India’s Supreme Court upholds a lower-court decision that voids the government’s tender to outsource passport, visa, and consular services at select diplomatic missions. The ruling extends uncertainty for travelers who use these services in four countries, including Australia and Singapore. The court action follows challenges by bidders who did not win the contract, with arguments that the evaluation and selection process was flawed and not fair.
According to reports from multiple outlets, the original tender covered services in Australia, Singapore, the UAE, and Kuwait. After the court decision, authorities are directed to conduct a new procurement process. This involves inviting fresh bids, with the tender being reissued or re-tendered rather than continuing under the previously selected contracts.
The decisions mean that outsourcing arrangements for visa and related consular services in the affected missions remain in dispute until the new bidding process is completed. The court rulings also indicate that the government must address the procedural issues identified by the courts before awarding any replacement contracts.
