New Delhi: The central government has appointed IAS Ajay Bhadoo as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). He is currently serving as the Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce and will assume the role in addition to his current responsibilities.
The GeM portal, launched on August 9, 2016, serves as an online procurement platform for central government ministries and departments, facilitating the purchase of goods and services in a transparent and efficient manner. Over the years, it has emerged as a game-changer in public procurement, fostering inclusivity and benefiting government buyers, local entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses.
Bhadoo, a 1999-batch officer from the Gujarat cadre, brings over two decades of experience in policy formulation and implementation across multiple sectors, including urban infrastructure development. His appointment as CEO of GeM comes at a crucial time as the platform transitions to a next-generation digital marketplace powered by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
In August 2024, Bhadoo was appointed as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce. Previously, he served as the Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission of India. His extensive career also includes a tenure as Joint Secretary to former President Ram Nath Kovind and leadership roles such as CEO of the Gujarat Maritime Board and Commissioner of Rajkot and Vadodara Municipal Corporations.
Bhadoo holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s in Business Law from the prestigious National Law School of India University, Bengaluru.
In his new role, Bhadoo is expected to enhance GeM’s role in streamlining government procurement, leveraging digital innovation, and supporting the vision of an inclusive and transparent marketplace.
