How to Create and Upload Catalogues on the GeM Portal

There are over 10,700 product categories and 350 service categories in the GeM portal. This necessitates the sorting of products and services available to government buyers. The GeM platform uses a catalogue-based system where every seller has an official storefront displaying all of their offerings in one place.

A product is a single item or service that a seller offers; for example, PC desktops, mobile phones or IT consultancy services. A catalogue is the complete grouping of all products and services offered by a single seller. Each catalogue has multiple entries for each product/service with images, descriptions, specifications, prices, reviews and vendor information.

The GeM portal features a highly effective catalogue management system. Sellers and service providers can broadcast their products/services, specifications, features, pricing and new offerings. They can upload their existing offerings, create fresh categories, create custom catalogues, make changes to existing categories and clone existing catalogues.

Sellers can offer both unbranded products, branded products or register a brand they own. After publishing their offerings, sellers can also make edits to their catalogues. To know more about these functionalities, read our step-by-step guide on how to upload a catalogue in the GeM portal.

Follow the given steps to upload your existing product offerings on the GeM portal under existing categories:

Step 1: Register and Log in

• Go to the official GeM portal and click on ‘Login’. If you don’t have an account, click on ‘Sign up’ and enter some basic information, such as your PAN, Aadhaar, GSIN, email ID and mobile number to create a new seller account.

• Enter your seller user ID and captcha code as shown on screen. Next, enter your GeM password and click on the ‘Submit’ button.

Step 2: Choose Your Product Category

• To start adding new products, go to the dashboard and click on Catalogue > Products > Add New Offering.

• In the next screen, find your product category. You can type in the product name or related keywords in the search bar or click on the relevant category and subcategory dropdown menus to find your product. Alternatively, click on My Categories if your new product is in the same category as your previously listed items.

Click on the product category name (e.g., desktop PC or steel tubes) when it appears.

Step 3: Add the Product’s General Information

• On the next screen, select the brand name from the given list. If your chosen brand is not available, you can add it by clicking on Brand Addition.

• Enter the rest of the required information, including dimensions, technical specifications, colour, material, etc., based on your chosen product.

Step 4: Enter the Catalogue Information

• Once you’ve entered most of the specifications, your chosen product will appear on the screen. Click on Choose This Item to pair with the existing product.

• If your chosen product is not yet available on the GeM portal, click on Proceed with New Item. To upload a new product, type in the product name, model, description, website URL, product FSSAI number and seller FSSAI number (for reselling only).

Step 5: Set the Offering Quantity and Price

• Select your seller category (reseller or OEM) and fill in the required details. Resellers need to enter their authorisation number, authorisation ID, date and validity. OEMs need to enter information such as country of origin, local content %, etc., sign the Make In India declaration and upload their brand/trademark documentation.

• Add the pricing details, including MRP (maximum retail price), HSN code, offer price, discounts (if any), order quantity and delivery locations.

Step 6: Upload Specifications and Images

• Enter the rest of the specification details (varies with products) and valid certification (ISO, BIS, etc.)

• Upload high-quality images (at least 3) of your product, showing its front, back and sides.

• Review the terms and conditions and enter the captcha code to publish the product. You will get a notification stating that a new catalogue has been created with your products.

The GeM portal allows resellers to list products of other brands as well as the listing of unbranded products. In addition, you can list your brand if you own its registered trademark. Follow the given steps to add a new brand:

Step 1: Sign in using your user ID and password. Then, follow the Step 1 and Step 2 given in our above step-by-step guide on how to add a product catalogue on the GeM portal.

Step 2: Once you have selected the category and name of your product, you will find yourself on the Product Upload window. In the Brand field, click on the link named “Couldn’t Find Your Brand? Click Here to Add”.

Step 3: Read through the Document Guidelines and choose the ‘We own the registered trademark for a brand’ option. Then, enter the name of your registered brand and click to confirm.

Step 4: If you own an OEM (original equipment manufacturer), click on ‘Yes’. Then, enter your brand details and upload the required documents (trademark registration certificate and other proof of brand ownership).

Step 5: Sign the necessary declarations by checking them and clicking on ‘Apply for Brand and OEM Dashboard’ to submit your application. You can track your request by going to the Published tab > Brand/OEM Requests.

