In a strategic move to boost its digital presence and enhance online public services for Indians living abroad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has released a new open tender for the hosting, redesign, and ongoing management of the Consulate General of India (CGI) website in Manchester, UK.
The tender, published on April 30, 2025, invites qualified and creative IT firms to help the Indian government deliver a faster, more secure, and user-friendly online experience for Indian nationals and British residents engaging with consular services.
This initiative is more than just a technical upgrade—it’s a bold step in strengthening India’s digital diplomacy and improving how consular services are accessed online.
What the Tender Is All About
The MEA tender (Ref: MAN/ADMN/885/1/2025) is focused on revamping the CGI Manchester website to better serve the growing needs of the Indian diaspora in the UK. This includes everything from modern web design to secure hosting and ongoing site maintenance.
With the tender ID 2025_MEA_796392_3, this project invites bidders with proven experience in government website development, especially those who can meet international accessibility and security standards.
Core Deliverables Include:
- Website Hosting – Hosting must be reliable, scalable, and in compliance with global data security norms.
- Website Redesign – A complete revamp of the UI/UX with a mobile-first, accessible, and visually engaging interface.
- Website Management – Continuous updates, content uploads, and robust cybersecurity monitoring post-launch.
This website will serve as the central digital touchpoint for consular tasks like visa and passport services, OCI processing, and event announcements for the Indian community in northern UK.
Why This Tender Is Important
The Consulate General of India in Manchester plays a crucial role in delivering services to a large segment of the Indian population in the UK. For thousands of Indians, the website is often their first point of contact with the Indian government.
A modern, efficient, and easy-to-navigate site means:
- Faster and simpler access to consular services
- Reduced footfall and better queue management
- Stronger public trust in government systems
- A globally-aligned digital presence for India’s foreign missions
It also reflects how India is positioning itself as a tech-forward, citizen-centric nation on the global stage.
Who Can Apply?
While the detailed eligibility requirements are included in the official tender document, ideal bidders should:
- Have prior experience designing and managing government or embassy websites
- Be registered businesses in India or the UK
- Be financially sound with a strong technical team
- Understand and implement standards like WCAG 2.1, GIGW 3.0, and GDPR
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and specialized IT agencies are especially encouraged to apply, with the tender fee and EMD fixed at a symbolic ₹1—a signal that the focus is on technical merit over financial muscle.
Key Tender Information at a Glance
| Details | Information |
| Tender Title | Hosting, Redesign & Management of CGI Manchester Website |
| Tender Reference | MAN/ADMN/885/1/2025 |
| Tender ID | 2025_MEA_796392_3 |
| Tender Type | Open Tender |
| Contract Duration | 90 Days from Award |
| Bid Validity | 120 Days |
| Location | CGI Manchester, UK |
| EMD & Tender Fee | ₹1 (Exemptions Allowed) |
| Tender Authority | Mr. Santosh Kumar, Consulate General of India, Manchester |
Important Dates for Bidders
If you’re planning to participate in this prestigious MEA website development project, mark these critical dates:
- Tender Published: April 30, 2025
- Bid Submission Opens: April 30, 2025 (10:00 AM)
- Submission Deadline: May 16, 2025 (5:30 PM)
- Bid Opening: May 19, 2025 (12:00 PM)
These two and a half weeks offer ample time for IT agencies to prepare a strong proposal, showcasing both their technical capability and design creativity.
Understanding the Two-Cover Bidding Process
The tender follows a two-cover system, meaning both the technical and financial components must be submitted separately:
- Cover 1: Technical Proposal
Must include firm profile, similar past projects, proposed design layouts, team structure, and security protocols. - Cover 2: Financial Proposal
Should provide a cost breakdown of development, hosting, and maintenance in a downloadable Excel format (.xls).
Only bidders who pass the technical round will have their financial proposals evaluated.
Security, Design, and Compliance Expectations
Digital consular platforms must be not just attractive, but also resilient and inclusive. The redesigned website for CGI Manchester must:
- Be hosted securely with SSL, firewalls, and intrusion detection
- Protect user data with encryption and strict access controls
- Offer multilingual support (at minimum, English and Hindi)
- Be responsive across mobile, tablet, and desktop
- Adhere to Indian GIGW 3.0, WCAG, and UK GDPR standards
This combination of functionality, compliance, and design will ensure a future-proof platform for both users and administrators.
Opportunity for IT Companies: Make a Global Impact
For Indian or UK-based IT companies, web developers, and digital agencies, this is a golden opportunity to contribute to India’s digital transformation abroad. Winning this project means:
- Working with the Ministry of External Affairs
- Gaining international visibility
- Adding a high-impact government project to your portfolio
- Creating a lasting, public-facing digital asset
Final Thoughts: A Step Toward Smarter Consular Services
This MEA tender for CGI Manchester’s website redesign isn’t just about technology—it’s about transforming how the Government of India connects with its global citizens.
Whether you’re an IT firm ready to build a world-class consular website or a member of the Indian diaspora eager for better online services, this project is a reflection of India’s digital ambition and people-first governance.
As the submission deadline of May 16, 2025 approaches, interested bidders are encouraged to act fast, download the official tender document, and bring their best ideas to the table.
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