The Government e Marketplace (GeM) operates as a digital platform through which ministries, departments and public sector entities procure goods and services. In addition to this function, GeM facilitates disposal of government assets through its Forward Auction module, introducing online competitive bidding and improving transparency, efficiency and value discovery in a process that was traditionally fragmented and paperwork-intensive.

A Forward Auction is a digital bidding process through which government departments sell assets such as scrap, e-waste, old vehicles, machinery and leasehold properties including buildings and land to the highest bidder. In this process, the government lists an item on the platform, registered bidders place competing bids and the highest offer is declared successful. Through GeM’s secure digital interface, departments are able to set reserve prices, define participation conditions and monitor bidding in real time, ensuring efficiency and transparency throughout the auction lifecycle.

The relevance of Forward Auctions extends across sectors and geographies, with a wide spectrum of government assets being brought onto the platform. These include e-waste such as old printers, laptops and IT equipment; industrial and non-industrial machinery; scrap and disposables including lube oil and metal and non-metal items; lease land and buildings for residential, commercial and institutional use; end-of-life vehicles; and sublet or lease of properties such as dormitories, parking spaces and toll booths.

Between December 2021 and November 2025, GeM’s Forward Auction module facilitated auctions worth more than ₹2,200 crore, conducted over 13,000 auctions, onboarded more than 23,000 registered bidders and enabled participation from over 17,000 auctioneers. These figures underscore that Forward Auctions are no longer a pilot initiative but have evolved into a nationwide digital mechanism for government asset disposal.

The impact of this shift is evident from multiple instances across the country. One such case is the auction of 100 EWS flats at Aliganj, Lucknow, conducted by the State Bank of India, which realised ₹34.53 crore through the GeM platform. The auction outcome led SBI to formally acknowledge the conduct of the process by the GeM Forward Auction team, reflecting the role of transparent digital mechanisms in enabling value discovery.

Another example is the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, which had faced challenges in disposing of unusable and obsolete articles over an extended period. Through the Forward Auction process, the Zoo achieved a highest bid above the reserve value and placed on record its appreciation for the support received during the auction. Efficient disposal of scrap through such mechanisms contributes to improved operational processes and optimal utilisation of public resources.

The range of assets being auctioned through GeM highlights the breadth of applications of the Forward Auction module. Recent auctions include the sale of screened gypsum worth ₹3.35 crore by FCI Aravali Gypsum and Minerals India Ltd., disposal of 261 condemned vehicles in the Jammu Division, auction of salvage items by the Border Roads Organisation, lease of a dormitory in Gulmarg for a period of five years, and auction of boating activity rights at a lake in Spurtar. These examples indicate a move towards competitive disposal mechanisms for a wide variety of government assets.

Participation in GeM Forward Auctions has been structured to facilitate ease of access for bidders. Interested participants are required to visit the GeM homepage, register through the Forward Auction Bidder Registration link, submit PAN and other required details, and complete email verification and onboarding. Upon payment of the Earnest Money Deposit, where applicable, bidders may participate in live auctions that are conducted online, are time-bound and follow defined security protocols. All auctions are publicly listed, except for a limited number where participation is restricted to pre-qualified bidders owing to the nature of the assets.

Beyond individual transactions, Forward Auctions contribute to broader governance objectives by reducing opacity in government asset disposal, addressing administrative delays, enabling fair competition, generating improved returns from public assets, facilitating faster clearance of scrap and obsolete materials, and supporting environmental responsibility, particularly in relation to e-waste management.

Forward Auction on GeM reflects a change in approach to government asset disposal. It provides a common digital interface for government departments and businesses where rules are predetermined, bidding processes are visible and outcomes are based on competitive criteria. The platform accommodates participation ranging from local scrap dealers to larger real-estate entities and supports disposal activities spanning old machinery to property assets. As adoption of Forward Auctions expands across departments, the process underscores the integration of transparency and digital systems into public asset management practices.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Shabbir Azad/ Ishita Biswas

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