Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) is a financial safeguard requested by buyers to ensure serious bid participation. However, sellers can claim exemptions under government policies.
Important Compliance Disclaimer
Before starting, please note that SahayakAI is an independent, private technology platform. We are not affiliated with, authorized, or officially connected with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM Portal) or the Government of India. The official portal is hosted at https://gem.gov.in. Use this manual for educational guidance, and always verify current criteria on the official site.
EMD Exemption Categories
Under central procurement rules, EMD is waived for:
- Registered MSEs (Micro and Small Enterprises) holding Udyam Certificates.
- Startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- Sellers holding valid NSIC registrations.
Resolving Delayed EMD Refunds
If your bid is rejected or the contract is awarded to another bidder, your EMD should be refunded automatically within 15 days. If delayed:
- Verify if the buyer has formally closed the bid on the portal dashboard.
- Raise a support ticket under the "Payments & EMD" category.
For automated eligibility verification, check our GeM Tender Eligibility Checker.