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GeM Tender: How to Find and Search Tenders on GeM Portal
Government buyers post new tenders on GeM every day, and you can browse the open ones for free, even without logging in. This guide shows you where GeM tenders are listed, how to filter them by bid number, ministry, state or city, how to read a bid document, and how to check quickly whether you can qualify.
What is a GeM tender?
On GeM, a tender is called a bid. A government buyer posts its requirement (what it needs, how many, where to deliver, and the rules to qualify), and registered sellers send offers before the end date. The buyer then checks which offers meet the conditions and usually picks the lowest price among them.
GeM bids replace a large share of old paper and e-tenders for goods and common services. Since buyers must follow government procurement rules, the same structure repeats in every bid, which makes GeM tenders easier to read once you’ve seen a few.
Bid number, decoded
Types of tenders (bids) on GeM
GeM bids differ in what is being bought, how prices are compared and how the offers are opened. Knowing the type tells you how much time you have and what you must upload.
Product bid
Items already in a GeM category with fixed specs. Your catalogue must match; usually the quickest to prepare.
Custom catalogue bid
The buyer writes the specifications. Read them line by line; usually open longer.
BOQ bid
Several items priced line by line in a Bill of Quantities sheet.
Service bid
Manpower, housekeeping, security, vehicles, IT. Experience and statutory compliance matter a lot.
Bid with RA
Qualified sellers lower prices live. Plan your lowest acceptable price in advance.
Single vs two packet
Two packet: technical part checked first, price opened only for those who qualify.
Minimum open periods are set by GeM rules; guides commonly cite around 10 days for category bids and 21 days for custom and BOQ bids. Always go by the end date printed on the bid.
How to find tenders on GeM (step by step)
There are three ways to find GeM tenders. Use the first to browse, the second to open a tender you already know, and the third to narrow by place or department.
Method 1 – Browse all open tenders (no login)
- Go to gem.gov.in and open Bids in the top menu.
- Click List of Bids. This opens the All Bids page.
- Choose Ongoing Bids/RA to see only open tenders.
- Type a keyword: an item name (“office chair”), a service (“housekeeping”), a ministry or a department. Switch between Contains and Exact search if results are too broad.
- Use the filters for bid type, high-value bids and bid end date, and sort by start or end date.
Method 2 – Open a tender by bid number
- Open Advanced Search on the GeM bids site.
- Under Search by Bid/RA details, paste the full bid number.
- Click Search and open the bid to see its details and document.
Method 3 – Find tenders by ministry, state or city
- By Ministry/Organisation: choose a ministry or state (one is required), then the department.
- By consignee location: choose the delivery state, and optionally the city. The best way to find tenders near you.
- By BOQ title: useful for project-type bids that keyword search may miss.
How to read a GeM bid document
Every GeM bid opens with a summary page called the bid document, which you can download as a PDF. Spend five minutes on these fields before you spend a day preparing documents.
| Field in the bid | What to check |
|---|---|
| Bid end date/time | Your deadline. Submit at least a day early. |
| Ministry / Department | Who is buying, and where payments come from |
| Item category and quantity | Whether your catalogue matches and you can supply it all |
| Minimum average annual turnover | Usually the last three years; compare with audited figures |
| Years of past experience | Similar supply to government/PSU buyers, with proof |
| MSE / Startup exemption | If Yes, eligible MSEs/startups may be exempt from experience and turnover |
| Documents required from seller | The exact list; a missing one usually means rejection |
| EMD detail | Amount, and whether MSEs and startups are exempt (What is EMD?) |
| ePBG detail | Performance security you give if you win, as % of order value |
| Bid to RA enabled | If Yes, a reverse auction may follow |
| Evaluation method | Total-value-wise or item-wise |
| MII / MSE purchase preference | Whether Make in India or MSE sellers get preference |
| ATC | Buyer-specific rules; many rejections come from here |
Can I bid? Quick check
Tick what’s true for you
0/6
Not yet. Sort out the unticked items first, or look for a bid that fits you better.
How to participate in a GeM tender
- Log in to gem.gov.in as a seller (login guide).
- Open the bid from Bids, or search it by bid number.
- Click “Participate” and choose the matching product from your catalogue (for custom and BOQ bids, fill the specification or price sheet).
- Upload documents exactly as listed: turnover and experience proof, OEM authorisation if asked, MSE/startup certificate, ATC documents.
- Pay EMD or upload exemption proof, if the bid asks for EMD.
- Enter your price and review the summary.
- e-Sign and submit before the end date, then download your receipt.
After submission, the bid moves through technical evaluation, then financial evaluation (and an RA if enabled).
7 practical tips to win more GeM tenders
- Bid where you qualify comfortably. Barely-meeting bids waste effort.
- Use MSE and startup benefits. Keep your Udyam/DPIIT certificate ready.
- Keep your catalogue clean. Right category, full specs, realistic price.
- Read the ATC first, price later. Most rejections come from a missed condition.
- Set your lowest price before an RA. Don’t quote a loss in the heat of bidding.
- Start local. Nearby deliveries are cheaper and build your rating.
- Submit early. Portal load is heavy near deadlines.
GeM tender – FAQ
Can I see GeM tenders without logging in?
Yes. The list of open bids and the bid documents are public. You only need to log in as a registered seller to submit an offer.
How do I find a GeM tender by bid number?
Open Advanced Search, choose “Search by Bid/RA details”, paste the full bid number (for example GEM/2026/B/1234567) and click Search.
How can I find GeM tenders in my state or city?
Use Advanced Search → Search by Consignee Location. Select your state, add the city if you want, and set the bid end date range.
Is there a GeM tender alert?
After you register as a seller, GeM shows bids that match your catalogue categories in your dashboard.
Can a new business with no experience bid on GeM?
Yes, if the bid allows MSE or startup exemption from experience and turnover. Otherwise, start with smaller bids.
Do I have to pay EMD for every GeM tender?
No. Many bids don’t ask for EMD, and where they do, eligible MSEs and startups are usually exempt.
How do I download a GeM bid document?
Open the bid and click the bid number; the bid document downloads as a PDF.
What is the difference between a GeM bid and a reverse auction?
In a bid, each seller sends one sealed price. In a reverse auction, qualified sellers lower prices live, and the lowest final price wins.
Are GeM tenders the same as CPPP tenders?
No. CPPP lists central government e-tenders, mostly works. GeM is a marketplace for goods and services with its own bids.
Bid rules and portal screens on GeM change from time to time. Always follow the bid document and gem.gov.in.
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