SIA-India Signs Landmark MoU with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to accelerate Geospatial Mission
New Delhi: SIA-India and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) have signed a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming to promote the integration of space-tech products, geospatial data, and related services into government decision-making while streamlining their procurement through the GeM portal.
The GeM portal, serving as India’s national public procurement platform, facilitates the acquisition of goods and services by all Central and State Government Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Units (PSUs), and autonomous bodies, with all 28 states onboard. This collaboration between SIA-India and GeM will accelerate the adoption of geospatial solutions, fostering a more efficient, data-driven approach to governance and infrastructure development.
GeM has transformed public procurement since its inception in 2016 by facilitating over 2.5 crore orders with a gross merchandise value (GMV) exceeding Rs 11 lakh crore, including services GMV of Rs 4.84 lakh crore. The platform has already led to savings exceeding INR 45,000 crore for the government, surpassing renowned international procurement systems such as South Korea’s KONEPS and Singapore’s GeBIZ.
This collaboration between SIA-India and GeM will enable seamless participation of MSMEs and startups in Government procurement of Space solutions, enhancing accessibility, transparency, and cost efficiency for government agencies. This collaboration will promote inclusivity by ensuring equal opportunities for MSMEs, startups, and industry players. While India’s geospatial market, including domestic and exports, is estimated to be worth approximately $3.33 billion (Rs 27,650 crore) in 2025, and by 2030, the industry is predicted to grow to $7.59 billion (Rs 63,000 crore). Inclusion of space technology and geospatial data & services on GeM will integrate an economy that is growing with a CAGR of 15%. Currently, the estimated expenditure by government agencies, defence, and PSUs for geospatial services alone is $3 billion (₹22,500 crore) in 2024. Integrating space-tech procurement into GeM could serve as the critical bridge to unlocking this potential and transforming India’s space economy.
The Geospatial Mission is expected to develop foundational geospatial infrastructure and data. Geospatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). GeM’s inclusion of space data and services will streamline procurement with predefined criteria, online ordering, and integrated payments, making it more accessible despite the high costs of space tech and geospatial services. The platform enhances transparency through centralized operations and advanced analytics, ensuring fair cost comparisons and helping government agencies get the best value. It also supports compliance measures and fosters accountability.
“GeM, will broaden its bouquet of specialised services with the inclusion of spaceborne platforms like satellites for remote sensing applications in addition to drones and in-situ data devices. This initiative will drive economic growth and position GeM as an innovation hub for this sector.”— Ajit B Chavan, Additional CEO, Government e-Marketplace, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
GeM streamlines MSME bidding, enhances demand forecasting, and enables flexible procurement, fostering fair competition and accelerating space technology acquisition.
“GeM’s compliance mechanisms ensure 95% regulatory adherence, while its analytics enhance anomaly detection and market intelligence—vital for geospatial data’s dual-use nature. With a increase in procurement options and projected cost savings of 15-20%, the platform streamlines procurement, fosters innovation, and accelerates India’s space economy growth.” – Anil Prakash, Director General, SIA-India
