GeM Portal: How MSMEs Can Win Their First Order on GeM India (2025 Guide)
Unlock Lucrative Opportunities
Government auctions in India present significant opportunities for businesses and individuals to acquire valuable assets ranging from vehicles, real estate, industrial equipment, coal, scrap materials, to mineral rights, often at attractive prices. Understanding the nuances of these auctions can lead to profitable investments and strategic growth.
1. Why GeM Matters for MSMEs
GeM is not just a tender portal. It is a buyers-driven marketplace where ministries, PSUs, railways, and government departments buy from verified sellers.
Key advantages for MSMEs:
Zero entry barrier — easy registration
High visibility to government buyers
Fair and transparent procurement
Special MSME benefits (MSE preference, exemptions)
Fast order lifecycle with assured payment
For MSMEs looking to scale, GeM is a non-negotiable growth channel.
2. Step 1 — Complete Your GeM Registration
A successful beginning starts with a compliant registration.
Ensure the following details are ready:
Mandatory Documents:
Aadhaar + PAN
Mobile number linked to Aadhaar
Bank account details
Business registration (GST/UDYAM/Company)
Email ID for business operations
Key Tips:
Use official business email ID for GeM
Ensure your UDYAM details match the GeM profile
Keep DSC ready (for OEM/RA/advanced features)
Leegal Tip: Even a minor mismatch in PAN, GST, or UDYAM data leads to verification delays. Cross-check all details before submission.
3. Step 2 — Build a High-Converting Product/Service Catalog
A catalogue is your digital storefront. Government buyers shortlist sellers based on technical clarity and compliance.
Catalogue Checklist:
High-quality product images
Clear technical specifications
Accurate dimensions, features, compliance parameters
Valid OEM authorization (if applicable)
Competitive but realistic pricing
Delivery time commitments
Warranty/Guarantee details
Avoid These Mistakes:
Incomplete specifications
Low-quality product images
Copy-paste descriptions
Irrelevant pricing
4. Step 3 — Understand How Orders Come on GeM
GeM supports three primary ways to get orders:
**
Direct Purchase
Bids (L1) Reverse Auction (RA)**
Each pathway requires a different strategy.
5. Step 4 — Discover Opportunities (Bids, Direct Purchase, RA)
Use the “Bid/RA Search” filters to find relevant opportunities:
Category
Location preference
Buyer department
Technical attributes
Delivery timelines
6. Step 5 — Submit a Compliant Bid
Your first order often comes from a well-prepared bid.
Checklist for a Winning Bid:
Read tender document fully
Match all technical specifications
Upload all mandatory documents
Ensure compliant pricing format
Maintain product originality
Documents Commonly Needed:
GST
PAN
UDYAM
Experience certificates (if asked)
OEM authorization
Financial documents (if specified)
7. Step 6 — Strategic Pricing: Your Key to First Order
Pricing is where new sellers make or break their GeM journey.
Winning Pricing Formula:
Know the market median price
Study competition in your category
Account for logistics + compliance cost
Maintain minimum viable profit margins
Buyers prefer balanced offers — neither inflated nor suspiciously low
8. Step 7 — Optimize for Direct Purchase Orders
Direct Purchase (DP) gives the fastest results.
Three ways to increase DP chances:
Keep stock ready for quick delivery
Add multiple PIN codes for delivery coverage
Maintain dynamic competitive pricing
GeM buyers often pick sellers based on delivery timelines + seller rating.
9. Step 8 — Manage Your Orders Professionally
Once you win your first order, ensure timely execution:
Accept order quickly
Ship on time
Update delivery status with proof
Upload invoice correctly
Maintain buyer communication
Ensure product/service quality
Great performance boosts your rating → Leads to more orders.
10. Common Reasons Why MSMEs Fail to Get Their First Order
Even good businesses struggle due to:
Wrong categories selected
Poor catalogue quality
No active bidding strategy
Overpriced listings
Missing documents
Slow response to buyers
Lack of knowledge in bid compliance
Not optimising for DP or RA
11. How Leegal Helps MSMEs Win Their First Order
Leegal’s GeM Advisory Team brings end-to-end support:
Our Offerings:
Registration & Catalogue Setup
Category Selection Strategy
Bid/RA Discovery & Daily Alerts
Technical Document Preparation
Bid Submission Support
Price Benchmarking
Compliance Monitoring
DP Optimization
Contract Execution Assistance
Dispute & Issue Resolution
We ensure MSMEs start, scale, and sustain their business on GeM with confidence.
Strategic Insight
Strategic Foundations: Delve into the core principles that underpin successful tendering, providing a strategic foundation for all subsequent stages.
Initiation to Award: Gain clarity on the overarching objectives, key decision points, and strategic considerations from the initiation of the process to the final award stage.
Risk Assessment: Understand how a strategic approach involves a thorough risk assessment, enabling organizations to proactively address potential challenges.
End-to-End Perspective
Holistic View: Explore the tendering process from an end-to-end perspective, ensuring a holistic understanding of how each phase contributes to the overall success of procurement.
Interconnected Phases: Examine the interconnected nature of initiation, planning, preparation, evaluation, and award, recognizing the dependencies that define a seamless procurement journey.
Strategic Decision-Making: Emphasize the strategic decision-making required at each stage, emphasizing the impact on subsequent phases.
Navigating Complexity
Clear Navigation Strategies: Uncover strategies for navigating the complexities of the tendering process, offering a clear roadmap for effective decision-making.
Communication Excellence: Highlight the role of effective communication in simplifying complex procedures, ensuring clarity for all stakeholders involved.
Guidance for All: Tailor content to be accessible for both seasoned professionals, providing strategic insights, and newcomers, offering foundational knowledge to demystify the process.
Breaking Down the Tendering Process
Navigate the tendering process seamlessly with our in-depth guide, breaking down the journey into distinct stages. Explore a step-by-step breakdown, delve into the intricacies of initiation, planning, preparation, and unravel the critical evaluation and award stages.
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- Expert Legal Guidance
- Comprehensive Compliance Assistance
- Tailored Tender Strategies
- Contract Review and Negotiation
- Dispute Resolution Support
- Identifying Suitable Tenders
Step-by-Step Breakdown
Comprehensive Overview: Dive into a comprehensive breakdown, offering a step-by-step guide to the entire tendering process.
Clarity in Action: Experience clarity as we dissect each stage, demystifying the complexities and providing a roadmap for successful navigation.
Strategic Insights: Gain strategic insights at each step, empowering you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.
- Feature: Delve into a comprehensive breakdown that leaves no aspect of the tendering process untouched.
- Significance: Ensures a thorough exploration, providing readers with a complete understanding of the intricacies involved in tendering.
- Feature: Experience clarity in action as each stage is dissected, unraveling complexities for enhanced understanding.
- Significance: Visual clarity ensures that readers can grasp the tendering journey with precision, facilitating effective decision-making.
Feature: Gain strategic insights at every step, empowering readers to make informed decisions.
Significance: Provides readers with the knowledge and strategic acumen needed to navigate the tendering process with confidence and efficacy.
Feature: The breakdown offers a holistic understanding, connecting the dots between each stage for a seamless procurement journey.
Significance: Ensures that readers comprehend how each stage contributes to the overall success of the tendering process.
Feature: The chapter is crafted with an accessible learning approach suitable for newcomers and seasoned professionals alike.
Significance: Fosters an inclusive learning environment, making the intricacies of tendering accessible to a diverse audience.
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