How to Bid Successfully on the GeM Portal in 2026

GeM, also known as Government e-Marketplace, is a digital platform where businesses can register, list their products or services and bid for government requirements.

All central government ministries, departments and PSUs make their purchases on GeM as per Rule 149 of the General Financial Rules 2017. Many state governments are also joining the platform to ensure transparent and efficient procurement.

The purpose of the GeM portal is to make government tenders simple, transparent, and accessible to businesses of all sizes. It removes middlemen, speeds up procurement and gives sellers a fair chance to compete for government orders online.

A bid is simply an offer you place to sell a product or service at a specific price in response to a buyer’s requirement. Before learning how to submit bids on the GeM portal, you need to understand the different types of bids.

Standard or Regular Bids

These are the bids initiated by the buyers for specific product categories. It allows eligible vendors to submit their offers and pricing. Regular bids are categorised into three types: single-product categories, predefined products, and categories with insufficient parameters.

Custom Bids

If a product does not match any of the existing GeM categories, buyers can create a custom catalogue bid. They describe the product specifications in detail, and sellers then submit their offers based on those custom requirements.

Bill of Quantity (BoQ) Bids

When a project needs many different items, buyers use a BOQ bid. They share a list with all the items and their quantities. Sellers then give prices for each item in that list.

GeM portal registration is useful for various kinds of businesses, such as:

• Manufacturers

• Service providers

• Traders and resellers

• MSMEs and startups

To participate in the tender, businesses must be registered service providers or sellers on the GeM portal. Here are the prerequisites businesses need to fulfil before bidding on the GeM portal.

• An active GeM seller account

• A legally registered business, such as a proprietorship, partnership or private limited company

• Valid PAN and GST information (where required)

• Your products or services are properly uploaded to the portal

• Any necessary technical documents or quality certificates for your category

• A verified bank account with KYC completed

Understanding how to bid tender on GeM portals is crucial to securing government orders. Here is how you can bid on the GeM portal.

Step 1: Do GeM Seller Registration

Go to the official GeM portal and register your business if it is not registered on the platform. Ensure that you register yourself as a seller with proper product listings and documentation.

Step 2: Keep Eye on Active Tenders

Next, after registering your account, you need to monitor the active bids on the portal. This can be done by accessing the “Bids” section in the dashboard. You can also set the filter by value, location, department, etc., to find the relevant tender.

Step 3: Read the Bid Document

Once you have decided on the tender, read the tender document carefully. Every tender comes with a document which includes technical specifications, qualification criteria, payment terms, etc.

Step 4: Gather Necessary Documents

After carefully reviewing the tender documents, you need to gather the required documents, including the company profile, experience certificates, PAN, GST, MSME certificates, technical brochures, and performance security (if applicable).

Step 5: Submit Bid Online

You will have to submit two parts in your bid. The technical offer includes details such as your compliance documents, experience, and any required certifications. The financial offer includes the price you are quoting for each item or unit, before tax.

Step 6: Evaluation and Reverse Auction

Once your technical offer is approved, you may be moved into the Reverse Auction stage. This is a live bidding session where eligible sellers compete by offering the lowest price within the buyer’s terms.

Step 7: Order Issuance

If you win the auction, the order is issued in your name. You will receive a formal GeM contract and an email confirmation, and the order details will appear on your GeM dashboard.

Here is the list of documents required for the GeM tender bidding.

• Tender documents

• Vendor basic details like name, address, etc.

• RTGS/NEFT details with a cancelled cheque copy for payment.

• Declaration form for acceptance of terms and conditions.

• Compliance declaration certificate as per Make in India guidelines.

• Proof of Micro, Small, or Medium Enterprise status.

• Certificate ensuring compliance with procurement guidelines.

• Copies of PAN and GSTIN for tax compliance.

• Acknowledgement of tender specifications by the bidder.

Opening and checking a bid on the GeM portal is quite simple once you know where to look. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Log in to your GeM seller account with your credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Bids” section on the dashboard.

Step 3: Choose “Active Bids” to view what you want.

Step 4: Click on the specific “Bid Number" to open it.

Step 5: You can now check all details, including eligibility criteria, quantity, delivery terms, evaluation method, and submission deadlines.

Step 6: If the bid suits your product or service, proceed with submitting the technical and financial offers.

If you have submitted a bid on the GeM portal, then you need to track it to know the exact status. Here is how you can track the submitted bid.

Step 1: Open the GeM account using your credentials.

Step 2: After logging into your account, go to the “My Bids” section.

Step 3: Here you can view the tenders you have applied for.

Step 4: Click the tender, then check its status.

Step 5: If the tender is still in process, you will see the “Under Evaluation” status.

The portal also sends alerts via email and SMS, but depending only on them can lead to delays. It’s best to check your dashboard regularly to stay up to date.

Tender bids can also be rejected on the GeM portal for various reasons, such as incorrect information. Here are some mistakes to avoid when submitting bids on the GeM portal.

• Before submitting documents on the portal, ensure they are correct and valid.

• Another mistake to avoid is overquoting prices without market analysis.

• Do not overlook the buyers' clarification notice either.

• Submitting the bid before the deadline is also crucial. Do not wait until the last minute.

• Lastly, do not miss participating in a reverse auction.

To win the tenders on the GeM portal, here are some tips businesses need to follow.

• One major tip is to ensure that KYC documents, specific service details, etc, are up to date.

• Price your offerings competitively by checking market rates and adjusting margins where possible.

• Always follow the technical specifications carefully, as any non-compliance can lead to disqualification.

• If eligible, take advantage of DPIIT or MSME benefits, such as exemptions on EMD, turnover requirements, and experience criteria.

• Another crucial tip is to respond promptly and accurately to buyer queries.

Understanding how to bid on the GeM portal is essential for any business aiming to work with government buyers. By completing your profile, submitting accurate technical and financial offers, and staying active on the platform, you can increase your chances of winning tenders.

With careful preparation on the GeM portal, business owners can grow their business through government contracts. In addition to utilising the GeM portal, business owners also need to invest in business insurance. There are various business insurance options for small businesses, medium enterprises, and more, based on their operational needs.

With a commercial insurance policy, businesses can protect their assets against unforeseen situations. The plan offers financial security and continuity to business owners.

TATA AIG offers various SME insurance plans, including marine insurance, fire and burglary insurance, and other options tailored to protect businesses against different risks. These plans ensure that businesses can maintain operations and financial stability even in challenging situations.