Women-led businesses clock ₹28,000 crore turnover on GeM portal; how has their presence in government procurement grown?

The participation of women entrepreneurs in government procurement is rising rapidly. Through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, government departments have procured goods and services worth over ₹28,000 crore from women-led micro and small enterprises since its inception. This information was revealed in the annual report released on GeM’s 10th foundation day. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the country’s government procurement framework has now become completely digital and transparent.

What is the scale of business conducted on the GeM portal?

Currently, there are 1.37 lakh government buyers on the GeM portal, transacting with approximately 25 lakh sellers. Total government procurement worth around ₹20 lakh crore has been executed through the portal so far, with significant participation from micro and small enterprises across the country. Notably, more than 2.1 lakh of these micro and small enterprises are run by women.

How significant has the GeM market become for women entrepreneurs?

Procurement worth over ₹28,000 crore from women-led enterprises demonstrates that these businesses are becoming key suppliers to government departments. The GeM portal has created a digital bridge between government procurement and businesses, offering women entrepreneurs the opportunity to supply their products and services to government departments.

How has the Indian Army led the way in government procurement?

The role of the defense sector in promoting ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ has also come to the fore. Out of the total procurement of approximately ₹20 lakh crore via the GeM portal, the Indian Army alone procured goods and services worth ₹1.35 lakh crore. According to the report, the Army accounted for 14.93% of the total government procurement on the GeM portal, highlighting its major role in the process.

How many MSMEs from Karnataka are registered on GeM?

Across the country, 11.75 lakh MSMEs are registered on the GeM portal. Among these, the highest number of MSMEs—55,053—are from Karnataka. Bengaluru also accounts for a significant share of the total sellers from the state; 16,091 entrepreneurs hail from Bengaluru alone. These figures indicate strong business participation from Karnataka—and Bengaluru in particular—in digital government procurement.