The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Common Service Centre e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC-SPV) to expand access to government procurement opportunities across the country, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
The partnership aims to strengthen the participation of small businesses, rural entrepreneurs, self-help groups, artisans, and service providers in the public procurement ecosystem.
The agreement marks a significant expansion of the existing GeM-CSC collaboration established in 2022 and adopts a more comprehensive and outcome-oriented approach to support sellers throughout the procurement process.
Key Highlights of the MoU:
Under the new framework, 50 GeM Suvidha Kendras (GSKs) will initially be established on a pilot basis through the CSC network across selected states. These centres will function as dedicated facilitation hubs providing guidance, training, onboarding assistance, and support related to GeM processes.
The collaboration will also facilitate:
Vendor Assessment
Brand Approval
Product and Service Catalogue creation
Catalogue publication on the GeM portal
Seller onboarding and training support
The initiative seeks to simplify the entire procurement process and enable wider participation in government procurement.
About Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is India's national public procurement portal for online purchase of goods and services by government ministries, departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and other eligible entities.
Key Facts:
Launched: 9 August 2016
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Objective: Transparent, efficient, and inclusive public procurement
Nature: Paperless, cashless, and contactless platform
Procurement through GeM has been made mandatory under Rule 149 of General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017.
GeM replaced the erstwhile Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D).
About Common Service Centres (CSCs)
The Common Service Centres (CSCs) are physical digital access points established under the Digital India Programme to deliver government and business services in rural and remote areas.
Key Features:
Implemented under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Operated through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs)
Provide e-governance, financial, educational, healthcare, and digital services
Over 6 lakh CSCs function across India, creating a robust last-mile digital delivery network.
Additional Key Facts
General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017
The General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017 provide guidelines for government procurement and financial management.
Rule 149 mandates procurement through the GeM portal for government entities.
Aims to ensure transparency, competition, and efficiency in public procurement.
Digital India Programme
Launched in 2015
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Vision: Transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Public Procurement in India
Public procurement accounts for a significant share of India's GDP and plays an important role in:
Promoting MSMEs
Encouraging innovation
Supporting local manufacturing
Enhancing transparency and accountability
Exam Focus Points (Quick Revision Notes)
MoU Signed Between → GeM and CSC-SPV
Objective → Expand access to government procurement
New Initiative → GeM Suvidha Kendras (GSKs)
Initial Pilot Centres → 50
Nodal Ministry for GeM → Ministry of Commerce and Industry
GeM Launch Year → 2016
CSC Nodal Ministry → Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Related Rule → Rule 149 of GFR, 2017
Key Beneficiaries → MSMEs, SHGs, Startups, Rural Entrepreneurs
Related Programme → Digital India
UPSC - 2027 - Prelims cum Mains - New Batch Starts on 24-06-2026 
