GeM Observes Incorporation Day 2026; Continues to Support Digital Public Procurement System in India

📌 Summary:

• Government e Marketplace (GeM) observed Incorporation Day 2026 — established under the Companies Act 2013 on 17 May 2017 as a Section 8 non-profit SPV under Ministry of Commerce
• GeM aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Viksit Bharat 2047 — supports domestic enterprises through government procurement
• Class-1 local supplier participation across pharma, transport, construction equipment, furniture, textiles, medical consumables
• Platform scale: 1.36 lakh+ government buyers; ~25 lakh sellers/service providers; ~72% active sellers are MSEs (Micro & Small Enterprises)
• FY 2025-26 transactions: 11 lakh+ MSEs received 51 lakh+ orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore
• Inclusion metrics: Women-led MSEs secured orders > ₹28,000 crore; SC/ST entrepreneurs > ₹6,000 crore; Startups > ₹19,000 crore
• CEO GeM Shri Mihir Kumar: GeM is a "transparent, efficient and inclusive digital procurement platform"
• Incorporation Day initiatives: GeM Vendor Assessment Workshop (15 May 2026); "GeM Manthan" (21 May 2026, theme: "Enriching the GeM Marketplace"); Defence Services brainstorming session (22 May 2026) for Defence procurement alignment

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Governance & e-governance: digital public procurement, transparency, inclusion (MSE, women, SC/ST, startups). Links to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local. Demonstrates Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) approach to procurement reform.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• GeM incorporated: 17 May 2017 under Companies Act 2013
• GeM structure: Section 8 non-profit Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under Ministry of Commerce
• Buyers on GeM: ~1.36 lakh; Sellers: ~25 lakh; MSE share: ~72%
• FY 2025-26: 51 lakh+ orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore for MSEs
• Women-led MSE orders: > ₹28,000 crore; SC/ST: > ₹6,000 crore; Startups: > ₹19,000 crore

🔑 Key Term: GeM (Government e Marketplace) — A digital public procurement platform that enables online procurement of goods and services by central/state government departments and PSUs, ensuring transparency, efficiency and inclusive market access.