India’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has marked an impressive milestone, reporting over Rs 9.82 lakh crore in total public procurement as of July 30, 2024. Launched on August 9, 2016, the GeM portal facilitates online purchasing of goods and services by various government entities, including ministries, departments, and public sector units.

In its inaugural year, GeM initiated procurement valued at merely Rs 422 crore. However, this figure dramatically escalated, crossing Rs 4 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year. As highlighted by Jitin Prasada, the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, these results underscore the efficiency and significance of digital procurement in India’s governance.

The platform currently supports over 63,000 government organizations and 62 lakh sellers. Notably, it has registered approximately 1.63 lakh women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and around 25,000 startups. By providing a diverse product range—from office supplies to automobiles—GeM plays a crucial role in promoting entrepreneurship, particularly among women and small business owners.

GeM is steadily moving toward being one of the largest public procurement platforms globally, currently ranking just behind South Korea’s KONEPS. This progress indicates not only a shift towards digitalization in government dealings but also the potential for boosting India’s economic growth through increased participation in the procurement process.