diff --git a/dgraph/cmd/alpha/http_test.go b/dgraph/cmd/alpha/http_test.go
index 686b99c20e8..33a00ffd755 100644
--- a/dgraph/cmd/alpha/http_test.go
+++ b/dgraph/cmd/alpha/http_test.go
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ func TestTransactionBasic(t *testing.T) {
 	require.Equal(t, 2, len(mr.preds))
 	var parsedPreds []string
 	for _, pred := range mr.preds {
-		p := strings.Split(pred, "-")[1]
+		p := strings.SplitN(pred, "-", 2)[1]
 		parsedPreds = append(parsedPreds, x.ParseAttr(p))
 	}
 	sort.Strings(parsedPreds)
diff --git a/dgraph/cmd/alpha/upsert_test.go b/dgraph/cmd/alpha/upsert_test.go
index 6ae11f77840..052cf62d739 100644
--- a/dgraph/cmd/alpha/upsert_test.go
+++ b/dgraph/cmd/alpha/upsert_test.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ type QueryResult struct {
 
 func splitPreds(ps []string) []string {
 	for i, p := range ps {
-		ps[i] = x.ParseAttr(strings.Split(p, "-")[1])
+		ps[i] = x.ParseAttr(strings.SplitN(p, "-", 2)[1])
 	}
 
 	return ps
diff --git a/dgraph/cmd/zero/oracle.go b/dgraph/cmd/zero/oracle.go
index e2d9f9ebf7a..7e31ccd9075 100644
--- a/dgraph/cmd/zero/oracle.go
+++ b/dgraph/cmd/zero/oracle.go
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@ func (s *Server) commit(ctx context.Context, src *api.TxnContext) error {
 	checkPreds := func() error {
 		// Check if any of these tablets is being moved. If so, abort the transaction.
 		for _, pkey := range src.Preds {
-			splits := strings.Split(pkey, "-")
+			splits := strings.SplitN(pkey, "-", 2)
 			if len(splits) < 2 {
 				return errors.Errorf("Unable to find group id in %s", pkey)
 			}
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ func (s *Server) commit(ctx context.Context, src *api.TxnContext) error {
 			if err != nil {
 				return errors.Wrapf(err, "unable to parse group id from %s", pkey)
 			}
-			pred := strings.Join(splits[1:], "-")
+			pred := splits[1]
 			tablet := s.ServingTablet(pred)
 			if tablet == nil {
 				return errors.Errorf("Tablet for %s is nil", pred)
diff --git a/edgraph/server.go b/edgraph/server.go
index 94cc2953982..58cd6234fbf 100644
--- a/edgraph/server.go
+++ b/edgraph/server.go
@@ -1110,16 +1110,7 @@ func filterTablets(ctx context.Context, ms *pb.MembershipState) error {
 		return errors.Errorf("Namespace not found in JWT.")
 	}
 	if namespace == x.GalaxyNamespace {
-		// For galaxy namespace, we don't want to filter out the predicates. We only format the
-		// namespace to human readable form.
-		for _, group := range ms.Groups {
-			tablets := make(map[string]*pb.Tablet)
-			for tabletName, tablet := range group.Tablets {
-				tablet.Predicate = x.FormatNsAttr(tablet.Predicate)
-				tablets[x.FormatNsAttr(tabletName)] = tablet
-			}
-			group.Tablets = tablets
-		}
+		// For galaxy namespace, we don't want to filter out the predicates.
 		return nil
 	}
 	for _, group := range ms.GetGroups() {
diff --git a/graphql/admin/state.go b/graphql/admin/state.go
index 1b851ba1b27..4240eb64983 100644
--- a/graphql/admin/state.go
+++ b/graphql/admin/state.go
@@ -47,13 +47,13 @@ func resolveState(ctx context.Context, q schema.Query) *resolve.Resolved {
 	u := jsonpb.Unmarshaler{}
 	var ms pb.MembershipState
 	err = u.Unmarshal(bytes.NewReader(resp.GetJson()), &ms)
-
 	if err != nil {
 		return resolve.EmptyResult(q, err)
 	}
 
-	// map to graphql response structure
-	state := convertToGraphQLResp(ms)
+	ns, _ := x.ExtractNamespace(ctx)
+	// map to graphql response structure. Only guardian of galaxy can list the namespaces.
+	state := convertToGraphQLResp(ms, ns == x.GalaxyNamespace)
 	b, err := json.Marshal(state)
 	if err != nil {
 		return resolve.EmptyResult(q, err)
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func resolveState(ctx context.Context, q schema.Query) *resolve.Resolved {
 // values and not the keys. For pb.MembershipState.Group, the keys are the group IDs
 // and pb.Group didn't contain this ID, so we are creating a custom clusterGroup type,
 // which is same as pb.Group and also contains the ID for the group.
-func convertToGraphQLResp(ms pb.MembershipState) membershipState {
+func convertToGraphQLResp(ms pb.MembershipState, listNs bool) membershipState {
 	var state membershipState
 
