Government buying in India happens on several platforms. Knowing which one fits your business saves registration time and money.
| Platform | What is bought | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| GeM | Common goods and services: office supplies, equipment, vehicles, manpower, cleaning, IT and more | GeM seller account and catalogue |
| CPPP (eprocure.gov.in) | Tenders of central ministries, departments and many PSUs, including works and larger contracts | Bidder enrolment and Class 3 DSC |
| State portals | Tenders of state departments, municipal bodies and state PSUs | Separate enrolment on each state portal and Class 3 DSC |
How to decide
- You sell standard products or common services: start with GeM.
- You do construction, civil or large contract work: CPPP and your state's portal matter most.
- You work in one or two states: register on those state portals plus GeM.
Good to know
- Many state portals run on the same NIC e-procurement system as CPPP, so the screens look similar. Enrolment is still separate.
- Some PSUs and departments use their own portals in addition to these.
- A Class 3 DSC works across portals, but it must be mapped to your enrolment on each one.
SoftTender is a private consultancy. We are not affiliated with GeM, CPPP, NSIC or any Government department. Registration on official portals such as GeM is free; we charge only for our assistance service. We do not guarantee that any tender will be awarded.