SC upholds Delhi HC on passport contracts, asks Centre to rebid; know what happens to visa services

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Delhi High Court ruling that quashed the outsourcing contracts for passport and visa services at four Indian missions abroad, forcing the Centre to restart the entire bidding process after courts found serious flaws in how service providers were selected.

The order affects contracts for Indian missions in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra, where passport and visa services are handled by outsourced agencies.

Why were the contracts scrapped?

The dispute began after the Delhi High Court found that the government had altered the evaluation criteria after the bidding process had already begun. The court held that changing the rules midway made the selection process arbitrary and deprived bidders of a fair and transparent competition.

The High Court set aside the tenders, prompting the Centre to move the Supreme Court.

On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed with the High Court's findings and dismissed the government's appeal. It directed the authorities to conduct a fresh and transparent bidding exercise within three months.

What happens next?

With the existing contracts set aside, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will now have to appoint service providers through a new tender process. Until then, the court has allowed the government to make temporary arrangements to keep operations running.

The Supreme Court said the MEA could continue with the existing agencies for a limited period or appoint interim service providers if required. It also clarified that any temporary arrangement would not give an agency a "head start" or preferential claim when permanent contracts are awarded.

Will passport and visa services be affected?

For applicants, the ruling is not expected to disrupt passport or visa services at the four Indian missions.

The Supreme Court specifically ensured that services continue uninterrupted during the transition, allowing the government to put interim arrangements in place while the fresh tendering process is completed.