 	// namespaces stores set of namespaces
@@ -92,9 +92,8 @@ func convertToGraphQLResp(ms pb.MembershipState) membershipState {
 		var tablets = make([]*pb.Tablet, 0, len(v.Tablets))
 		for name, v1 := range v.Tablets {
 			tablets = append(tablets, v1)
-			val, err := x.ExtractNamespaceFromPredicate(name)
-			if err == nil {
-				namespaces[val] = struct{}{}
+			if listNs {
+				namespaces[x.ParseNamespace(name)] = struct{}{}
 			}
 		}
 		state.Groups = append(state.Groups, clusterGroup{
diff --git a/posting/index.go b/posting/index.go
index ee310b5d30f..26388178179 100644
--- a/posting/index.go
+++ b/posting/index.go
@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ func (r *rebuilder) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 
 	glog.V(1).Infof(
 		"Rebuilding index for predicate %s: Starting process. StartTs=%d. Prefix=\n%s\n",
-		x.FormatNsAttr(r.attr), r.startTs, hex.Dump(r.prefix))
+		r.attr, r.startTs, hex.Dump(r.prefix))
 
 	// Counter is used here to ensure that all keys are committed at different timestamp.
 	// We set it to 1 in case there are no keys found and NewStreamAt is called with ts=0.
@@ -600,8 +600,7 @@ func (r *rebuilder) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 
 	tmpWriter := tmpDB.NewManagedWriteBatch()
 	stream := pstore.NewStreamAt(r.startTs)
-	stream.LogPrefix = fmt.Sprintf("Rebuilding index for predicate %s (1/2):",
-		x.FormatNsAttr(r.attr))
+	stream.LogPrefix = fmt.Sprintf("Rebuilding index for predicate %s (1/2):", r.attr)
 	stream.Prefix = r.prefix
 	stream.KeyToList = func(key []byte, itr *badger.Iterator) (*bpb.KVList, error) {
 		// We should return quickly if the context is no longer valid.
@@ -663,21 +662,19 @@ func (r *rebuilder) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	glog.V(1).Infof("Rebuilding index for predicate %s: building temp index took: %v\n",
-		x.FormatNsAttr(r.attr), time.Since(start))
+		r.attr, time.Since(start))
 
 	// Now we write all the created posting lists to disk.
-	glog.V(1).Infof("Rebuilding index for predicate %s: writing index to badger",
-		x.FormatNsAttr(r.attr))
+	glog.V(1).Infof("Rebuilding index for predicate %s: writing index to badger", r.attr)
 	start = time.Now()
 	defer func() {
 		glog.V(1).Infof("Rebuilding index for predicate %s: writing index took: %v\n",
-			x.FormatNsAttr(r.attr), time.Since(start))
+			r.attr, time.Since(start))
 	}()
 
 	writer := pstore.NewManagedWriteBatch()
 	tmpStream := tmpDB.NewStreamAt(counter)
-	tmpStream.LogPrefix = fmt.Sprintf("Rebuilding index for predicate %s (2/2):",
-		x.FormatNsAttr(r.attr))
+	tmpStream.LogPrefix = fmt.Sprintf("Rebuilding index for predicate %s (2/2):", r.attr)
 	tmpStream.KeyToList = func(key []byte, itr *badger.Iterator) (*bpb.KVList, error) {
 		l, err := ReadPostingList(key, itr)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -720,8 +717,7 @@ func (r *rebuilder) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 	if err := tmpStream.Orchestrate(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	glog.V(1).Infof("Rebuilding index for predicate %s: Flushing all writes.\n",
-		x.FormatNsAttr(r.attr))
+	glog.V(1).Infof("Rebuilding index for predicate %s: Flushing all writes.\n", r.attr)
 	return writer.Flush()
 }
 
diff --git a/posting/list_test.go b/posting/list_test.go
index 57e1936b567..71bd00e7323 100644
--- a/posting/list_test.go
+++ b/posting/list_test.go
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ func TestAddMutation_mrjn2(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAddMutation_gru(t *testing.T) {
-	key := x.DataKey("question.tag", 0x01)
+	key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr("question.tag"), 0x01)
 	ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ func TestAddMutation_gru(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestAddMutation_gru2(t *testing.T) {
-	key := x.DataKey("question.tag", 0x100)
+	key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr("question.tag"), 0x100)
 	ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ func TestAddMutation_gru2(t *testing.T) {
 func TestAddAndDelMutation(t *testing.T) {
 	// Ensure each test uses unique key since we don't clear the postings
 	// after each test
-	key := x.DataKey("dummy_key", 0x927)
+	key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr("dummy_key"), 0x927)
 	ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -878,7 +878,7 @@ func createMultiPartList(t *testing.T, size int, addFacet bool) (*List, int) {
 	defer setMaxListSize(maxListSize)
 	maxListSize = 5000
 
