GeM Vendor Assessment Exemption Guide: Approved Categories, Mandatory Documents, and RITES Evaluation

The GeM Portal follows strict quality and compliance standards to ensure reliable procurement for government buyers. To maintain these standards, GeM mandates Vendor Assessment for sellers, especially Original Equipment Manufacturers and select reseller categories. However, GeM also provides a Vendor Assessment Exemption facility for eligible vendors, allowing them to skip the detailed Vendor Assessment and video inspection process.
GeM Vendor Assessment Exemption is applicable only to vendors who fall under notified exempted categories. Eligible vendors must submit the required exemption documents through the Assessment Exemption tab on the GeM portal. One key advantage of this exemption is that no Vendor Assessment fee is charged, making it a cost-free compliance route for qualified sellers.
The GeM platform considers multiple factors such as turnover, product type, certifications, and organizational structure while granting Vendor Assessment Exemption. Central and State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are automatically eligible. Small-scale sellers with products priced below ₹25,000 per unit and annual turnover under ₹5 lakh may qualify, excluding OEMs. Vendors dealing in specialized or non-standard products such as handicrafts, artwork, or customized goods may also be exempted.
Exemption is further extended to registered societies or trusts acting as resellers, and to organizations like KVIC, TRIFED, WDO, and the Coir Board. OEMs registered with NSIC for specific product categories, BIS license holders, and manufacturers holding certifications from DRDO, OFB, or SITRA are also eligible. Additional exemptions apply to vaccine manufacturers, drug and medicine manufacturers with valid licenses, medical device manufacturers, and OEMs holding valid CMVR certificates. Any other category approved by the CEO of the GeM portal may also be granted exemption. In case of policy changes, affected vendors must complete Vendor Assessment within one month of notification.
To obtain Vendor Assessment Exemption, vendors must submit a comprehensive set of documents to validate eligibility. These include financial statements such as Form AOC-4 and MGT-7 filed with the MCA, BEN-2 filings, beneficial ownership declarations, director and shareholder details, IEC certificate, and company master data. Joint venture entities must submit documents for all JV partners along with agreements. All documents must be self-attested or digitally signed by the authorized signatory.
The exemption process begins by logging into the GeM portal and navigating to the Vendor Assessment section under My Account. Vendors must upload the required documents in the Assessment Exemption tab and then raise a new exemption request. OEMs must select the relevant exemption criteria, enter category-wise details such as production capacity and past sales data, upload unique certification documents, and submit the request. Resellers follow a simpler process by uploading applicable documents and submitting the exemption request.
Once submitted, the Vendor Assessment Exemption application is reviewed by RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service), the third-party agency responsible for validation. RITES typically verifies the submitted documents within two working days. Vendors can track the status and remarks under the assessor response section. Upon successful verification, the vendor receives Vendor Assessment Exemption on the GeM portal.
GeM Vendor Assessment Exemption enables eligible OEMs and resellers to access full GeM Portal functionalities without undergoing the standard assessment process. Vendors who qualify under the exemption categories must carefully follow the prescribed process to ensure smooth approval and uninterrupted participation on the GeM platform.
TendersPlus helps the vendors in completing the end to end process from GeM Registration to tender bidding and Tender information to result status with the support of our expert GeM Consultancy team. Vendors can register or contact us at [e-mail] or call [phone] to Maximize your business growth with TendersPlus today!