Registering on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal is mandatory for buyers and sellers who want to participate in government procurement. While the registration process is online, many users face confusion around eligibility, document requirements, and account approval.
This step-by-step guide explains how to register on the GeM portal for buyers and sellers, clearly outlining the registration flow, required information, and key considerations at each stage. It is intended for government buyers, sellers, traders, and businesses planning to onboard themselves on GeM.
This guide focuses only on buyer and seller registration. OEMs and manufacturers follow a separate registration process, which is explained in a dedicated guide linked below. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of the GeM registration process and what is required to complete it successfully.
GeM Portal Registration Process – Quick Overview
Below is a quick overview of the GeM registration process for buyers and sellers:
- Access the GeM Portal Registration Page
Visit the official GeM portal and choose the appropriate registration type. - Select Buyer or Seller Registration
Choose whether you are registering as a buyer or seller based on your role. - Enter Organisation & Contact Details
Provide business or department information and authorised user details. - Submit Required Documents
Upload mandatory documents for verification as per GeM requirements. - Complete Verification & Approval
Verify details through OTP or digital validation and submit for approval.
Each step is explained in detail below to help you complete registration without delays.
GeM Registration Process for Buyers
Buyer registration on GeM is meant for government departments, public sector units, and authorised government organisations. Buyers must provide official credentials, department details, and authorised user information to create an account.
Buyer: Go to gem.gov.in → Sign Up (Buyer) → use official govt email → create Primary User account → map roles (DDO/PAO/Consignee) → verify department details → activate account.
The buyer registration process focuses on enabling procurement activities such as product discovery, bid participation, and order placement.
GeM Registration Process for Sellers
Seller registration on GeM is designed for businesses, traders, and service providers who want to sell products or services to government buyers. Sellers are required to submit business details, tax information, and verification documents during registration.
Seller: Go to gem.gov.in → Sign Up (Seller) → enter PAN/Aadhaar & business details → upload documents (PAN, GST if applicable, bank, MSME/UDYAM) → create/optimize profile & catalog → verify bank → add DSC when needed for e-signing/bids → activate account.
Once approved, sellers can list products, participate in bids, and receive orders through the GeM portal.
Are You an OEM or Manufacturer?
OEMs and manufacturers must follow a different registration process on the GeM portal, which involves additional verification and compliance requirements.
If you are registering as an OEM or brand owner, refer to our detailed guide on
How to Register as an OEM in the GeM Portal for complete instructions.
What Is GeM? Who Can Register as a Seller
GeM is a unified online portal for public procurement. Sellers include startups, MSMEs, and enterprises offering goods or services. Registering enables you to list catalogs, receive orders, and bid in tenders directly from government buyers.
Documents Required for GeM Registration (Checklist)
Tip: Mismatches across GST, PAN, Aadhaar, and bank details cause most delays. Ensure names, addresses, and numbers match exactly.
| Document / Field | Required For | Notes |
| PAN of business/owner | Seller sign-up | Must match GST and bank KYC |
| Aadhaar / VID (authorized signatory) | Seller sign-up | Ensure mobile is Aadhaar-linked for OTP |
| GSTIN (if applicable) | Tax compliance | Some exempt categories may register without GST; confirm applicability |
| UDYAM/MSME certificate (optional but recommended) | MSME benefits | Helps procurement preference and fee relaxations |
| Bank account details (acct no., IFSC, passbook/statement) | Payouts & verification | Name must match PAN/GST entity |
| Business address & contact | Profile | Use the official address as per registration |
| Product/service catalog basics | Listing & approvals | Clear titles, specs, images, pricing, compliance |
| DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) | E-signing, higher-value bids | Not mandatory for basic sign-up; needed later for certain workflows |
Step-by-Step GeM Seller Registration
- Visit GeM & Choose “Sign Up → Seller”
Go to gem.gov.in, start sign-up, and select Seller. - Enter Business & KYC Details
Provide legal business name, PAN, Aadhaar-linked mobile, and contact details. Keep documents handy. - Add GST/UDYAM (As Applicable)
Enter GSTIN (if applicable) and UDYAM/MSME for benefits. Double-check that entity names and addresses match. - Upload Mandatory Documents
Upload PAN, GST, bank details (with proof), and any additional compliance docs specific to your category. - Create & Optimize Your Seller Profile
- Select correct business type and categories
- Add company address/NAP (Name, Address, Phone)
- Build a compliant catalog: accurate titles, specs, images, units, and pricing.
