GeM Seller Registration: Requirements, Process, and Tips

GeM rejects roughly 15–20% of seller registration applicationson first attempt. The reasons are almost always the same: document mismatches, incorrect category selection, or incomplete bank verification. Here's how to get it right the first time.

Eligibility Requirements

• Active GSTIN — your GST registration must be active, not suspended or cancelled. Return filing must be current.
• PAN — must match the entity name on your GST registration exactly. “Pvt Ltd” vs “Private Limited” causes mismatches.
• Aadhaar — the authorized signatory's Aadhaar, linked to an active mobile number for OTP verification.
• Bank account — current account in the entity's name (not a savings or personal account for companies/LLPs).
• Valid business registration — incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or MSME/Udyam certificate.

OEM, Reseller, or Service Provider?

GeM treats these differently during registration:

• OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) — you manufacture the product. You can list directly and authorize resellers.
• Reseller — you sell products made by others. You need an authorization letter from each OEM whose products you list.
• Service Provider — you offer services (IT, manpower, consulting, cleaning, etc.). Register under service categories with defined SLAs.

A single entity can register as both OEM and reseller for different categories.

Category Selection

GeM has 11,000+ product categories and 330+ service categories. Choose carefully:

• Only list categories where you can actually deliver. GeM tracks seller performance — order cancellations hurt your rating.
• Use the category search on GeM to find the right match. Don't pick a broad category if a specific one exists.
• You can add more categories after registration. Start with your strongest 3–5.

Approval Timeline

After submission, GeM's automated system verifies PAN and GST against government databases. If everything matches, basic approval takes 2–5 working days.

Brand approval (for OEMs listing under their brand) can take longer — up to7–15 days— as it requires manual verification of brand ownership documents.

Common Rejection Reasons

• Name mismatch — entity name on PAN, GST, and bank account don't match. Even abbreviation differences cause rejection.
• Inactive GST — GST returns not filed for 2+ consecutive periods leads to suspension. GeM checks this.
• Bank verification failure — GeM does a penny-drop test. If the account is dormant, frozen, or the name doesn't match, verification fails.
• Blurry documents — uploaded documents must be legible. Scan at 200+ DPI.
• Wrong entity type — selecting “company” when you're a proprietorship, or vice versa.

After Approval: First Steps

1. Complete your seller profile — add company description, logo, address
2. List your first products/services with accurate specifications and competitive pricing
3. Upload product images (mandatory for most categories)
4. Set your delivery timelines realistically — these are contractually binding
5. Start with “Direct Purchase” orders (under ₹25,000) to build your GeM rating