-	key := x.DataKey(uuid.New().String(), 1331)
+	key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr(uuid.New().String()), 1331)
 	ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	commits := 0
@@ -926,7 +926,7 @@ func createAndDeleteMultiPartList(t *testing.T, size int) (*List, int) {
 	defer setMaxListSize(maxListSize)
 	maxListSize = 10000
 
-	key := x.DataKey(uuid.New().String(), 1331)
+	key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr(uuid.New().String()), 1331)
 	ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	commits := 0
@@ -1087,7 +1087,7 @@ func TestBinSplit(t *testing.T) {
 		defer func() {
 			maxListSize = originalListSize
 		}()
-		key := x.DataKey(uuid.New().String(), 1331)
+		key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr(uuid.New().String()), 1331)
 		ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		for i := 1; i <= size; i++ {
@@ -1268,7 +1268,7 @@ func TestMultiPartListDeleteAndAdd(t *testing.T) {
 	maxListSize = 5000
 
 	// Add entries to the maps.
-	key := x.DataKey(uuid.New().String(), 1331)
+	key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr(uuid.New().String()), 1331)
 	ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	for i := 1; i <= size; i++ {
@@ -1407,7 +1407,7 @@ func TestRecursiveSplits(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Create a list that should be split recursively.
 	size := int(1e5)
-	key := x.DataKey(uuid.New().String(), 1331)
+	key := x.DataKey(x.GalaxyAttr(uuid.New().String()), 1331)
 	ol, err := getNew(key, ps, math.MaxUint64)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	commits := 0
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/backup_test.go b/systest/backup/filesystem/backup_test.go
index 64e5d5ca59b..b0477b86645 100644
--- a/systest/backup/filesystem/backup_test.go
+++ b/systest/backup/filesystem/backup_test.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ var (
 	alphaBackupDir  = "/data/backups"
 	oldBackupDir1   = "/data/to_restore/1"
 	oldBackupDir2   = "/data/to_restore/2"
+	oldBackupDir3   = "/data/to_restore/3"
 	alphaContainers = []string{
 		"alpha1",
 		"alpha2",
@@ -92,7 +93,8 @@ func TestBackupOfOldRestore(t *testing.T) {
 	common.DirSetup(t)
 	common.CopyOldBackupDir(t)
 
-	conn, err := grpc.Dial(testutil.SockAddr, grpc.WithTransportCredentials(credentials.NewTLS(testutil.GetAlphaClientConfig(t))))
+	conn, err := grpc.Dial(testutil.SockAddr,
+		grpc.WithTransportCredentials(credentials.NewTLS(testutil.GetAlphaClientConfig(t))))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	dg := dgo.NewDgraphClient(api.NewDgraphClient(conn))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -105,7 +107,8 @@ func TestBackupOfOldRestore(t *testing.T) {
 	sendRestoreRequest(t, oldBackupDir1)
 	testutil.WaitForRestore(t, dg, testutil.SockAddrHttp)
 
-	resp, err := dg.NewTxn().Query(context.Background(), `{ authors(func: has(Author.name)) { count(uid) } }`)
+	q := `{ authors(func: has(Author.name)) { count(uid) } }`
+	resp, err := dg.NewTxn().Query(context.Background(), q)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.JSONEq(t, "{\"authors\":[{\"count\":1}]}", string(resp.Json))
 
@@ -117,7 +120,7 @@ func TestBackupOfOldRestore(t *testing.T) {
 	sendRestoreRequest(t, alphaBackupDir)
 	testutil.WaitForRestore(t, dg, testutil.SockAddrHttp)
 
-	resp, err = dg.NewTxn().Query(context.Background(), `{ authors(func: has(Author.name)) { count(uid) } }`)
+	resp, err = dg.NewTxn().Query(context.Background(), q)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	require.JSONEq(t, "{\"authors\":[{\"count\":1}]}", string(resp.Json))
 }
@@ -151,16 +154,19 @@ func TestRestoreOfOldBackup(t *testing.T) {
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 			require.JSONEq(t, r, string(resp.Json))
 		}
+
 		queryAndCheck("p1", 0)
 		queryAndCheck("p2", 2)
 		queryAndCheck("p3", 0)
 		queryAndCheck("p4", 2)
 	}
 	t.Run("backup of 20.11", func(t *testing.T) { test(oldBackupDir2) })
+	t.Run("backup of 21.03", func(t *testing.T) { test(oldBackupDir3) })
 }
 
 func TestBackupFilesystem(t *testing.T) {
-	conn, err := grpc.Dial(testutil.SockAddr, grpc.WithTransportCredentials(credentials.NewTLS(testutil.GetAlphaClientConfig(t))))
+	conn, err := grpc.Dial(testutil.SockAddr,
+		grpc.WithTransportCredentials(credentials.NewTLS(testutil.GetAlphaClientConfig(t))))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	dg := dgo.NewDgraphClient(api.NewDgraphClient(conn))
 
