New Delhi, September 27 – The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s public procurement system through training, research, and capacity building.
The agreement, signed in Delhi, aims to combine GeM’s digital procurement platform with AJNIFM’s expertise in training and knowledge building. The partnership will focus on developing structured training modules, digital resources, research studies, and joint conferences.
Focus Areas of the MoU
Officials said the collaboration will emphasise green procurement, sustainable supply chains, and emerging technologies in procurement. It will also introduce mentorship opportunities to build communities of practice among procurement officials.
GeM CEO Mihir Kumar said, “This partnership will empower procurement officials with knowledge, tools, and insights to make procurement efficient and future-ready.”
AJNIFM Director Praveen Kumar added, “Academic rigour must translate into practical solutions. Together, AJNIFM and GeM can redefine capacity building in procurement.”
Public Procurement Significance
According to officials, public procurement accounts for nearly 20–22% of India’s GDP, making improvements critical for economic efficiency. GeM alone recorded transactions worth ₹5.4 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, underscoring its growing role in governance.
One of the key challenges has been uneven skill levels among officials handling large contracts. The partnership seeks to bridge this gap through hands-on training and real-world learning.
The MoU is expected to lay the foundation for a procurement ecosystem that is efficient, transparent, and resilient, aligning with India’s broader goals of governance reform and digital transformation.