GeM Fees, Documents & Timelines — The Page Consultants Don't Publish
Quick answer: GeM registration is free, and caution money was discontinued in 2026 (Revenue Policy v1.6 — confirm on gem.gov.in). Real costs: Vendor Assessment ₹11,200 + GST for OEMs/select categories, and a 0.30% transaction charge on orders ₹10 lakh–₹10 crore (nil below ₹10 lakh).
The most common question about GeM is also the one most consultant websites dodge: "what will this actually cost me, and what exactly do I need?" Here are the straight answers — government charges, refundable deposits, our role, and a checklist you can act on today.
What the government charges (and doesn't)
- Seller registration: free. Anyone charging you a "GeM government registration fee" is mislabelling their service fee.
- Caution money: discontinued (2026). Under GeM Revenue Policy v1.6, the old ₹5,000/₹10,000/₹25,000 turnover-slab deposits were removed for new sellers. Already deposited earlier? It's withdrawable: Dashboard → Manage Caution Money Account → Recalculate Threshold → Withdraw Excess Funds (to your PFMS-verified bank account). Policy revisions do occur — verify current status on gem.gov.in Seller Corner before relying on it.
- Vendor assessment: ₹11,200 + GST. Conducted by RITES (which replaced QCI in 2024), required mainly for OEMs and certain quality-marked categories, with policy exemptions for specific seller classes. Many authorised resellers skip it entirely — verify your category before paying.
- Transaction charge: 0.30% on order value between ₹10 lakh and ₹10 crore, a flat ₹3 lakh above ₹10 crore, and nil below ₹10 lakh — plus an Annual Milestone Charge of ₹10,000 once cumulative Seller Merchandise Value crosses ₹20 lakh.
The complete documents checklist
- PAN (proprietor / firm / company as applicable)
- GST registration certificate
- Bank account details with cancelled cheque
- Udyam (MSME) certificate — unlocks EMD exemptions and purchase preference
- Authorised person's Aadhaar with linked mobile (OTP verification)
- Business address proof
- For brand/OEM routes: trademark certificate or brand authorisation letter
- ITR details for turnover-based features, where sought
Realistic timelines
Registration: 3–5 working days with the checklist complete. Catalogue live: same week if specifications and images are ready. Vendor assessment (where needed): additional weeks depending on the agency's schedule — start early if your category demands it. First bid participation: often within the first fortnight.
Ready to start? Full service scope on our GeM & tender consultancy page — Bihar sellers see GeM registration Patna for eProc 2.0 support.
Straight answers first. Registration next. Bids after that.
Frequently asked questions
Is GeM seller registration really free?
Yes — GeM charges nothing for seller registration itself. Costs arise later: caution money (a refundable security by turnover slab), vendor assessment fees where applicable, and a small transaction charge on order value above thresholds. Consultant fees, including ours, are for professional setup and management — never a government registration fee.
Is GeM caution money still required in 2026?
No — under GeM Revenue Policy v1.6, the caution money deposit (previously ₹5,000–₹25,000 by turnover slab) has been discontinued. Existing deposits can be withdrawn from the seller dashboard (Manage Caution Money Account → Withdraw Excess Funds) to a PFMS-verified bank account. Verify current status on gem.gov.in, as portal policies are revised periodically.
Is vendor assessment mandatory and what does it cost?
It is required mainly for OEMs and certain quality-marked categories; resellers with OEM authorisation often do not need it. It carries an official fee payable to GeM's designated assessing agency, with exemptions for specific seller classes per current policy — we confirm your exact requirement before you pay anything.
What documents should I keep ready?
PAN, GST registration, bank account with cancelled cheque, Udyam certificate for MSME benefits, the authorised person's Aadhaar linked with mobile, business address proof, and for OEM/brand routes a trademark or brand-authorisation document. With this set complete, registration typically finishes in 3-5 working days.