@@ -432,7 +438,8 @@ func runBackupInternal(t *testing.T, forceFull bool, numExpectedFiles,
 
 	var data interface{}
 	require.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&data))
-	require.Equal(t, "Success", testutil.JsonGet(data, "data", "backup", "response", "code").(string))
+	require.Equal(t, "Success",
+		testutil.JsonGet(data, "data", "backup", "response", "code").(string))
 	taskId := testutil.JsonGet(data, "data", "backup", "taskId").(string)
 	testutil.WaitForTask(t, taskId, true, testutil.SockAddrHttp)
 
@@ -440,7 +447,8 @@ func runBackupInternal(t *testing.T, forceFull bool, numExpectedFiles,
 	common.CopyToLocalFs(t)
 
 	files := x.WalkPathFunc(copyBackupDir, func(path string, isdir bool) bool {
-		return !isdir && strings.HasSuffix(path, ".backup") && strings.HasPrefix(path, "data/backups_copy/dgraph.")
+		return !isdir && strings.HasSuffix(path, ".backup") &&
+			strings.HasPrefix(path, "data/backups_copy/dgraph.")
 	})
 	require.Equal(t, numExpectedFiles, len(files))
 
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g1.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g1.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2a3070c33b4
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g1.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g2.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g2.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..45c0a95038f
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g2.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g3.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g3.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..45c0a95038f
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095641.969/r9-g3.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g1.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g1.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..353cc3af855
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g1.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g2.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g2.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..45c0a95038f
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g2.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g3.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g3.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..45c0a95038f
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095716.130/r21-g3.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g1.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g1.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..cf1f5adf0fc
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g1.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g2.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g2.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..45c0a95038f
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g2.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g3.backup b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g3.backup
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..45c0a95038f
Binary files /dev/null and b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/dgraph.20210517.095726.320/r26-g3.backup differ
diff --git a/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/manifest.json b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/manifest.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8b2efaa23bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/systest/backup/filesystem/data/to_restore/3/manifest.json
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"Manifests":[{"type":"full","since":0,"read_ts":9,"groups":{"1":["\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p1","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.p_query","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.xid","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.schema","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.drop.op","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.type","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p3","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p2"],"2":[],"3":[]},"backup_id":"quirky_kapitsa4","backup_num":1,"version":2103,"path":"dgraph.20210517.095641.969","encrypted":false,"drop_operations":null,"compression":"snappy"},{"type":"incremental","since":0,"read_ts":21,"groups":{"1":["\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.drop.op","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p1","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.schema","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.p_query","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p3","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.xid","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p4","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p2","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.type"],"2":[],"3":[]},"backup_id":"quirky_kapitsa4","backup_num":2,"version":2103,"path":"dgraph.20210517.095716.130","encrypted":false,"drop_operations":[{"drop_op":1}],"compression":"snappy"},{"type":"incremental","since":0,"read_ts":26,"groups":{"1":["\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p4","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p2","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.type","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p1","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.schema","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.p_query","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p3","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.drop.op","\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000dgraph.graphql.xid"],"2":[],"3":[]},"backup_id":"quirky_kapitsa4","backup_num":3,"version":2103,"path":"dgraph.20210517.095726.320","encrypted":false,"drop_operations":[{"drop_op":2,"drop_value":"\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000p3"}],"compression":"snappy"}]}
diff --git a/worker/backup.go b/worker/backup.go
index b25af95302e..22c248b12db 100644
--- a/worker/backup.go
+++ b/worker/backup.go
@@ -89,10 +89,6 @@ func (m *Manifest) getPredsInGroup(gid uint32) predicateSet {
 
 	predSet := make(predicateSet)
 	for _, pred := range preds {
-		if m.Version == 0 {
-			// For older versions, preds set will contain attribute without namespace.
-			pred = x.NamespaceAttr(x.GalaxyNamespace, pred)
-		}
 		predSet[pred] = struct{}{}
 	}
 	return predSet
diff --git a/worker/backup_ee.go b/worker/backup_ee.go
index 770244807c1..37b26b88407 100644
--- a/worker/backup_ee.go
+++ b/worker/backup_ee.go
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ func ProcessBackupRequest(ctx context.Context, req *pb.BackupRequest) error {
 	m := Manifest{
 		ReadTs:         req.ReadTs,
 		Groups:         predMap,
-		Version:        x.DgraphVersion,
+		Version:        x.ManifestVersion,
 		DropOperations: dropOperations,
 		Path:           dir,
 		Compression:    "snappy",
@@ -555,14 +555,14 @@ func (pr *BackupProcessor) CompleteBackup(ctx context.Context, m *Manifest) erro
 		return err
 	}
 
-	manifest, err := GetManifest(handler, uri)
+	manifest, err := GetManifestNoUpgrade(handler, uri)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	manifest.Manifests = append(manifest.Manifests, m)
 
