menu_book

Current Affairs Pulse

Agreements & MoUs15 Jun 2026

GeM signs MoU with CSC-SPV to set up 50 GeM Suvidha Kendras across nine states

8 sections below — scroll or usetocto jump
  • 1

    The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) signed an MoU with CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd (CSC-SPV) to expand public procurement access in rural and underserved areas.

  • 2

    Under the pilot, 50 GeM Suvidha Kendras (GSKs) will be set up via the CSC network across nine states/regions.

  • 3

    It was signed by Ajit B. Chavan (Additional CEO, GeM) and Subodh Mishra (SVP, CSC-SPV) in New Delhi.

  • 4

    Beneficiaries include MSEs, women entrepreneurs, startups, SHGs, FPOs, artisans and weavers.

  • ●Partners: Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and CSC-SPV
  • ●Goal: expand procurement access for rural/underserved sellers
  • ●50 GeM Suvidha Kendras (GSKs) on a pilot basis via the CSC network
  • ●States/regions: Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, UP, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal
  • ●Signatories: Ajit B. Chavan (Addl CEO, GeM) and Subodh Mishra (SVP, CSC-SPV)

Government e-Marketplace (GeM)

India's National Public Procurement Portal for goods and services bought by government buyers

Head: Functions under the Department of CommerceHQ: New Delhi

CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd (CSC-SPV)

Special Purpose Vehicle running the Common Service Centres network for last-mile digital services

Head: Operates under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)HQ: New Delhi
GeM was launched on 9 August 2016 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to make government procurement transparent and paperless, replacing the older Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D). CSC-SPV, incorporated in 2009 under MeitY, anchors the Common Service Centres of the Digital India programme. The MoU plugs GeM into this last-mile network so that small sellers can complete vendor assessment, brand approval and catalogue creation locally.
  • ●Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)
  • ●Women entrepreneurs and startups
  • ●Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
  • ●Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
  • ●Artisans and weavers
Many small and rural sellers struggle to onboard onto GeM due to lack of digital support. By using CSC-run Suvidha Kendras for registration, training and onboarding, the MoU aims to widen the seller base, deepen financial inclusion and bring more MSEs, SHGs and FPOs into formal government procurement.

Exam Relevance

ssc

General Awareness > Government Initiatives & MoUs

banking

General Awareness > Financial Inclusion & MSME

upsc

GS Paper III > Economy > Public Procurement & MSMEs

Expected Questions

  • ★GeM operates under which Union Ministry?
  • ★How many GeM Suvidha Kendras are to be set up under the GeM-CSC MoU?

Key Terms

GeM

Government e-Marketplace, the National Public Procurement Portal launched in 2016 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

GeM Suvidha Kendra (GSK)

Physical facilitation centre that helps small sellers register and onboard on the GeM platform.

priority_highMust Remember

  • •GeM launched: 9 August 2016, under Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • •MoU sets up 50 GeM Suvidha Kendras across 9 states/regions (pilot)
  • •CSC-SPV functions under MeitY

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

  • •Remember the ministry pairing: GeM = Commerce & Industry; CSC-SPV = MeitY.
Question 1 of 3Score: 0/0
Factual

Under the GeM-CSC MoU (June 2026), how many GeM Suvidha Kendras are to be established on a pilot basis?

articleMore from 15 Jun 2026

National

Pralhad Joshi launches AI-based Smart Warehousing System for foodgrain storage

Schemes & Committees

Govt sets up Search-cum-Selection Committee for National Sports Board under T.V. Somanathan

National

I4C launches GRM and Money Restoration Module portals to fight cybercrime