India’s digital procurement platform GeM sees MSMEs, women entrepreneurs and startups exceed procurement targets, securing ₹7.44 lakh crore in government contracts and reshaping public purchasing.
India’s government procurement landscape is increasingly being shaped by micro and small businesses, with digital platforms enabling broader participation across regions and communities.
As of November 2025, micro and small enterprises together account for 44.8 per cent of total order value transacted through the national public procurement platform, surpassing the statutory requirement of 25 per cent. More than 11.25 lakh MSE sellers have collectively secured contracts worth ₹7.44 lakh crore, signalling a structural shift in how government sourcing is conducted.
Inclusion Beyond Scale
The platform’s growing impact is visible in the diversity of enterprises securing high-value orders. Women-led firms, SC/ST-owned businesses and fast-scaling startups are now executing contracts across renewable energy, surveillance, infrastructure and technology services—sectors traditionally dominated by large players.
In November alone, a Gujarat-based women-led enterprise executed renewable energy orders exceeding ₹53 crore, while an SC/ST-owned firm from Maharashtra supported surveillance infrastructure worth ₹29 crore. A Mumbai-based startup also secured technology contracts amounting to ₹191 crore, highlighting the ability of young enterprises to rapidly scale through public procurement opportunities.
Rising Role of Women Entrepreneurs
Women-owned MSEs are playing an increasingly prominent role. With more than 2 lakh active women-led enterprises, cumulative procurement value has crossed ₹78,000 crore. Structured initiatives focused on awareness, training and easier onboarding have helped improve access and confidence among women entrepreneurs entering government supply chains.
Digital Procurement with Policy Support
The procurement framework combines digital efficiency with policy-backed incentives. Features such as seller identification filters, purchase preferences, EMD relaxations and eased eligibility norms are designed to lower entry barriers for smaller enterprises, without compromising transparency or performance standards.
A More Inclusive Procurement Framework
By widening participation and enabling regional enterprises to compete on equal footing, India’s digital procurement approach is reinforcing inclusive growth. The increasing contribution of MSEs reflects a broader policy intent—where public spending not only meets operational needs but also strengthens domestic enterprise capabilities.
As government procurement continues to modernise, the growing presence of small, women-led and community-based businesses signals a future where opportunity is driven by capability rather than scale alone.
