India’s Supreme Court has upheld a lower court decision cancelling the government’s tender for outsourcing passport, visa and consular services in four countries, extending uncertainty for travelers while a new bidding process is completed.
The ruling affects Indian diplomatic missions in Australia, Singapore, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, where outsourced consular services were set to be provided under the now-cancelled contract.
The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to implement temporary arrangements to ensure passport, visa and consular services continue without interruption during the fresh tender process.
The decision means the government must restart the procurement process before awarding a new contract, potentially delaying long-term service arrangements for Indian citizens and visa applicants in the affected countries.
