The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has revolutionized how businesses sell to the Indian Government. As of January 2026, the GeM portal has introduced new AI-driven verification features and updated Caution Money rules. If you are a startup, MSME, or a large manufacturer, registering on GeM is no longer optional—it is a necessity to access government tenders worth crores.
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In this guide, we provide the most updated process for GeM Portal Seller Registration 2026.
### 1. Why Register on GeM Portal in 2026?
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Direct Access: Sell to Central & State Govt. Departments, PSUs, and Autonomous bodies.
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No Middlemen: Transparent Bidding and Reverse Auction (RA).
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Timely Payments: Integrated online payment system (e-Governance).
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MSME Benefits: Special preferences for Udyam-registered businesses.
### 2. Eligibility & Documents Required
Before starting your GeM registration, ensure you have the following digital copies ready:
| Document Type | Requirement |
| Aadhaar Card | Must be linked to an active mobile number for OTP. |
| PAN Card | Personal PAN (for Proprietorship) or Business PAN. |
| GSTIN Number | Mandatory for most product categories. |
| Udyam Registration | Required to claim MSME exemptions/benefits. |
| Bank Details | Cancelled cheque and IFSC code for PFMS integration. |
| ITR Details | Last 3 years’ Income Tax Returns for “Verified Seller” status. |
### 3. GeM Portal Registration Process 2026 (Step-by-Step)
Follow these steps to create your seller account successfully:
Step 1: Visit the Official GeM Website
Go to [suspicious link removed]. On the top right, click on Sign Up and select Seller.
Step 2: Review Terms and Conditions
A popup will appear with the “Terms and Conditions.” Read them carefully and accept to proceed.
Step 3: Organization Details
Select your business type:
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Proprietorship
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Firm (Partnership/LLP)
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Company (Private or Public)
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Trust/Society
Step 4: Personal Verification (Aadhaar/PAN)
Verify the “Authorized Representative” using Aadhaar-based OTP or PAN-based verification. This person will be responsible for managing the account.
Step 5: Business Profile Completion
Once logged in, you must complete your profile. This includes:
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Office Address: Verified via GSTIN database.
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Bank Account: Linked for receiving payments.
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Caution Money: This is a mandatory deposit based on your annual turnover.
### 4. GeM Caution Money Deposit 2026
In 2026, the GeM portal requires all sellers to deposit “Caution Money” to ensure serious participation.
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Turnover < ₹1 Crore: ₹5,000
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Turnover ₹1 Cr – ₹10 Cr: ₹10,000
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Turnover > ₹10 Cr: ₹25,000
### 5. How to List Products & Services
After profile completion (100%), you can start listing your products.
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Select Category: Search for the specific unspsc code or category name.
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Brand Selection: If you are an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), you can list your brand. If you are a reseller, you need an Authorization Letter from the OEM.
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Pricing: Set your price. Note that GeM requires the price to be competitive (usually 10% lower than other e-commerce sites).
### 6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is GeM portal registration free?
Yes, GeM registration is completely free. You don’t have to pay anything just to create an account.
But keep in mind, you will need to pay Caution Money and a small transaction fee whenever you receive or place an order through the portal.
Q2: Can service providers register on GeM?
Yes, service providers can also register on the GeM portal.
Services like security, manpower supply, IT services, housekeeping, and similar categories are allowed. These services usually work on a monthly or contract basis through GeM tenders.
Q3: How much time does GeM registration take?
The basic registration process hardly takes 20–30 minutes if your documents are ready.
However, for full verification and for your products/services to become live, it may take around 15 to 20 days, depending on document checks and approval speed.
Common GeM Registration Rejection Reasons (And How to Fix Them)
Many sellers get stuck during GeM verification and don’t understand why their profile is not getting approved. In most cases, the issue is very small but goes unnoticed. Below are the most common GeM registration problems in 2026 and how you can fix them easily.
PAN–Aadhaar Name Mismatch
Problem:
The name on your PAN card does not exactly match with the name on Aadhaar. Even a small spelling mistake or space issue can cause rejection.
Solution:
Before doing OTP verification, make sure PAN and Aadhaar details are 100% same, including spelling and date of birth. If not, update one of them first.
Incomplete Vendor Assessment
Problem:
Sellers dealing in Safety items or Technical products often skip the mandatory Vendor Assessment conducted by QCI (Quality Council of India).
Solution:
Check your product category carefully. If Vendor Assessment is required, apply for it from the GeM dashboard. Some categories need desktop assessment, while others may require physical inspection.
Caution Money Not Paid
Problem:
Your profile shows 99% complete, but approval is not happening because Caution Money is still pending.
Solution:
Go to “Manage Caution Money” section on GeM and transfer the required amount (usually between ₹5,000 to ₹25,000) from your linked bank account.
Invalid or Incorrect Udyam Certificate
Problem:
Using a wrong, expired, or unverified Udyam Registration Number.
Solution:
First update or correct your details on the Udyam portal. After updating, wait for 24–48 hours, then come back to GeM and re-verify the Udyam details.
Blurry or Unclear Document Uploads
Problem:
Documents like cancelled cheque or ITR are uploaded but are not readable properly.
Solution:
Always upload clear, color-scanned PDFs. File size should be under 500KB, and all details must be clearly visible.