: ₹18.4 lakh crore. FY 2025‑26 GMV: >₹5 lakh crore. MSE participation: 68% of orders, 47.1% of GMV. Women‑led MSE orders: ₹28,000 crore (+28%). SC/ST MSE orders: >₹6,000 crore (+28%). Start‑up orders: >₹19,000 crore (+36%). State/UT procurement growth: 38.3% YoY. Key technology tools: AI, ML, real‑time analytics, Bid Health Scores. UPSC Relevance Understanding GeM is vital for GS III (Economy & Development) as it illustrates how digital platforms can enhance public‑sector efficiency, promote inclusive growth, and curb corruption. The platform’s focus on MSEs , women entrepreneurs, and SC/ST enterprises aligns with the government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” objectives. Moreover, the use of AI and ML showcases the role of technology in governance, a recurring theme in ethics and public administration questions. Way Forward To sustain momentum, GeM could: Integrate more granular sustainability metrics to promote green procurement. Expand capacity‑building programmes for MSEs, especially in Tier‑2/3 states, to bridge digital literacy gaps. Enhance interoperability with state‑level e‑procurement portals for seamless data exchange. Strengthen AI‑driven fraud‑prevention modules, ensuring privacy and data security. Continued adoption by CPSEs and state governments will further embed GeM as the backbone of India’s transparent public‑spending architecture.

<h2>Overview</h2> The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Government e Marketplace — an online platform launched by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry for transparent, efficient public procurement across central and state governments (GS3: Economy)">GeM has recorded a cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore, surpassing the ₹5 lakh crore mark in FY 2025‑26. The platform is being positioned as a cornerstone of India’s digital public‑procurement ecosystem, aiming to make government spending more transparent, inclusive and technology‑driven. <h3>Key Developments (FY 2025‑26)</h3> <ul> <li>68% of total orders were placed by MSEs, contributing 47.1% of GMV.</li> <li>More than 11 lakh MSEs registered, receiving 51 lakh orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore – a >20% rise YoY.</li> <li>Women‑led MSEs (over 2.1 lakh) secured orders exceeding ₹28,000 crore, registering ~28% growth.</li> <li>SC/ST‑owned MSEs obtained orders worth > ₹6,000 crore, also a ~28% increase.</li> <li>Start‑ups earned orders of > ₹19,000 crore, marking >36% growth.</li> <li>State and Union Territory procurement grew by 38.3%, reflecting deeper regional penetration.</li> </ul> <h3>Technology‑Driven Enhancements</h3> GeM leverages AI and ML to improve transparency and efficiency. Notable interventions include: <ul> <li>ML‑based catalogue validation and pre‑sanity checks to curb data errors.</li> <li>Real‑time analytics for transaction monitoring, pricing anomalies, and collusive bidding detection.</li> <li>System‑generated Bid Health Scores that aid buyers in selecting trustworthy sellers.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts at a Glance</h3> <ul> <li>Cumulative GMV: ₹18.4 lakh crore.</li> <li>FY 2025‑26 GMV: >₹5 lakh crore.</li> <li>MSE participation: 68% of orders, 47.1% of GMV.</li> <li>Women‑led MSE orders: ₹28,000 crore (+28%).</li> <li>SC/ST MSE orders: >₹6,000 crore (+28%).</li> <li>Start‑up orders: >₹19,000 crore (+36%).</li> <li>State/UT procurement growth: 38.3% YoY.</li> <li>Key technology tools: AI, ML, real‑time analytics, Bid Health Scores.</li> </ul> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> Understanding GeM is vital for GS III (Economy & Development) as it illustrates how digital platforms can enhance public‑sector efficiency, promote inclusive growth, and curb corruption. The platform’s focus on MSEs, women entrepreneurs, and SC/ST enterprises aligns with the government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” objectives. Moreover, the use of AI and ML showcases the role of technology in governance, a recurring theme in ethics and public administration questions. <h3>Way Forward</h3> To sustain momentum, GeM could: <ul> <li>Integrate more granular sustainability metrics to promote green procurement.</li> <li>Expand capacity‑building programmes for MSEs, especially in Tier‑2/3 states, to bridge digital literacy gaps.</li> <li>Enhance interoperability with state‑level e‑procurement portals for seamless data exchange.</li> <li>Strengthen AI‑driven fraud‑prevention modules, ensuring privacy and data security.</li> </ul> Continued adoption by CPSEs and state governments will further embed GeM as the backbone of India’s transparent public‑spending architecture.

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