-	if err := createManifest(handler, uri, manifest); err != nil {
-		return errors.Wrap(err, "Complete backup failed")
+	if err := CreateManifest(handler, uri, manifest); err != nil {
+		return errors.Wrap(err, "complete backup failed")
 	}
 	glog.Infof("Backup completed OK.")
 	return nil
diff --git a/worker/backup_manifest.go b/worker/backup_manifest.go
index cf610794bd4..5cc8eacb3cd 100644
--- a/worker/backup_manifest.go
+++ b/worker/backup_manifest.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ package worker
 
 import (
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"net/url"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
@@ -57,14 +58,9 @@ func verifyManifests(manifests []*Manifest) error {
 
 func getManifestsToRestore(
 	h UriHandler, uri *url.URL, req *pb.RestoreRequest) ([]*Manifest, error) {
-
-	if !h.DirExists("") {
-		return nil, errors.Errorf("getManifestsToRestore: The uri path: %q doesn't exists",
-			uri.Path)
-	}
-	manifest, err := getConsolidatedManifest(h, uri)
+	manifest, err := GetManifest(h, uri)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to get consolidated manifest")
+		return manifest.Manifests, err
 	}
 	return getFilteredManifests(h, manifest.Manifests, req)
 }
@@ -165,6 +161,62 @@ func getConsolidatedManifest(h UriHandler, uri *url.URL) (*MasterManifest, error
 	return &MasterManifest{Manifests: mlist}, nil
 }
 
+// upgradeManifest updates the in-memory manifest from various versions to the latest version.
+// If the manifest version is 0 (dgraph version < v21.03), attach namespace to the predicates and
+// the drop data/attr operation.
+// If the manifest version is 2103, convert the format of predicate from <ns bytes>|<attr> to
+// <ns string>-<attr>. This is because of a bug for namespace greater than 127.
+// See https://github.com/dgraph-io/dgraph/pull/7810
+// NOTE: Do not use the upgraded manifest to overwrite the non-upgraded manifest.
+func upgradeManifest(m *Manifest) error {
+	switch m.Version {
+	case 0:
+		for gid, preds := range m.Groups {
+			parsedPreds := preds[:0]
+			for _, pred := range preds {
+				parsedPreds = append(parsedPreds, x.GalaxyAttr(pred))
+			}
+			m.Groups[gid] = parsedPreds
+		}
+		for _, op := range m.DropOperations {
+			switch op.DropOp {
+			case pb.DropOperation_DATA:
+				op.DropValue = fmt.Sprintf("%#x", x.GalaxyNamespace)
+			case pb.DropOperation_ATTR:
+				op.DropValue = x.GalaxyAttr(op.DropValue)
+			default:
+				// do nothing for drop all and drop namespace.
+			}
+		}
+	case 2103:
+		for gid, preds := range m.Groups {
+			parsedPreds := preds[:0]
+			for _, pred := range preds {
+				ns_attr, err := x.AttrFrom2103(pred)
+				if err != nil {
+					return errors.Errorf("while parsing predicate got: %q", err)
+				}
+				parsedPreds = append(parsedPreds, ns_attr)
+			}
+			m.Groups[gid] = parsedPreds
+		}
+		for _, op := range m.DropOperations {
+			// We have a cluster wide drop data in v21.03.
+			if op.DropOp == pb.DropOperation_ATTR {
+				ns_attr, err := x.AttrFrom2103(op.DropValue)
+				if err != nil {
+					return errors.Errorf("while parsing the drop operation %+v got: %q",
+						op, err)
+				}
+				op.DropValue = ns_attr
+			}
+		}
+	case 2105:
+		// pass
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 func readManifest(h UriHandler, path string) (*Manifest, error) {
 	var m Manifest
 	b, err := h.Read(path)
@@ -200,10 +252,11 @@ func readMasterManifest(h UriHandler, path string) (*MasterManifest, error) {
 	return &m, nil
 }
 
-func GetManifest(h UriHandler, uri *url.URL) (*MasterManifest, error) {
+// GetManifestNoUpgrade returns the master manifest using the given handler and uri.
+func GetManifestNoUpgrade(h UriHandler, uri *url.URL) (*MasterManifest, error) {
 	if !h.DirExists("") {
-		return &MasterManifest{}, errors.Errorf("getManifest: The uri path: %q doesn't exists",
-			uri.Path)
+		return &MasterManifest{},
+			errors.Errorf("getManifestWithoutUpgrade: The uri path: %q doesn't exists", uri.Path)
 	}
 	manifest, err := getConsolidatedManifest(h, uri)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -212,7 +265,26 @@ func GetManifest(h UriHandler, uri *url.URL) (*MasterManifest, error) {
 	return manifest, nil
 }
 
