Introduction
For suppliers providing supplies or services to the Indian Railways, there are only two specific e-procurement platforms to work from: IREPS, the Indian Railways E-Procurement System, or GeM, the Government e-Marketplace. IREPS appears as the dominant platform where railway tenders and procurement of infrastructure, goods, and services are provided. GeM is advancing swiftly with the intention to act as a single platform across all government sectors, including the railways.
In 2020, Indian Railways and GeM had announced a roadmapfor integration, as they intended to merge IREPS's domain knowledge with GeM's transparency, inclusivity, and automation. This blog will provide rail suppliers with the tools to assess whether IREPS, GeM, or both are potential producers of opportunities for them in 2025.
Understanding the Platforms
IREPS: Railway’s Traditional Procurement Engine
A central digital gateway for tendering throughout Indian Railways, and each of its production units, zonal railways, and allied entities, including DMRC and RITES.
Provides safe, transparent electronic tendering utilizing encryption and digital signatures.
A wide range of category types: works, goods & services, and leasing with AI-enabled live tender monitoring and sophisticated filters.
From contracts worth upwards of ₹50,000+ crore for all 16 railway zones
GeM: India’s Unified Procurement Portal
A national digital marketplace for government procurement of common-use goods and services, born to improve efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity.
Features include e-bidding, reverse auctions, and a dynamic catalog of 10,900+ categories.
As of May 2025, GeM registered 2.86 crore orders amounting to ₹13.60 lakh crore GMV, with over 23 lakh sellers (especially MSMEs and startups).
Why Integration Matters
The convergence of IREPS and GeM signifies strategic modernization:
The aim is to integrate IREPS’s rail-specific procurement ecosystem with GeM’s broader, unified framework.
A unified portal could dissolve duplicative processes, enable seamless listings, and make government procurement more accessible to industries including remote and MSME vendors.
Ministerial vision focused on reducing manual integrations and ensuring transparent, corruption-free procurement.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | IREPS (Railways) | GeM (Unified Portal) |
Scope | Indian Railways, zonal, and affiliated agencies | All central/state agencies, PSUs, including railways |
Tender Categories | Works, Goods, Services, Leasing | Common-use goods and services |
Platform Strength | Domain-specific filters and deep railway focus | Wide reach, MSME-friendly, reverse auctions |
Security Features | Encryption, DSC, secure bidding | Standardized, efficient, transparent |
Vendor Landscape | Rail-focused suppliers | Large base including MSMEs, startups |
Integration Status | Core procurement system | Planned integration target for consolidated access |
Strategic Advantage | Tender-specific depth in rail sector | Expanded reach, ease of use, interoperability |
Ideal for Suppliers | Established railway vendors | Emerging MSMEs, diversified service/product providers |
Strategic Insights for Rail Suppliers
When to Focus on IREPS
If your organization specializes in railway infrastructure, rolling stock, signaling, or maintenance, IREPS remains indispensable.
It offers a targeted ecosystem, with railway-specific sourcing needs, compliance expectations, and contract structures.
When to Use GeM
Non-core or auxiliary railway products/services (like logistics, cleaning, or general equipment) are increasingly moving toward GeM for procurement.
Growing sectors like seating, vehicles, IT services, and even flexible service contracts are poised to be handled through GeM.
How to Blend Both Platforms Strategically
Register thoroughly on both platforms to maximize visibility and access.
For railway-specific contracts, use IREPS to track tenders and respond to bid conditions.
For broader services (e.g., consultancy, transport, maintenance), actively post on GeM.
Operational Benefits
Track tenders on both platforms using AI tools like BidAssist to stay competitive and compliant.
Develop digital readiness: maintain DSC, complete profile registration, and categorize your offerings across platforms.
Looking Ahead: What 2025 Holds
Consolidated Portal Model: A future where IREPS functions as a specialized sub-domain within GeM, especially for rail-centric offerings.
Improved Accessibility for MSMEs: Easier onboarding, better visibility, and simplified compliance for smaller suppliers.
Unified Analytics and Tender Discovery: One-stop dashboard displaying relevant tender data across platforms.
Fairer Competition: Harmonized process standards on GeM could reduce access gaps for certain categories.
Conclusion
By 2025, expect IREPS to stay irreplaceable for rail industry procurements, whereas GeM will be better integrated and complementary as a strategic platform for ancillary goods and services. Integration is underway, which will transform the landscape of government procurement by uniting the depth of domain-specific procurement with the accessibility of procurement platforms.
Rail suppliers should continue with a dual-channel approach: using IREPS for core contracts and using GeM for all your service offerings. Having a balanced approach will allow your business to capitalize on greater opportunities, particularly in a continuously evolving digital procurement landscape.