The clone functionality allows sellers to easily create copies of existing product catalogues of other sellers on the GeM portal. Note that at least one specification has to be different in your product catalogue. Follow these steps to clone an existing catalogue:

Step 1: Log in to the GeM portal using your credentials and then click on Catalogue > Add New Offering. Then, choose the product you want to add using the steps discussed before.

Step 2: In the next window, go to the Clone Catalogue Specifications tab. Then, enter the catalogue ID which you want to copy and click on Submit. This will copy all specifications of the existing catalogue.

Step 3: Click on Submit on the dialogue box to provide consent. Make the necessary changes in the specifications displayed below and enter your stock details and prices.

Step 4: Follow the next steps to publish and upload your catalogue in the GeM portal as given in our detailed guide.

Service providers can offer multiple types of services prelisted on the GeM portal but cannot add any new services. Here are the steps to add a service catalogue:

Step 1: Sign in to the GeM portal using your credentials and submit the captcha code.

Step 2: After logging in, go to Catalogue > Services > Add New Offering from the dashboard.

Step 3: Find your service offering by typing the name in the search bar or browsing through All Categories.

Step 4: Click on the specific type of service you are offering under your chosen category to create a catalogue.

Step 5: Review the description and read through the terms and conditions of its SLA (service level agreement) before proceeding.

Step 6: Enter the relevant details of your previous government service experience, including project name, department, order number, project value, duration, etc.

Step 7: Update the rate sheet to quote your prices. Ensure to fill in the required information, including service type, consumables (if any), materials required, etc., depending on the type of service.

Step 8: Add your relevant certificates for the service and click on Validate & Save to save your service catalogue.

There are thousands of products and service categories on the GeM portal. Here are some popular product categories:

• Computers: Desktop PCs, laptops, PC monitors

• Consumer Electronics: TVs, microwave ovens, speakers

• Inorganic Chemicals: Isopropyl alcohol, Potash fertiliser, Hydrochloric Acid

• Automobile Parts: OEM spare parts, engine parts

• Industrial Equipment: Hydraulic press, scissor lift, cooling fan

• Medical Equipment: Diagnostic kits, PPE, X-ray machine

• Office Supplies: Files, cabinets, office chairs, wall shelves

• Furniture: Beds (handcrafted), bookshelves, dressing tables

Here are some popular service categories on the GeM portal:

• Goods and transport services

• Cleaning and pest control

• Restaurants and catering services

• Bandwidth, data and voice services

• Design, supply and installation of solar panels

• Project management and consultancy

• Manpower outsourcing services

• Managed cloud services

Here are some good reasons to maintain a well-optimised catalogue on the GeM portal:

• Eligible for Direct Orders: Registered sellers who have listed their product catalogues are eligible for direct purchase contracts that don’t require bidding.

• Higher Visibility: Sellers with larger catalogues gain higher visibility in the GeM portal, which increases the chances of securing more lucrative contracts.

• Gets Timely Alerts: After publishing their catalogues, sellers are instantly notified about new bids and searches made for their product categories.

• Readiness for Government Tenders: Having complete and verified catalogues is necessary to be eligible for various government tenders.

Follow the given tips when uploading your catalogues on the GeM portal:

• Upload high-quality photographs of your product or service with your listing on the GeM portal.

• Set competitive pricing on your products/services after doing a thorough competitor research to maximise your chances.

• Regularly monitor your GeM catalogue and edit your product description and specifications.

• Utilise keywords related to your product and category to increase your visibility on the portal.

• Write a clear and concise product description without using heavy technical jargon.

It’s easy to upload your product catalogues on the GeM portal if you know the steps and prerequisites. Check the above guide on how to create a catalogue on the GeM portal to check the rules beforehand. Ensure to meet the portal’s strict compliance requirements, including owning trademark rights, brand authorisation, certificates and necessary stocks for a seamless approval.

Suppliers, distributors and resellers on the GeM platform take measures to limit their liabilities by following the rules and regulations and conducting their due diligence. Many sellers also rely on insurance for small businesses to cover their liabilities. There are multiple options of small business and insurance, like marine insurance, group health insurance or fire insurance, available to MSMEs.

Employers in labour-intensive industries need special types of commercial insurance policies to protect their workers from work-related injuries. The TATA AIG Labour Insurance Policy provides sufficient coverage against income loss and accidents and boosts employee productivity.