Archive · 20 Jul 2026
SC Upholds Delhi HC Order on CPV Tender
The Supreme Court decided not to change the Delhi High Court's decision that canceled a contract given to private companies for handling visa and passport services in four countries.
The high court said the selection process was not fair or transparent.
The government says this has made it hard to provide these services.
The Supreme Court allowed the government to make temporary arrangements to keep services running while a new selection process is done.
The high court wants the government to start the selection process again to ensure it is done fairly.
Two companies that were not chosen in the original process challenged the decision, leading to the high court's ruling.
The Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Court's verdict quashing the MEA's tender process for outsourcing CPV services at four Indian missions.
The high court found the tender process lacked transparency, fairness, and equality, leading to the nullification of the award.
The Supreme Court allowed the Centre to make temporary arrangements to ensure uninterrupted consular services until a fresh tender process is completed.
The Centre was directed to complete the fresh tender exercise within three months.
The dispute arose from petitions filed by two unsuccessful bidders, E Trav Tech Limited and Verasys Limited, who challenged their technical disqualification.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, the Delhi High Court, and private firms E Trav Tech Limited and Verasys Limited.
- What
- The Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Court's verdict quashing the Ministry of External Affairs' tender process for outsourcing Consular, Passport, and Visa services.
- When
- The Supreme Court hearing and decision were on July 20.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- The Delhi High Court nullified the tender due to lack of transparency, fairness, and equality in the public procurement process.
Centre's Stance
High Court's Verdict
Tender Process Validity
Centre's Stance
The Centre argues that the tender process was conducted properly and the high court's decision has disrupted services.
High Court's Verdict
The high court found the tender process lacked transparency, fairness, and equality, leading to the nullification of the award.
Impact on Services
Centre's Stance
The Centre claims that the high court's decision has made visa and other services difficult to render.
High Court's Verdict
The high court directed the Centre to issue a fresh RFP to ensure a fair and transparent process.
Evaluation Process
Centre's Stance
The Centre argues that the evaluation process was legitimate and varied across different missions.
High Court's Verdict
The high court found the evaluation process arbitrary and irrational due to the lack of transparency and recorded reasons.
- Court Hearing Date
- July 20
- High Court Verdict Date
- July 15
- Affected Missions
- Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore, Canberra
- Unsuccessful Bidders
- E Trav Tech Limited, Verasys Limited
- Minimum Technical Marks
- 70%
- High Court's Directive
- Issue fresh RFP within one month
- Supreme Court's Directive
- Complete fresh tender exercise within three months
Sources
Supreme Court To Hear Centre's Plea On Overseas Visa Services Tender Tomorrow
SC upholds Delhi HC verdict quashing tender for passport, visa outsourcing at 4 Indian Missions
SC rejects Centre’s plea against HC order quashing CPV outsourcing tenders
