GeM India Government e- Marketplace has made a giant stride towards globalization. As GeM recently opened its doors to global bidders and sellers, this has been a huge change in the Indian system of public procurement. This step is meant to introduce quality, competition and transparency to government purchasing across the world. In Tender 18, we discuss what the development implies on the business, how international participation will be carried out and how it is able to transform procurement world in India.
Speak with a GeM Expert Today – Call +91 7069661818 for Complete End-to-End Support |
|---|
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is an online procurement platform, which was introduced by the Government of India in 2016, as a part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is a digital marketplace that provides one-stop shopping of government departments, government undertakings (PSUs), and other agencies to purchase goods and services directly with the registered vendors.
There has been a revolution over the years in the procurement system of the government in that GeM has transformed the process of procurement which was a manual system with time-consuming processes to a system that is efficient, paperless, and transparent. GeM offers stationery to high-value infrastructure projects, and nearly all types of products and services can be found there.
In 2025, it was officially announced by the Government of India that the GeM portal will henceforth enable international sellers and bidders to take part in the Indian tenders and procurement opportunities. This step is meant to turn GeM into a global procurement platform and welcome suppliers all around the world to provide quality products and services to the Indian government purchasers.
Until now, GeM was limited to Indian vendors — MSMEs, startups, and established companies. But with this global integration, foreign suppliers can now register, bid, and supply directly to various ministries and government bodies.
Here are the major features of GeM’s internationalization:
International sellers can now register on the GeM platform and list their products and services for sale. The registration process has been simplified with online verification and documentation.
The platform is introducing multi-currency payment options, enabling transactions in global currencies. This will make it easier for foreign bidders to quote and receive payments securely.
The GeM platform is aligning its procurement norms with global standards, ensuring fair competition and transparency for all bidders.
By opening the doors to international participants, the government aims to improve the quality and technological standards of products procured through GeM.
The inclusion of global sellers is not meant to overshadow Indian suppliers. Instead, it is designed to foster collaboration and joint ventures between domestic MSMEs and global players.
Allowing global participation introduces healthy competition, which will help drive prices down and increase value for taxpayers’ money. Indian buyers can now access a wider range of products and technologies from international markets.
Global vendors often bring cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Their participation can help modernize India’s procurement ecosystem and enhance the quality of infrastructure, defense equipment, healthcare devices, and more.
By opening GeM to international sellers, India is also strengthening its trade diplomacy. The platform can act as a digital bridge, promoting economic cooperation between countries.
Indian government departments and PSUs can now engage directly with international manufacturers, giving them global visibility and access to the latest market trends.
This initiative supports India’s mission to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). It simplifies cross-border procurement and ensures that the procurement process remains transparent, efficient, and accountable.
Here’s a quick overview of how the new participation model for global sellers works:
International vendors can visit the GeM portal (https://gem.gov.in) and complete the registration process. They will be required to provide:
Once registered, sellers can list their offerings under suitable categories. Each product or service must comply with Indian standards, or the equivalent global standards as approved by the government.
After listing, international sellers can participate in tenders, bids, and reverse auctions floated by Indian government entities.
Successful bidders must ensure timely delivery, quality compliance, and after-sales support as per contract terms. Payment settlements will be facilitated through secure banking channels.
While the entry of global players increases competition, it also offers tremendous opportunities for Indian companies:
Collaborations and Partnerships: Indian MSMEs can form partnerships or distribution agreements with global brands to enhance their offerings.
At Tender 18, we believe this shift will encourage Indian suppliers to improve quality, pricing, and global competitiveness, aligning with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
The Government of India’s vision for globalizing GeM aligns with three major objectives:
This vision supports the Digital India initiative and aims to make GeM a world-class procurement platform recognized internationally.
While this move is groundbreaking, it comes with certain challenges:
However, with proper policy measures and fair evaluation frameworks, these challenges can be effectively managed.
The globalization of GeM is expected to set a new benchmark in public procurement not just for India but for other developing nations. In the coming years, the platform may include features like:
As India continues to strengthen its position in the global economy, GeM’s international outreach could transform it into one of the world’s largest and most trusted public procurement ecosystems.
The GeM Goes global programme is a historic one in the digital governance and trade relations between India and other countries. India by opening the market to foreign bidders is sending a message to the world that it is ready to be transparent, competitive and innovative in the way it procures products. This is a good move which benefits both the Indians and foreign stakeholders at Tender 18. It has led to a playing field where quality, innovativeness and efficiency are placed at the center of focus which eventually assist India to establish stronger, smarter and efficient government procurement systems.
