How to List Your Products on GeM

Accepting an order you cannot fulfill triggers an account review

If you accept a GeM order and then cancel because you cannot supply the product at the listed price or do not have inventory, GeM flags your account for review. Multiple cancellations after acceptance lead to suspension. Only list products you can reliably supply at the listed price.

GeM stores your price history and buyers can see it

Government buyers can view your historical pricing. A product that was ₹1,000 last month and is suddenly ₹700 today looks suspicious — and some buyers avoid such listings, assuming the quality has dropped or the earlier price was inflated. Adjust prices gradually if you need to cut them.

Incomplete specification fields do not cause immediate rejection — they cause late rejection

GeM may approve your listing initially and then reject it weeks later during a periodic audit if specification fields are empty or inconsistent. You will not be notified clearly — your listing simply disappears from search. Fill every field at the time of creation.

Being the cheapest is not enough if your listing looks incomplete to buyers

Government buyers prefer listings that look complete and professional. A listing with one blurry image, half-filled specifications, and no product description will lose to a listing at 5% higher price that has 5 images, complete specs, and a clear description. Price gets buyers to click. Completeness closes the order.

How do I find the right GeM catalogue category for my product?

Go to gem.gov.in and use the product search to look for your item. Note which category existing listings appear under. If multiple categories exist, choose the one with fewer sellers and the most relevant specification sheet — that sheet determines what fields you must fill. Misclassifying your product will cause silent rejection after review.

Does GeM have minimum image quality requirements?

Yes. GeM requires at least one primary product image. In practice, listings with fewer than 3 images or blurry images are deprioritised by buyers. Use a white or plain background, minimum 800x800 pixels, and photograph the product from front, side, and top angles. Buyers in government offices often view images on low-resolution monitors — clarity at smaller sizes matters.

Can I change my price after listing?

Yes. You can update your price at any time from your seller dashboard. However, GeM stores price history and buyers can see historical prices. Dramatic price drops can flag your listing for review. Adjust pricing gradually — 5–10% increments — rather than sudden large changes.

My product category requires a BIS certification I do not have. What do I do?

You cannot list in that category without the mandatory certification. Either apply for the BIS certification (process takes 3–6 months and costs ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 depending on product) or search for a secondary GeM category that covers your product without the certification requirement. Some categories have an "unbranded" sub-category with fewer certification requirements.

Why is my listing not appearing in GeM search results?

The most common reasons are: price is above the median for your category, listing is incomplete (empty specification fields), account is still under review, or your product is in a low-traffic category. Check your listing completeness score in the seller dashboard and ensure every mandatory field is filled. Then check your price against the top 5 lowest-priced competitors.

Can I list the same product in multiple GeM categories?

No. Each product can only be listed in one primary category. However, if your product genuinely fits two categories (e.g. a cleaning product that could be listed under both cleaning supplies and hygiene products), you can create separate listings for each product variant — different pack sizes, different specifications — and list each under the most relevant category.