The Indian government has officially moved the Supreme Court to contest a recent Delhi High Court verdict that invalidated the tender process for outsourcing consular services across four nations, including the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore, and Australia. Following a legal challenge from unsuccessful bidders, E Trav Tech and Verasys, the High Court had ordered a complete retendering of the contract, which had originally been awarded to Kerala-based Alhind Tours and Travels LLC. Government representatives have urged for a swift review, noting that the judicial intervention has brought vital visa and passport operations to a near standstill.

This legal deadlock has caused significant disruption for millions of Indian expatriates, particularly in the UAE, where existing contracts with service providers like BLS International and SGIVS Global expired on June 30. For the first time in 17 years, Indian missions have been forced to handle these services directly, leading to limited appointment slots and widespread logistical challenges during the busy summer travel season. While the Supreme Court is expected to address the matter shortly, over 16 centers prepared by the contract winners remain idle, leaving the expat community in a state of uncertainty as they await a final resolution to the ongoing administrative crisis.