-func createManifest(h UriHandler, uri *url.URL, manifest *MasterManifest) error {
+// GetManifest returns the master manifest using the given handler and uri. Additionally, it also
+// upgrades the manifest for the in-memory processing.
+// Note: This function must not be used when using the returned manifest for the purpose of
+// overwriting the old manifest.
+func GetManifest(h UriHandler, uri *url.URL) (*MasterManifest, error) {
+	manifest, err := GetManifestNoUpgrade(h, uri)
+	if err != nil {
+		return manifest, err
+	}
+	for _, m := range manifest.Manifests {
+		if err := upgradeManifest(m); err != nil {
+			return manifest, errors.Wrapf(err, "getManifest: failed to upgrade")
+		}
+	}
+	return manifest, nil
+}
+
+func CreateManifest(h UriHandler, uri *url.URL, manifest *MasterManifest) error {
+	var err error
+
 	w, err := h.CreateFile(tmpManifest)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "createManifest failed to create tmp path: ")
diff --git a/worker/groups.go b/worker/groups.go
index 455acb0cca8..14ac311539d 100644
--- a/worker/groups.go
+++ b/worker/groups.go
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ func (g *groupi) sendTablet(tablet *pb.Tablet) (*pb.Tablet, error) {
 	}
 
 	if out.GroupId == groups().groupId() {
-		glog.Infof("Serving tablet for: %v\n", x.FormatNsAttr(tablet.GetPredicate()))
+		glog.Infof("Serving tablet for: %v\n", tablet.GetPredicate())
 	}
 	return out, nil
 }
@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ func (g *groupi) Inform(preds []string) ([]*pb.Tablet, error) {
 		}
 
 		if t.GroupId == groups().groupId() {
-			glog.Infof("Serving tablet for: %v\n", x.FormatNsAttr(t.GetPredicate()))
+			glog.Infof("Serving tablet for: %v\n", t.GetPredicate())
 		}
 	}
 	g.Unlock()
diff --git a/worker/online_restore.go b/worker/online_restore.go
index 6fe53921451..d0e5ce5d084 100644
--- a/worker/online_restore.go
+++ b/worker/online_restore.go
@@ -288,15 +288,6 @@ func handleRestoreProposal(ctx context.Context, req *pb.RestoreRequest, pidx uin
 	lastManifest := manifests[0]
 	preds, ok := lastManifest.Groups[req.GroupId]
 
-	// Version is 0 if the backup was taken on an old version (v20.11).
-	if lastManifest.Version == 0 {
-		tmp := make([]string, 0, len(preds))
-		for _, pred := range preds {
-			tmp = append(tmp, x.GalaxyAttr(pred))
-		}
-		preds = tmp
-	}
-
 	if !ok {
 		return errors.Errorf("backup manifest does not contain information for group ID %d",
 			req.GroupId)
diff --git a/worker/restore_map.go b/worker/restore_map.go
index 2e5b1ba9834..9ccda63043b 100644
--- a/worker/restore_map.go
+++ b/worker/restore_map.go
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ type loadBackupInput struct {
 	restoreTs   uint64
 	preds       predicateSet
 	dropNs      map[uint64]struct{}
-	isOld       bool
+	version     int
 	keepSchema  bool
 	compression string
 }
@@ -388,11 +388,57 @@ func (m *mapper) processReqCh(ctx context.Context) error {
 				kv.Value, err = update.Marshal()
 				return err
 			}
-			if in.isOld && parsedKey.IsType() {
-				if err := appendNamespace(); err != nil {
-					glog.Errorf("Unable to (un)marshal type: %+v. Err=%v\n", parsedKey, err)
+			changeFormat := func() error {
+				// In the backup taken on 2103, we have the schemaUpdate.Predicate in format
+				// <namespace 8 bytes>|<attribute>. That had issues with JSON marshalling.
+				// So, we switched over to the format <namespace hex string>-<attribute>.
+				var err error
+				if parsedKey.IsSchema() {
+					var update pb.SchemaUpdate
+					if err := update.Unmarshal(kv.Value); err != nil {
+						return err
+					}
+					if update.Predicate, err = x.AttrFrom2103(update.Predicate); err != nil {
+						return err
+					}
+					kv.Value, err = update.Marshal()
+					return err
+				}
+				if parsedKey.IsType() {
+					var update pb.TypeUpdate
+					if err := update.Unmarshal(kv.Value); err != nil {
+						return err
+					}
+					if update.TypeName, err = x.AttrFrom2103(update.TypeName); err != nil {
+						return err
+					}
+					for _, sch := range update.Fields {
+						if sch.Predicate, err = x.AttrFrom2103(sch.Predicate); err != nil {
+							return err
+						}
+					}
+					kv.Value, err = update.Marshal()
+					return err
+				}
+				return nil
+			}
+			// We changed the format of predicate in 2103 and 2105. SchemaUpdate and TypeUpdate have
+			// predicate stored within them, so they also need to be updated accordingly.
+			switch in.version {
+			case 0:
+				if parsedKey.IsType() {
+					if err := appendNamespace(); err != nil {
+						glog.Errorf("Unable to (un)marshal type: %+v. Err=%v\n", parsedKey, err)
+						return nil
+					}
+				}
+			case 2103:
+				if err := changeFormat(); err != nil {
+					glog.Errorf("Unable to change format for: %+v Err=%+v", parsedKey, err)
 					return nil
 				}
+			default:
+				// for manifest versions >= 2015, do nothing.
 			}
 			// Reset the StreamId to prevent ordering issues while writing to stream writer.
 			kv.StreamId = 0
@@ -661,7 +707,7 @@ func RunMapper(req *pb.RestoreRequest, mapDir string) (*mapResult, error) {
 			in := &loadBackupInput{
 				preds:     predSet,
 				dropNs:    localDropNs,
-				isOld:     manifest.Version == 0,
+				version:   manifest.Version,
 				restoreTs: req.RestoreTs,
 				// Only map the schema keys corresponding to the latest backup.
 				keepSchema:  i == 0,
@@ -682,23 +728,18 @@ func RunMapper(req *pb.RestoreRequest, mapDir string) (*mapResult, error) {
 			case pb.DropOperation_ALL:
 				dropAll = true
 			case pb.DropOperation_DATA:
-				var ns uint64
-				if manifest.Version == 0 {
-					ns = x.GalaxyNamespace
-				} else {
-					var err error
-					ns, err = strconv.ParseUint(op.DropValue, 0, 64)
-					if err != nil {
-						return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "Map phase failed to parse namespace")
-					}
+				if op.DropValue == "" {
+					// In 2103, we do not support namespace level drop data.
+					dropAll = true
+					continue
+				}
+				ns, err := strconv.ParseUint(op.DropValue, 0, 64)
+				if err != nil {
+					return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "map phase failed to parse namespace")
 				}
 				dropNs[ns] = struct{}{}
 			case pb.DropOperation_ATTR:
-				p := op.DropValue
-				if manifest.Version == 0 {
-					p = x.NamespaceAttr(x.GalaxyNamespace, p)
-				}
-				dropAttr[p] = struct{}{}
+				dropAttr[op.DropValue] = struct{}{}
 			case pb.DropOperation_NS:
 				// pstore will be nil for export_backup tool. In that case we don't need to ban ns.
 				if pstore == nil {
diff --git a/x/keys.go b/x/keys.go
index 8ed78ab86ac..56ce6c7bd0f 100644
--- a/x/keys.go
+++ b/x/keys.go
@@ -57,8 +57,27 @@ const (
 	IgnoreBytes = "1-8"
 	// NamespaceOffset is the offset in badger key from which the next 8 bytes contain namespace.
 	NamespaceOffset = 1
+	// NsSeparator is the separator between between the namespace and attribute.
+	NsSeparator = "-"
 )
 
