Why in news?
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) celebrated the seventh anniversary of its SWAYATT initiative in March 2026. SWAYATT stands for “Startups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions”. The programme aims to broaden participation in public procurement by supporting women entrepreneurs, startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Background
GeM is an online platform where government departments procure goods and services. SWAYATT was launched in February 2019 to make this marketplace more inclusive. It includes initiatives such as the “Womaniya” section for products made by self-help groups and women-led enterprises, and the “Startup Runway” that allows startups to offer innovative solutions without prior experience.
Growth achievements
- Women-led orders: The value of orders placed with women entrepreneurs increased from around ₹1,265 crore in fiscal 2018-19 to over ₹83,000 crore by fiscal 2025-26.
- Support for startups: Annual order value for startups on GeM rose from about ₹497 crore to more than ₹54,000 crore in the same period. Startups are given preference in procurement and can showcase prototypes.
- Market access: More than 4 lakh women entrepreneurs and 50,000 startups are registered on GeM. The platform provides training programmes and advisory support to help these sellers meet quality standards and compete effectively.
Significance
SWAYATT promotes economic empowerment of women and youth by opening up government procurement opportunities. It aligns with the broader agenda of inclusive growth and encourages innovation by giving startups a level playing field. The initiative demonstrates how digital platforms can democratise public procurement.
Source: Press Information Bureau
