Judgment allows incumbent operators to continue services temporarily to ensure continuity.
In a development that could further prolong passport renewal delays for Indian expatriates in the UAE, an Indian court has ordered a fresh tendering process for outsourced consular services.
The ruling covers services provided at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, as well as Indian missions in Kuwait, Singapore and Australia.
The Delhi High Court issued the ruling after two bidders challenged their disqualification during the technical evaluation stage. The court found that the authorities had failed to disclose the criteria and basis used for awarding technical scores.
The court’s decision nullifies the tender awarded to Alhind Tours & Travels and directs the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue fresh Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for all the affected Indian missions within one month.
Kerala-based Alhind had been scheduled to take over consular operations on July 1 after submitting the lowest financial bid. The company had already completed preparations for 16 service centres across the UAE, including a 12,000-square-foot facility in Bur Dubai with more than 45 service counters.
The judgment also states that existing service providers may be allowed to continue temporarily to prevent disruptions. However, the decision on interim arrangements now rests with the respective Indian missions. Khaleej Times has sought clarification from the missions on how services will be managed going forward.
How the situation unfolded
The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi awarded the contract to Alhind after a tender process launched in November 2025, with the company emerging as the lowest financial bidder among four shortlisted firms.
The contract covers a wide range of consular services, including passport renewals, visas, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, Police Clearance Certificates (PCC), Surrender Certificates (SC), Global Entry Programme (GEP) verification, and attestation services at both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai.
However, two unsuccessful bidders challenged the fairness and transparency of the evaluation process, arguing that the scoring methodology had not been adequately disclosed. While they did not contest the technical assessment itself, the Delhi High Court ruled in their favour and instructed the MEA to issue fresh RFPs for all the affected missions within a month.
Following the exit of BLS and SGIVS, and with Alhind unable to formally assume operations, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai have been handling passport, visa and attestation services directly from their premises since July 1—the first time in 17 years that the missions have managed these services in-house.
The missions have also warned applicants against unauthorised agents claiming to secure appointments. They stressed that appointments can be booked free of charge through the official portal, and that no third party is authorised to charge for this service. Limited walk-in services remain available at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The developments come just months after the Indian government raised fees for passport renewals and several other consular services, adding to the challenges faced by applicants.