+// Invalid bytes are replaced with the Unicode replacement rune.
+// See https://golang.org/pkg/encoding/json/#Marshal
+const replacementRune = rune('\ufffd')
+
+// This function parse namespace that were stored in format used before 21.03 version.
+// The first 8 bytes are the namespace, rest is the predicate. This format caused issues
+// while marshalling, hence was removed. This function is there for backwards compatibility of
+// restore. Now we store the predicate as a string of format "hex(namespace)-predicate"
+func AttrFrom2103(attr string) (string, error) {
+	if strings.ContainsRune(attr, replacementRune) {
+		return "", errors.Errorf("replacement rune found while parsing attr: %s (%+v)",
+			attr, []byte(attr))
+	}
+	ns, pred := binary.BigEndian.Uint64([]byte(attr[:8])), attr[8:]
+	return NamespaceAttr(ns, pred), nil
+}
+
 func NamespaceToBytes(ns uint64) []byte {
 	buf := make([]byte, 8)
 	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(buf, ns)
@@ -67,7 +86,7 @@ func NamespaceToBytes(ns uint64) []byte {
 
 // NamespaceAttr is used to generate attr from namespace.
 func NamespaceAttr(ns uint64, attr string) string {
-	return string(NamespaceToBytes(ns)) + attr
+	return uintToStr(ns) + NsSeparator + attr
 }
 
 func NamespaceAttrList(ns uint64, preds []string) []string {
@@ -84,21 +103,25 @@ func GalaxyAttr(attr string) string {
 
 // ParseNamespaceAttr returns the namespace and attr from the given value.
 func ParseNamespaceAttr(attr string) (uint64, string) {
-	return binary.BigEndian.Uint64([]byte(attr[:8])), attr[8:]
+	splits := strings.SplitN(attr, NsSeparator, 2)
+	return strToUint(splits[0]), splits[1]
 }
 
 func ParseNamespaceBytes(attr string) ([]byte, string) {
-	return []byte(attr[:8]), attr[8:]
+	splits := strings.SplitN(attr, NsSeparator, 2)
+	ns := make([]byte, 8)
+	binary.BigEndian.PutUint64(ns, strToUint(splits[0]))
+	return ns, splits[1]
 }
 
 // ParseAttr returns the attr from the given value.
 func ParseAttr(attr string) string {
-	return attr[8:]
+	return strings.SplitN(attr, NsSeparator, 2)[1]
 }
 
