GeM Seller Registration: Process and Documents Required

GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is an online portal for procurement of goods and services by various government departments/organisations/ministries from registered sellers.

Businesses that supply products or offering services to government organisations have the option of registering themselves as sellers on GeM and getting involved in the government procurement network. GeM offers a web platform for sellers to register, create catalogues, place bids/orders and carry out other procurement functions.

This paper highlights the GeM Seller Registration process, eligibility criteria, necessary documents, costs and other information sellers need to know before registration.

Table of Contents

What is GeM Seller Registration?

GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is a government procurement portal which aims at facilitating the buying of goods and services by the government electronically.

GeM seller registration helps qualified businesses and organizations register as sellers on the portal by supplying all details about their business, listing products/services and engaging in the procurement process.

The official GeM seller registration document says that there are no charges involved in the registration process.

Once registered, the sellers can handle their catalogues and engage in the procurement process from their GeM account.

Who Can Register as a GeM Seller?

Different types of business entities can register on GeM, subject to the applicable requirements and verification.

These may include:

Proprietorship firms
Partnership firms
LLPs
Private Limited Companies
Public Limited Companies
Trusts
Societies
Associations
Government entities
Other eligible organisations

The GeM seller registration process requires the applicant to select the appropriate organisation/constitution type during registration.

Types of Sellers on GeM

A business may register on GeM depending on whether it intends to sell products, services or both.

A. Product Seller

A product seller can list eligible goods on the GeM platform according to the applicable catalogue and product categories.

B. Service Provider

Businesses providing eligible services can register as service providers and offer their services through applicable GeM categories.

C. Product and Service Seller

Businesses dealing in both products and services may register for both categories where permitted.

The GeM seller manual specifically provides for selection of the registration type as Product Seller, Service Provider or both.

Documents Required for GeM Seller Registration

The exact information and documents can vary depending on the organisation type and the activities of the seller.

Common requirements include:

Basic Information

Aadhaar details of the authorised person
Personal PAN, where applicable
Mobile number
Active email ID
Business/organisation type
Business PAN
Date of incorporation/registration
Business address

For Private/Public Limited Companies

Additional information may include:

Company PAN
CIN
Company incorporation details
Director/authorised person’s details
Relevant ITR information

For Partnership/LLP Firms

The registration may require:

Firm/LLP PAN
Firm/LLP registration details
Details of authorised person
Relevant ITR information
Other applicable business information

Financial and Tax Information

Depending upon the intended activities and participation, the seller may need information relating to:

Income Tax Return
ITR acknowledgement
GST details, where applicable
Bank account details
Turnover
Previous experience/performance

GeM Seller Registration Process

The GeM seller registration process can broadly be completed through the following steps.

Step 1: Visit the GeM Portal

The seller should access the official Government e-Marketplace portal and initiate the seller registration process.

GeM’s official registration material provides a seller registration route through its registration page.

Step 2: Create User ID and Password

The applicant needs to provide the required Aadhaar/PAN details, mobile number and email ID to begin the registration process.

The authorised person should ensure that the information provided is accurate and matches the relevant government records.

Step 3: Select Organisation Type

The seller selects the appropriate constitution, such as:

Proprietorship
Firm
Company
Trust/Society/Association
Government Entity

The available options depend upon the registration flow and applicable organisation category.

Step 4: Complete Business Verification

GeM verifies relevant information through government databases.

For companies, CIN and company information may be verified through MCA21.

Step 5: Complete Seller Profile

After creating the account, the seller needs to complete its profile.

The profile may include:

Office address
Contact details
Bank account details
Business information
Experience
Tax information
Other applicable details

Step 6: Select Seller Type

Select whether the business intends to register as:

Product Seller
Service Provider
Both

Step 7: Add Catalogue

After registration, the seller can add the products or services it wants to offer through the applicable catalogue options.

GeM’s official registration guide describes the process as creating the account, updating the seller profile and then adding products/services through the Catalogue section.

Step 8: Participate in Procurement

Once eligible products/services have been listed, sellers may participate in applicable government procurement opportunities, including bids and other procurement mechanisms available on GeM.

GeM’s current seller training programme includes separate modules covering registration and account management, catalogue management, Bid and RA participation and order fulfilment.

How to Add Products and Services on GeM

Registration alone does not mean that a business’s products or services are automatically available for government procurement.

After registration, the seller should:

Select the relevant product/service category.
Enter the required product or service specifications.
Provide pricing and other applicable details.
Upload or provide information required by the relevant catalogue.
Ensure that the product/service description is accurate.
Complete the applicable catalogue process.

It is the duty of the sellers to provide accurate information about their products/services. Under GeM’s General Terms and Conditions, the duty of providing the correct information about the products/services is the duty of the seller.

GeM Registration Fees

One important point for new sellers is that GeM seller registration itself is free.

GeM’s official seller-registration material specifically states that there is zero registration fee for registering as a seller.

However, sellers should distinguish between:

GeM registration
Catalogue/product listing
Participation in bids
Other applicable transaction or platform-related charges, if any
Professional consultancy charges, where a consultant is engaged

Therefore, a third-party consultant may charge professional fees for assisting with registration and compliance, but such fees should not be represented as mandatory GeM registration fees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is GeM registration mandatory for every business?

No. GeM registration is generally relevant for businesses that want to sell eligible products or services to government buyers through the GeM platform.

2. Is GeM Seller Registration free?

Yes. GeM’s official seller registration material states that seller registration is provided without a registration fee.

3. Can an LLP register on GeM?

Yes. LLPs fall under the firm category in the GeM seller registration process, subject to the applicable requirements.

4. Can a Private Limited Company register on GeM?

Yes. Private Limited Companies can register as sellers, subject to verification and applicable requirements. Company information such as CIN may be verified through MCA21.

5. Can a proprietor register on GeM?

Yes. Proprietorship businesses can register, subject to the applicable registration requirements. GeM requires the proprietor’s relevant PAN and identity details for verification.

6. Can I sell services on GeM?

Yes. GeM provides registration options for Service Providers, in addition to product sellers.

7. Can I sell both products and services on GeM?

Yes, where permitted, a seller can register for both products and services.

8. Is GST registration required for GeM?

GST requirements depend on the nature of the business, goods/services and applicable tax provisions. Sellers should determine their GST obligations separately rather than assuming that GeM registration itself creates a universal GST registration requirement.

9. Is ITR required for GeM registration?

ITR information may be required depending on the seller and intended activities. GeM states that verified ITR details are mandatory for participating in Bid/RA for applicable entities, subject to specified exceptions.

10. Can a new company register on GeM?

Yes. A newly incorporated company can register subject to the applicable verification and registration requirements. GeM’s prerequisites specifically recognise entities incorporated less than 24 months ago for purposes of the ITR requirement applicable to Bid/RA participation.

Conclusion

GeM Seller Registration provides businesses with access to the Government e-Marketplace for offering eligible products and services to government buyers. The registration process involves identity and business verification, completion of the seller profile, addition of products/services and compliance with applicable GeM requirements.

Before registering, businesses should keep their PAN, Aadhaar details, incorporation documents, bank details, tax information, ITR details and product/service information ready. It is equally important to ensure that information provided on GeM matches the relevant government databases.

For businesses planning to actively participate in government procurement, GeM registration should be treated as the first step, followed by proper catalogue management, bid participation and ongoing compliance.