GeM MII Filter

The GeM MII (Make in India) Filter is a buyer-side procurement tool on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) that restricts visible listings to products declared as Made in India with a minimum specified local content, implementing the government's Make in India procurement preference directly within the platform's search and bid workflow.

What is the GeM MII Filter?

Under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017, government buyers are required to give purchase preference to locally manufactured goods. GeM's MII Filter is the technical implementation of this policy:

How it works for buyers:
When creating a bid or performing a direct purchase search, the buyer can activate the MII filter, which restricts results to only those products where the seller has declared compliance with Make in India criteria. Buyers in sensitive ministries (Defence, Railways, Telecom) are often required to apply the MII filter by default.

How it works for sellers:
Sellers declare their product's MII status on their catalogue listing, specifying:

• Class I (above 50% domestic value addition): highest preference
• Class II (20%-50% domestic value addition): preference over non-MII but below Class I
• Non-MII (below 20% or imported): no preference

Mandatory application:
For products with sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity (identified by the relevant administrative ministry), buyers must apply the MII filter. Non-compliant procurement requires justification.

False declaration penalty:
Sellers who falsely claim MII status face listing removal, penalty, and possible GeM blacklisting. GeM uses Vendor Assessment and spot checks to verify declared domestic content.

Why the GeM MII Filter matters for Indian government suppliers

For manufacturers with genuine domestic value addition, the MII tag on GeM is a powerful competitive weapon. Buyers who apply the MII filter never see non-MII listings, eliminating imported goods from their procurement decision entirely. Sellers who invest in domestic supply chains, local component sourcing, and manufacturing in India can qualify for Class I status and receive mandatory preference over importers and traders. Verifying your MII classification and declaring it accurately on GeM is one of the highest-return actions for Indian manufacturers.

Example

A government buyer at a central research laboratory applies the MII filter when searching for scientific instruments. Only Class I and Class II MII-declared listings appear. An Indian manufacturer with 60% domestic value addition (Class I) appears at the top of results; a foreign brand listed through an importer does not appear at all. The Indian manufacturer's product, priced at a 12% premium over the imported equivalent, wins the order because the MII filter has already excluded the cheaper imported option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a seller prove their product qualifies for Class I MII status?

Sellers self-declare MII status on GeM. The declaration includes the domestic value addition percentage, the basis of calculation (typically ex-factory cost less imported inputs), and supporting documentation such as manufacturing cost statements. GeM or the buyer may request verification through Vendor Assessment or third-party audit.

Can a product lose its MII certification if supply chain sourcing changes?

Yes. If a seller shifts to higher import content, they are obligated to update their MII status declaration on GeM. Continued sale under an outdated higher-class MII declaration after sourcing changes is a false declaration and attracts penalties.

Are services also subject to the MII filter on GeM?

The MII policy primarily applies to goods procurement. For services, a separate preferential policy for Indian service providers exists but is less formally integrated into the GeM service catalogue filter mechanism compared to the goods MII filter.

Is there a minimum domestic value addition required for any MII designation?

Class I MII requires above 50% domestic value addition. Class II requires between 20% and 50%. Products with below 20% domestic content (typically assembled or re-imported items) do not qualify for either MII class and cannot claim MII status on GeM.