Government Tenders FAQ
Clear answers to the most common questions about finding and bidding on government tenders in India.
Common questions
What is a government tender?
A government tender is a public invitation issued by a government department, PSU, or agency asking suppliers to bid for goods, services, or works. It ensures transparent, competitive procurement.
Who can apply for government tenders in India?
Any registered business — proprietorship, partnership, LLP, private limited, or public company — can apply if it meets the eligibility criteria such as turnover, experience, licences, and registrations.
Where can I find active government tenders?
Tenders are published on official portals like GeM, CPPP/eProcure, and state e-procurement websites. TenderHub aggregates them so you can search by category, state, value, and closing date in one place.
What is GeM?
GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is India’s online platform for procurement of common-use goods and services by central government organisations. Sellers must register on GeM to participate.
What is CPPP / eProcure?
CPPP (Central Public Procurement Portal) at eprocure.gov.in publishes tenders from central government departments and PSUs that fall outside GeM. It covers high-value works, services, and specialised goods.
What is EMD in a tender?
EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) is a refundable security deposit bidders submit to show seriousness. It is returned to unsuccessful bidders and adjusted or refunded to the successful bidder after contract award.
Do I need GST registration to apply for tenders?
Most tenders require a valid GST registration. Some low-value or specific category tenders may exempt micro businesses, but GST is generally mandatory.
How do MSMEs get preference in government tenders?
MSMEs registered under Udyam may receive fee waivers, relaxed turnover criteria, price preference, and exclusive tenders in certain categories through the Public Procurement Policy.
What documents are required for a tender application?
Common documents include PAN, GST certificate, bank details, cancelled cheque, Udyam/MSME certificate, digital signature, tender fee receipt, EMD, and technical/financial bid documents.
How do I get alerts for new tenders?
Use TenderHub’s alert signup to get email notifications for keywords, categories, states, or buyers. You can also monitor official portals directly.
What is the difference between GeM and CPPP?
GeM is for common-use goods and services with catalogues and reverse auctions. CPPP/eProcure publishes larger, project-specific tenders for works, services, and specialised procurement.
Can I bid on tenders outside my state?
Yes. Most central government tenders are open nationwide. State tenders may sometimes restrict participation to local vendors, but many are open to all eligible Indian bidders.
What happens after I submit a bid?
After submission, the buyer evaluates technical and financial bids, may hold a pre-bid meeting, opens financial bids for technically qualified bidders, and awards the contract to the lowest responsive bidder or as per evaluation criteria.
What is a corrigendum?
A corrigendum is an amendment to a tender notice. It may change dates, quantities, eligibility, or technical specifications. Always check for corrigenda before bidding.
Is TenderHub an official government portal?
No. TenderHub is an independent aggregator. We collect public tender data and link every tender back to the official source so you can verify and bid directly.