Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: India’s public procurement ecosystem has undergone a remarkable digital transformation in recent years. Building on this momentum, a new digital revolution is quietly unfolding, not in the procurement of goods and services, but in the disposal of Government assets. This transformation is being driven by the forward auction module of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
While GeM is widely recognised as a digital platform for transparent and efficient procurement, its forward auction module offers a fully online bidding mechanism that enables ministries and departments to sell their assets. Through a fully digital and secure interface, every asset sale is now run through a paperless, cashless, and contactless system designed to eliminate delays and inefficiency. The result is two-fold – higher realisation from scrap disposal, and a fair outcome for all stakeholders.
Public procurement
GeM is a secure, end-to-end digital platform that facilitates the procurement and disposal of goods and services by Government departments, public sector units, and affiliated bodies. It drives inclusive growth in public procurement through initiatives that empower startups, MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and Self-help Groups to access Government markets. As of November 2025, GeM has processed nearly 3.27 crore orders with a cumulative gross merchandise value (GMV) exceeding Rs 16.41 lakh crore. The platform supports over 10,894 product categories and 348 service categories. Over 24 lakh sellers and service providers have completed their profiles on GeM. Notably, MSEs play a key role, contributing 44.8 per cent of the cumulative order value. With over 11 lakh MSEs registered, these enterprises have collectively received orders worth over Rs 7.35 lakh crore.
Digital revolution
Recognising the requirement and potential of auctions as a tool for channelising public resources, GeM’s forward auctions are transforming the way India disposes Government assets. This digital revolution offers a flexible environment encompassing bidding and auction management, user-friendly navigation and is designed to increase speed, transparency and efficiency. A forward auction is a digital bidding process where Government departments are the sellers, and registered bidders compete to buy the listed assets. While the departments can set reserve prices for the assets, the bidder with the highest offer wins.
A diverse range of Government assets are brought onto the digital marketplace including: e-waste and IT equipment; machinery; scrap and disposables, including used lube oil and metal and nonmetal items; land and buildings offered on lease for residential, commercial, and institutional purposes; end-of-life vehicles; and subletting and leasing of properties, such as dormitories, parking facilities, and toll booths One-stop marketplace By pooling all these asset types on a single platform, GeM has effectively created a one-stop marketplace. This nationwide initiative not only introduces unprecedented transparency but also accelerates processes that were earlier fragmented, time-consuming, and heavily dependent on paperwork.
From December 2021 to November 2025, the module has facilitated auctions worth Rs 2,200+ crore, conducted over 13,000 auctions, welcomed 23,000+ registered bidders, and enabled participation from more than 17,000 auctioneers. The digital module aligns with national priorities under Minimum Government, Maximum Governance, embedding speed, fairness, and value creation into the disposal of public assets. With departments now able to set reserve prices, define participation criteria, and monitor bidding, the asset disposal process has evolved into a transparent, competitive and value-maximising mechanism.
Remarkable returns
With remarkable returns and efficiencies, the real-world results of digital auctions speak volumes.
The State Bank of India recently auctioned 100 EWS flats in Aliganj, Lucknow. Through a cluster-wise GeM forward auction, these flats fetched Rs 34.53 crore, surpassing expectations.
National Zoological Park, New Delhi had long struggled to dispose of unusable and obsolete articles. Using GeM’s forward auction, it put the material up for bid and received competitive offers.
The Food Corporation of India (Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India) sold screened gypsum, yielding Rs 3.35 crore. Around 261 condemned vehicles were disposed of in Jammu through the GeM portal. Similarly, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) successfully auctioned salvaged items.
By placing assets on a transparent digital platform and inviting broad market participation, the process ensures fair price discovery, faster outcomes, and optimal value realisation