- Bank Verification & DSC (When Needed)
Complete bank verification (OTP/statement). Integrate DSC when you plan to e-sign or bid in higher-value tenders. - Activate Account & Go Live
Confirm via email/OTP. Start listing, receive orders, and participate in bids.
Is GST or DSC mandatory on GeM?
- GST: Required for most sellers; however, some exempt categories/startups may register without GST. Assess your category before proceeding.
- DSC: Not required for basic sign-up. It becomes essential for e-signing invoices, contracts, and higher-value bids.
Optimize Your Seller Profile and Catalog (Pro Tips)
- Choose the right categories: Wrong mapping kills visibility and risks catalog rejection.
- Use compliant titles & attributes: Include make/model/specs and correct units; avoid promotional words in titles.
- High-quality images: Clear, borderless images on a neutral background.
- Competitive, transparent pricing: Align with market; include taxes if required by category.
- MSME/UDYAM leverage: Highlight status for procurement preferences and fee reliefs.
- Keywords in catalog descriptions: Add common search terms buyers use (no keyword stuffing).
- Health score: Keep your catalog compliant to avoid suspension.
Vendor Assessment (RITES): When It’s Needed & How to Pass
For selected categories or thresholds, sellers may require Vendor Assessment (often conducted by RITES or other designated agencies) to validate capacity, quality, and compliance.
How to prepare:
- Keep manufacturing/service capability documents ready (licenses, QA/ISO certificates).
- Ensure address, GST, and bank details match across all documents.
- Maintain product samples/spec sheets if requested.
- Respond promptly to assessment communications and schedule slots early.
Common Registration Rejection Reasons & Fixes
- GST–PAN mismatch → Correct master data; re-upload valid docs.
- Wrong category selection → Remap to precise category; adjust attributes.
- Outdated/invalid documents → Upload current GST certificate, bank proof, UDYAM.
- Aadhaar-linked mobile not active → Update phone in Aadhaar/UIDAI and retry OTP.
- Non-compliant catalog → Fix titles, specs, images, and pricing as per guidelines.
- Skipped DSC for bids → Procure and integrate a valid DSC before tender participation.
Buyer Registration (Overview)
Keep the buyer section concise on this page to maintain seller intent. If you later publish a full buyer guide, link it here.
Who qualifies: Government users with official @gov.in / @nic.in emails.
Buyer steps (summary):
- Sign Up → Buyer, using official email
- Create Primary User account for the organization
- Map roles (DDO/PAO/Consignee/Secondary Users)
- Verify department and billing details
- Activate account; configure buying preferences and approvals
Buyer tips:
- Maintain a clear role hierarchy to avoid approval bottlenecks.
- Keep designation and location fields accurate for audit trails.
- Train secondary users on procurement modes and documentation.
How GEMTech Paras Fast-Tracks Your Approval
- Document prep & verification: We align PAN, GST, Aadhaar, bank, and UDYAM to prevent mismatches.
- Complete registration handling: Forms, uploads, bank verification, DSC integration.
- Profile & catalog optimization: Category mapping, titles/specs, images, and pricing for approval.
- Vendor Assessment readiness: Checklist, documentation, and scheduling support.
- Priority approvals: Minimize rejections and accelerate go-live with expert oversight.
Want zero-error GeM registration? Talk to a GeM expert at GEMTech Paras
FAQs on GeM Registration
- Is GST mandatory for GeM registration?
Usually yes; certain exempt categories/startups may register without GST. - Do I need a DSC to register on GeM?
Not for basic sign-up. You’ll need DSC for e-signing and higher-value bids. - How long does GeM registration take?
Typically 3–7 working days if documents are correct. - Can startups and MSMEs register?
Absolutely. MSME/UDYAM status can improve procurement preference. - What documents are mandatory?
PAN, Aadhaar (authorized signatory), GST (if applicable), bank details, and catalog basics. - Why do registrations get rejected?
Data mismatches, wrong categories, outdated docs, or non-compliant catalog. - What is Vendor Assessment?
A capability/compliance check (often via RITES) required for select categories/thresholds. - How do I optimize my catalog for approval?
Accurate titles/specs, correct attributes/units, clean images, and transparent pricing. - Can I register as a buyer and a seller?
Yes, but they’re distinct flows with different eligibility and roles. - How does GEMTech Paras help?
We manage documents, registration, catalog, and assessment to speed approvals.
Conclusion: Register on GeM Without Errors
GeM opens the door to direct government demand, but only when your registration, documents, and catalog are 100% compliant. Use the checklists and steps above to avoid delays—or let GEMTech Paras handle the process end-to-end so you can focus on winning orders and tenders.