GeM crosses ₹8.69 lakh crore in MSE orders as registrations hit 11.9 lakh
Synopsis
GeM has quietly become one of India's most consequential digital reforms — turning a ₹69 crore trickle of MSE orders in 2016–17 into a ₹8.69 lakh crore torrent. With 11.9 lakh MSEs, 40,000 startups, and 66,000 SC/ST firms now on the platform, the numbers suggest a structural shift in who gets to supply to the Indian government.
Key Takeaways
GeM has facilitated over ₹8.69 lakh crore in procurement from MSEs, up from ₹69 crore in 2016–17 .
MSE registrations on the platform have grown from 2,396 to over 11.9 lakh ; orders from 2,994 to over 2.17 crore .
Women-owned MSEs have increased from 268 to over 2.16 lakh , with procurement exceeding ₹93,327 crore .
Startup entities on GeM have grown from 88 to over 40,000 , with procurement crossing ₹61,400 crore .
Registered SC/ST MSEs have risen from 38 to over 66,000 , with procurement value exceeding ₹21,800 crore .
The platform has facilitated procurement of over 324 crore vaccine doses and 199 crore syringes .
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has facilitated procurement worth more than ₹8.69 lakh crore from micro and small enterprises (MSEs) since its inception, with MSE registrations on the platform rising from just 2,396 in 2016–17 to over 11.9 lakh at present, according to a statement issued by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday, 9 June. The number of orders placed with MSEs has grown from 2,994 to over 2.17 crore during the same period.
Scale of Growth in Public Procurement
The figures mark a dramatic expansion of GeM's footprint in government supply chains. Procurement from MSEs has surged from a modest ₹69 crore to more than ₹8.69 lakh crore — a growth trajectory that the ministry attributed to the platform's digital onboarding, transparent bidding mechanisms, and reduced human interface in the procurement process. This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to shift public procurement from fragmented, manual systems to a unified digital architecture.
Inclusion of Women, Startups, and SC/ST Enterprises
GeM's expansion has notably benefited traditionally under-represented groups. Women-owned MSEs on the platform have grown from 268 in 2016–17 to over 2.16 lakh, with procurement value rising from ₹8 crore to more than ₹93,327 crore. Startup participation has scaled from 88 entities to over 40,000, with procurement increasing from ₹2 crore to over ₹61,400 crore. Registered SC/ST MSEs have grown from 38 to over 66,000, with procurement value exceeding ₹21,800 crore, according to the ministry statement.
Healthcare and Public Service Delivery
Beyond commercial procurement, GeM has played a measurable role in public health supply chains. The platform has facilitated procurement of over 324 crore vaccine doses and 199 crore syringes. It has also enabled sourcing of medical kits for Vande Bharat trains, diagnostic equipment, and a range of healthcare-related supplies and services, the ministry said.
Technology and the Road Ahead
GeM is increasingly deploying artificial intelligence-based tools, advanced analytics, digital monitoring systems, and transparent auction mechanisms to improve efficiency and accountability across procurement processes. The ministry statement positioned the platform as central to India's Viksit Bharat vision, with a continued focus on innovation and best practices in digital procurement. The platform is expected to deepen its reach across enterprises and geographies as government institutions expand their use of digital supply chains.
Point of View
But they warrant scrutiny on quality. Aggregate procurement value tells us how much money moved through the platform — it does not tell us whether MSEs received timely payments, whether contracts were executed, or whether the smallest micro enterprises benefited as much as the larger 'small' ones. The inclusion data on women-owned and SC/ST firms is a step toward accountability, but without disaggregated outcome metrics — payment cycles, dispute rates, repeat participation — the headline figures risk overstating the platform's transformative impact on the ground.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Government e-Marketplace (GeM)?
GeM is a digital public procurement platform launched by the Indian government to enable government institutions to purchase goods and services directly from registered sellers, including MSEs, startups, and individual entrepreneurs. It was designed to reduce human interface, improve transparency, and simplify access to government contracts.
How much has GeM procured from micro and small enterprises?
GeM has facilitated procurement worth more than ₹8.69 lakh crore from MSEs, up from ₹69 crore in 2016–17, according to the Commerce and Industry Ministry. The number of orders has grown from 2,994 to over 2.17 crore in the same period.
How has GeM benefited women entrepreneurs and marginalised groups?
Women-owned MSEs on GeM have grown from 268 to over 2.16 lakh, with procurement rising from ₹8 crore to over ₹93,327 crore. SC/ST MSEs have increased from 38 to over 66,000, with procurement exceeding ₹21,800 crore, according to the ministry statement.
What role has GeM played in healthcare procurement?
GeM has facilitated procurement of over 324 crore vaccine doses and 199 crore syringes, along with medical kits for Vande Bharat trains and diagnostic equipment, making it a significant channel for public health supply chains.
What technology does GeM use to improve procurement?
The platform uses artificial intelligence-based tools, advanced analytics, digital monitoring systems, and transparent auction mechanisms to improve efficiency, accountability, and user experience across government procurement processes.
