GeM Fees, Documents & Timelines — The Page Consultants Don't Publish
Quick answer: GeM registration is free, and caution money is no longer required — discontinued for all sellers since August 2025 (per an official PIB release on GeM's 9th Foundation Day reforms). 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).
Last verified 4 October 2026 — rules on this page checked against the current notifications. We update it the day a rule changes.
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)
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Seller registration | Free — anyone charging a "GeM registration fee" is mislabelling their service fee |
| Caution money | Discontinued for all sellers, effective August 2025 (PIB-confirmed); already-deposited amounts are withdrawable |
| Vendor assessment | ₹11,200 + GST, via RITES — mainly for OEMs and certain quality-marked categories |
| Transaction charge | 0.30% on order value ₹10 lakh–₹10 crore; flat ₹3 lakh above ₹10 crore; nil below ₹10 lakh |
| Annual Milestone Charge | ₹10,000 once cumulative Seller Merchandise Value crosses ₹20 lakh |
Revenue Policy v1.5 — the official numbers (from 9 August 2024)
| Item | Position |
|---|---|
| Transaction charge — order value up to ₹10 lakh | Nil |
| Above ₹10 lakh up to ₹10 crore | 0.30% of order value |
| Above ₹10 crore | Flat ₹3 lakh |
| Annual Milestone Charge | ₹10,000 + GST once a seller's merchandise value in a financial year reaches ₹20 lakh |
| Exempt bodies | KVIC, ACASH, TRIFED, WDO, Coir Board |
| Vendor assessment | Conducted by RITES (GeM seller FAQ), report within 15 working days; the old QCI fee of ₹11,200 + GST is superseded — current RITES slabs are quoted from the portal at the time of request |
| Caution money | GeM's seller FAQ still lists slabs of ₹5,000 (turnover below ₹1 crore), ₹10,000 (₹1–10 crore) and ₹25,000 (above), refundable, with exemptions for artisans, weavers, SC/ST- and women-owned MSEs; GeM communications have described it as discontinued with refunds — we confirm the live requirement on your account at registration |
| Buying modes (GFR Rule 149, DoE OM 10 July 2024) | Up to ₹50,000: any GeM seller · ₹50,000–₹10 lakh: lowest-priced (L1) seller · above ₹10 lakh: bid or reverse auction mandatory |
| EMD / ePBG | Udyam MSEs and DPIIT startups exempt from EMD; performance security per GFR 171 (3–5% for goods and services) |
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
We collect and check this list against your specific seller category before submission — most rejections come from one missing or mismatched document, not from anything complicated.
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.
We manage every stage of this timeline for you — registration filing, catalogue setup, and the vendor assessment application where it applies — so you're bidding as soon as the portal allows.
Ready to start? Full service scope on our GeM & tender consultancy page — Bihar sellers see GeM registration Patna for eProc 2.0 support.
Account suspended or an incident raised? GeM suspension & dispute resolution.
Bidding outside GeM too? NSIC Single Point Registration — free tender sets, EMD exemption, L1 + 15% matching (₹3,000 / ₹5,000).
Director compliance: DIN, DSC and DIR-3 KYC — now once every three years.
Straight answers first. Registration next. Bids after that.
Our methodology: precision, persistence, presence
- Procedural mastery — we prepare every file to meet the specific technical criteria of the relevant department, minimising queries and delays.
- Dedicated coordination — consistent follow-up on your application so it keeps moving through the standard workflow.
- Compliance-first documentation — built to withstand scrutiny, protecting your business from future audits or objections.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get back the caution money I paid earlier?
GeM discontinued caution money under its revised revenue policy and is refunding earlier deposits to the seller's verified bank account — GeM's advisory describes credit within 24 hours of processing. Check the refund status in your seller dashboard; if the bank account on file has changed, update and re-verify it first, which is where most refunds stall.
Are startups and women- or SC/ST-owned MSEs exempt from vendor assessment?
Several categories are exempt or get relaxed terms — DPIIT-recognised startups and MSEs in notified categories among them — and GeM has rationalised the assessment fee for the rest. We check your category against the current GeM policy before you pay for an assessment you may not need.
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 — caution money (previously ₹5,000–₹25,000 by turnover slab) was discontinued for all sellers effective August 2025, confirmed via an official PIB release marking GeM's 9th Foundation Day. Existing deposits can be withdrawn from the seller dashboard (Manage Caution Money Account → Withdraw Excess Funds) to a PFMS-verified bank account. This is separate from the Annual Milestone Charge, which still applies and predates this change.
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.
Do I need a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for GeM?
Not for basic seller registration or catalogue listing, but a Class 3 DSC is typically required for participating in bids and reverse auctions above certain thresholds.
How long is GeM registration valid, and does it need renewal?
GeM seller registration itself doesn't expire, but profile details (bank, GST, Udyam) need to stay current — an outdated bank or GST status can quietly block your payments or bids until corrected.