By Adv. Gaurav Kumar, Founder, Bid Nexa · Live figures from state e-procurement portals · General information, not legal advice.
On 7 November 2026, state e-procurement portals tracked by BidNexa listed 77 active catering tenders across 10 states and UTs, with a median value of ₹18.67 lakh. To win them, meet the statutory and experience conditions, price from the BOQ line by line, and avoid the common rejection points below.
Where the demand is right now
| State / UT | Active tenders |
|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 21 |
| Maharashtra | 20 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 13 |
| Punjab | 9 |
| Tamil Nadu | 6 |
| Jharkhand | 3 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 1 |
| Rajasthan | 1 |
| Lakshadweep | 1 |
Source: NIC GePNIC state e-procurement portals (active tender listings, 10 states), data as of 7 November 2026.
Who is buying
| Buying office | Active tenders |
|---|---|
| Tourism (Jammu and Kashmir) | 11 |
| M.P. Tourism Board (Madhya Pradesh) | 9 |
| Department of Sports (Punjab) | 7 |
| University Of Pune (Maharashtra) | 6 |
| CE (WRD) North Maharashtra Region Nashik (Maharashtra) | 4 |
| Directorate Urban Administration and Development (Madhya Pradesh) | 3 |
| MP State Agricultural Marketing Board (Madhya Pradesh) | 3 |
| Anna University Chennai (Tamil Nadu) | 3 |
Source: NIC GePNIC state e-procurement portals (active tender listings, 10 states), data as of 7 November 2026.
Values and EMD seen
Median value ₹18.67 lakh; range ₹20 to ₹94 crore. EMD from ₹902 to ₹4.70 crore. Eligible MSEs may be exempt from EMD where the tender allows. Confirm in the tender document / NIT.
Source: NIC GePNIC state e-procurement portals (active tender listings, 10 states), data as of 7 November 2026.
Eligibility you will usually need
- Experience of similar service contracts within the period the tender sets
- Average annual turnover at the level the tender sets
- Statutory registrations for staff, such as EPF and ESIC, where staff are deployed
- Licences the service needs
- Key staff and their qualifications
Licences and certificates
- FSSAI licence for food service
- Trade licence and health or hygiene certificates
- Labour, EPF and ESIC registrations for staff
- Fire safety compliance at the kitchen site, where asked
Confirm in the tender document / NIT.
Pricing tip for catering
Catering tenders often fix menus and quantities. Cost each menu item at current market rates rather than a single per-head guess.
Why catering bids get rejected
- Rate below statutory costs, treated as unworkable
- Missing labour or other statutory registrations
- Experience that does not match the scope definition
- EMD or its exemption proof missing
- Technical proposal not in the format or order the tender asks for
Live district pages
- Catering tenders in Bhopal (12 active)
- Catering tenders in Chennai (5 active)
- Catering tenders in Mumbai (5 active)
Frequently asked questions
What licences are needed for a government catering contract?
Catering contracts usually need an FSSAI licence, a trade licence and labour registrations such as EPF and ESIC for staff. Some also ask for hygiene certificates and experience in institutional catering. The exact list is in the tender. Confirm in the tender document / NIT.
Where are catering tenders published?
State departments publish on their state e-procurement portals, central offices on CPPP (eprocure.gov.in), and many goods and services are bought on GeM. The tender notice names the portal and the buyer.
Can BidNexa help with catering tenders?
Yes. Bid Nexa checks eligibility, prepares documents and reviews your bid before you submit it yourself. We are independent and not affiliated with any portal or buyer.
Talk to a Bid Nexa expert
Bidding for catering work? Share the tender number and closing date.
Or call +91 62021 65869.
Category hub: Catering tenders across India