VAE lets eligible sellers skip the standard TPA Vendor Assessment — saving the assessment fee (turnover-tiered, up to ~₹3,486 + GST) and 2–6 weeks of process. Eligibility is category- and credential-based.
| Exemption Qualifying Category / Route | Validity Note |
|---|---|
| Turnover ₹500 Cr+ in any of the last 3 years | High-turnover corporate exemption |
| Central/State PSUs & Government-backed Organizations | Institutional exemption |
| NSIC-Registered OEMs (for registered category) | Coterminous with NSIC certificate validity |
| BIS Licence Holders for product category | 3 years or licence validity, whichever is shorter |
| DRDO / OFB / SITRA UCC Holders | Coterminous with UCC validity |
| DPIIT-Recognised Startups | 3 years from DPIIT recognition (not GeM registration) |
| Small Sellers: Products ≤₹25,000/unit + Turnover ≤₹5 Lakh | Non-OEMs only; direct-selling scope |
| Handicraft / Artwork Categories without standard processes | As specified by category owner |
| KVIC / WDO / Coir Board / TRIFED Bodies | Recognized government organizations |
| Government-Recommended Exemptions (CPSE/Departments) | Specific category & validity; nodal-officer verified |
Verify your category + credential combination via checker tool or consultation.
Ensure documents are active and exact name-matched to your GeM profile to avoid rejection.
Submit exemption request with valid uploads directly on seller dashboard.
Exemption status reflects on your profile upon verification.
Vendor Assessment Exemption (VAE) is a route for eligible sellers to skip the standard TPA assessment by submitting qualifying credentials instead.
No assessment fee applies if exemption is granted. Professional consulting support, if utilized, is separate.
Typically faster than assessment — days rather than weeks, driven by credential document readiness.
Yes — usually due to expired credentials, name/address mismatches, or applying under an unsupported category route.