GeM in FY 2025-26: What the Latest Numbers Mean for Sellers, and Why Bids Still Fail Before Price Latest GeM data for FY 2025-26: ₹18.4 lakh crore total GMV, 68% of orders to MSEs, and how to avoid technical rejection. Expert checklist inside. Data below is from official releases and news reports published April to August 2026. Check the live figures on gem.gov.in before you quote them to a client. The big picture On 6 April 2026 the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that GeM's cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) since 2016 had reached ₹18.4 lakh crore , with more than ₹5 lakh crore transacted in FY 2025-26 alone. A report by Business Standard put FY26 at about 75.7 lakh orders. One detail most posts skip: the FY26 total was ₹5.03 lakh crore, about 7.4% lower than ₹5.43 lakh crore in FY25 . The official statement attributed the dip mainly to smaller order values from central public sector enterprises (CPSEs). So the market did not grow in value this ...
GeM in FY 2025-26: What the Latest Numbers Mean for Sellers, and Why Bids Still Fail Before Price
Latest GeM data for FY 2025-26: ₹18.4 lakh crore total GMV, 68% of orders to MSEs, and how to avoid technical rejection. Expert checklist inside.
Data below is from official releases and news reports published April to August 2026. Check the live figures on gem.gov.in before you quote them to a client.
The big picture
On 6 April 2026 the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that GeM's cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) since 2016 had reached ₹18.4 lakh crore, with more than ₹5 lakh crore transacted in FY 2025-26 alone. A report by Business Standard put FY26 at about 75.7 lakh orders.
One detail most posts skip: the FY26 total was ₹5.03 lakh crore, about 7.4% lower than ₹5.43 lakh crore in FY25. The official statement attributed the dip mainly to smaller order values from central public sector enterprises (CPSEs). So the market did not grow in value this year, but it did get more MSE-friendly.
Where MSEs stand
| Measure (FY 2025-26) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Share of total orders executed by MSEs | 68% |
| Share of total GMV going to MSEs | 47.1% |
| Registered MSEs | 11 lakh+ |
| Orders received by MSEs | 51 lakh+ worth ₹2.36 lakh crore (up 20%+) |
| Women-led MSEs registered | 2.1 lakh+, orders above ₹28,000 crore (up about 28%) |
| SC/ST MSE orders | above ₹6,000 crore (up about 28%) |
| Startup orders | above ₹19,000 crore (up 36%+) |
Women-led enterprises under the Womaniya initiative took about 5.6% of GeM's total orders, well above the 3% procurement target. MSMEs also made up about 73% of active sellers, according to Business Standard.
What this means for you: the policy preference for MSEs is real. MSE sellers with a valid Udyam certificate can claim an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) exemption when they bid, and the L1+15% purchase preference lets eligible MSEs match the lowest price and still be considered. But you only get these benefits if your bid first passes the technical check.
Know which buying route you are competing in
The January 2026 compilation of the General Financial Rules (GFR 2017, Rule 149) keeps GeM mandatory for goods and services available on it. The usual routes by order value are:
- Up to ₹50,000: buyer can purchase from any available GeM supplier that meets quality, specification and delivery needs.
- Above ₹50,000 up to ₹10 lakh: buyer picks the lowest-priced suitable offer among at least three different manufacturers or service providers.
- Above ₹10 lakh: online bidding or reverse auction on GeM.
Special limits can apply to some scientific and research institutions, and each bid's own terms always control. Read the bid's terms and conditions before you apply the table above. (Source is a secondary summary of the GFR; confirm against the official GFR text.)
Why bids fail before the price is opened
Across consultant guides and buyer tender documents published in 2026, the same causes keep appearing:
- A required document is missing. One missing file can make the whole bid non-responsive.
- Details do not match. Business name, PAN, GST and Udyam details must be identical across your profile and your uploads.
- Specifications are off. Many buyer bid conditions state that an unexplained mismatch between the data sheet and the offered product can lead to rejection.
- OEM authorisation is incomplete. When a dealer or distributor bids, the Manufacturer Authorisation Form (MAF) usually has to carry the OEM's name, designation, address, email and phone.
- Certificates are expired or unclear.
- Blurry or wrongly named files.
- False or altered documents. This can lead to suspension from GeM or blacklisting, so never take the risk.
Your safety net: the 48-hour representation
Under GeM's standard bid process, a seller whose technical bid is disqualified can file one representation within 48 hours after technical evaluation is completed. The buyer must respond before financial bids are opened. This is an existing mechanism, not a new rule, but many sellers do not use it. Keep your documents ready so you can reply the same day.
Two 2026 developments worth watching
- OEM authorisation scrutiny. The Competition Commission of India's order in the HP India matter looked at how control over authorisation documents can be used to influence who is eligible to bid. If you are a reseller, keep proof of your authorisation and your communication trail.
- Portal disruptions. On 5 August 2026 the Delhi High Court dealt with petitions over four NTPC coal tenders where a bidder said it could not submit because of an acknowledged GeM technical disruption. Lesson: if the portal fails near a deadline, take screenshots, note the time and raise a support ticket straight away.
Pre-submission checklist (print this)
| Check | Done |
|---|---|
| Specification matches the bid line by line, data sheet attached | ☐ |
| All certificates valid on the bid closing date | ☐ |
| MAF / OEM authorisation attached with full OEM details | ☐ |
| PAN, GST, Udyam and business name identical everywhere | ☐ |
| Every file clear, correctly named and opens properly | ☐ |
| Price sheet and GST rate checked | ☐ |
| Number of competing sellers and OEM restrictions reviewed | ☐ |
| Representation documents ready in case of rejection | ☐ |
Plan before the year-end rush
The financial year ends on 31 March, and government departments often place more orders in the final months. Registration, catalogue approval and vendor assessment take time, so sellers who finish them in November and December are ready when orders arrive.
FAQ
Is price the main reason I lose GeM bids? Often not. Many bids are rejected at the technical stage, and in that case the price is never considered.
Can I challenge a technical rejection? Yes. Use the one-time representation within 48 hours of technical evaluation, with supporting documents.
Do MSEs pay EMD on GeM? Eligible MSEs registered on Udyam can claim exemption by selecting the option and uploading the Udyam certificate during bid submission.
Need help with your next bid?
I help sellers with GeM registration, catalogue upload, OEM panel and vendor assessment, bid documentation and L1 comparison.
Sandeep Rana | Sr. GeM / E-Tender Manager & BDM 📞 Call/WhatsApp: 7500674435 ✉️ dsrendorse@gmail.com | eportalconsultancy@gmail.com
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