Golden Parameters (GeM)

Golden Parameters are the standardised set of technical specifications, quality attributes, and descriptive fields that GeM has defined for each product category, which sellers must accurately populate when creating product listings, enabling government buyers to compare products on consistent, verified criteria rather than self-written descriptions.

What are Golden Parameters on GeM?

Golden Parameters are GeM's solution to the product comparability problem in online marketplace procurement. Without standardisation, sellers describe products using inconsistent terminology, making price comparison misleading. Golden Parameters fix a defined set of attributes for each category that all listings must use.

For a laptop category, Golden Parameters might include:

• Processor brand and model
• RAM capacity (in GB)
• Storage type (SSD/HDD) and capacity
• Display size (inches) and resolution
• Operating system
• Battery backup (hours)
• Weight (kg)
• BIS certification number

Parameters are classified as:

• Mandatory: Must be populated; listing cannot be saved without a value
• Optional: Additional attributes that improve listing quality but are not required
• Fixed by GeM: Some values are pre-set by GeM (e.g., mandatory BIS certification for certain product types) and cannot be overridden by the seller

When a buyer creates a GeM Bid, they define their requirement by selecting values from the Golden Parameters, essentially filtering the catalogue to products that meet their specification. Sellers whose products match all selected parameter values are eligible to bid.

Why Golden Parameters matter for Indian government suppliers

Accurate Golden Parameter population is the foundation of GeM catalogue success. Incorrect values, even minor ones, can exclude your product from buyer searches when they filter by that parameter. Sellers should verify their parameter values against actual product specifications and update listings immediately when product specifications change. For GeM Vendor Assessment categories, assessors verify that Golden Parameter values match the product's actual tested specifications.

Example

A seller lists UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems on GeM. The Golden Parameters include VA rating (1 kVA, 2 kVA, 3 kVA), battery backup time (10 min, 20 min, 30 min), input voltage range, number of output sockets, and warranty period. A government buyer floats a bid specifying 2 kVA, 30-minute backup, 160-270V input range. Only sellers whose UPS listing matches all three filter values appear in the bid's eligible seller list. The seller who listed "20 min" backup (not 30 min) does not appear, even though its product is otherwise comparable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who defines the Golden Parameters for each category?

GeM's category management team defines Golden Parameters in consultation with government buyers (who specify what they need to compare) and seller associations (who know what product specifications are technically meaningful). Parameters evolve as product technology changes, sellers should monitor category updates.

What happens if my product genuinely doesn't fit any existing category's Golden Parameters?

Sellers can request creation of a new category or modification of existing parameters through GeM's seller support portal. GeM periodically reviews category structures and updates Golden Parameters based on market evolution. New technology products often need new parameter sets.

Can a seller have multiple listings in the same category?

Yes. A seller can list multiple product variants, different models, different capacity ranges, as separate catalogue entries in the same category, each with their own Golden Parameter values and pricing. This is the correct approach rather than trying to fit all variants into a single listing.

Do Golden Parameters apply to services as well as products?

The equivalent for services is a defined set of service-level parameters. While called by different names in the service catalogue, the concept is the same: standardised attribute fields that service providers must populate and buyers can filter by when searching the service catalogue.