 // ParseNamespace returns the namespace from the given value.
 func ParseNamespace(attr string) uint64 {
-	return binary.BigEndian.Uint64([]byte(attr[:8]))
+	return strToUint(strings.SplitN(attr, NsSeparator, 2)[0])
 }
 
 func ParseAttrList(attrs []string) []string {
@@ -109,26 +132,19 @@ func ParseAttrList(attrs []string) []string {
 	return resp
 }
 
-func IsReverseAttr(attr string) bool {
-	return attr[8] == '~'
+// For consistency, use base16 to encode/decode the namespace.
+func strToUint(s string) uint64 {
+	ns, err := strconv.ParseUint(s, 16, 64)
+	Check(err)
+	return ns
 }
-
-func FormatNsAttr(attr string) string {
-	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceAttr(attr)
-	return strconv.FormatUint(ns, 10) + "-" + attr
+func uintToStr(ns uint64) string {
+	return strconv.FormatUint(ns, 16)
 }
 
-func ExtractNamespaceFromPredicate(predicate string) (uint64, error) {
-	splitString := strings.Split(predicate, "-")
-	if len(splitString) <= 1 {
-		return 0, errors.Errorf("predicate does not contain namespace name")
-	}
-	uintVal, err := strconv.ParseUint(splitString[0], 0, 64)
-	if err != nil {
-		return 0, errors.Wrapf(err, "while parsing %s as uint64", splitString[0])
-	}
-	return uintVal, nil
-
+func IsReverseAttr(attr string) bool {
+	pred := strings.SplitN(attr, NsSeparator, 2)[1]
+	return pred[0] == '~'
 }
 
 func writeAttr(buf []byte, attr string) []byte {
@@ -143,19 +159,18 @@ func writeAttr(buf []byte, attr string) []byte {
 
 // genKey creates the key and writes the initial bytes (type byte, length of attribute,
 // and the attribute itself). It leaves the rest of the key empty for further processing
-// if necessary.
-func generateKey(typeByte byte, attr string, totalLen int) []byte {
-	AssertTrue(totalLen >= 1+2+len(attr))
-
-	buf := make([]byte, totalLen)
-	buf[0] = typeByte
+// if necessary. It also returns next index from where further processing should be done.
+func generateKey(typeByte byte, attr string, extra int) ([]byte, int) {
 	// Separate namespace and attribute from attr and write namespace in the first 8 bytes of key.
 	namespace, attr := ParseNamespaceBytes(attr)
+	prefixLen := 1 + 8 + 2 + len(attr) // byteType + ns + len(pred) + pred
+	buf := make([]byte, prefixLen+extra)
+	buf[0] = typeByte
 	AssertTrue(copy(buf[1:], namespace) == 8)
 	rest := buf[9:]
 
 	writeAttr(rest, attr)
-	return buf
+	return buf, prefixLen
 }
 
 // SchemaKey returns schema key for given attribute. Schema keys are stored
@@ -166,7 +181,8 @@ func generateKey(typeByte byte, attr string, totalLen int) []byte {
 // byte 1-2: length of attr
 // next len(attr) bytes: value of attr
 func SchemaKey(attr string) []byte {
-	return generateKey(ByteSchema, attr, 1+2+len(attr))
+	key, _ := generateKey(ByteSchema, attr, 0)
+	return key
 }
 
 // TypeKey returns type key for given type name. Type keys are stored separately
@@ -177,7 +193,8 @@ func SchemaKey(attr string) []byte {
 // byte 1-2: length of typeName
 // next len(attr) bytes: value of attr (the type name)
 func TypeKey(attr string) []byte {
-	return generateKey(ByteType, attr, 1+2+len(attr))
+	key, _ := generateKey(ByteType, attr, 0)
+	return key
 }
 
 // DataKey generates a data key with the given attribute and UID.
@@ -192,9 +209,8 @@ func TypeKey(attr string) []byte {
 //
 //	the split stored in this key and the first byte will be sets to ByteSplit.
 func DataKey(attr string, uid uint64) []byte {
-	prefixLen := 1 + 2 + len(attr)
-	totalLen := prefixLen + 1 + 8
-	buf := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, totalLen)
+	extra := 1 + 8 // ByteData + UID
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, extra)
 
 	rest := buf[prefixLen:]
 	rest[0] = ByteData
@@ -216,9 +232,8 @@ func DataKey(attr string, uid uint64) []byte {
 //
 //	the split stored in this key.
 func ReverseKey(attr string, uid uint64) []byte {
-	prefixLen := 1 + 2 + len(attr)
-	totalLen := prefixLen + 1 + 8
-	buf := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, totalLen)
+	extra := 1 + 8 // ByteReverse + UID
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, extra)
 
 	rest := buf[prefixLen:]
 	rest[0] = ByteReverse
@@ -240,9 +255,8 @@ func ReverseKey(attr string, uid uint64) []byte {
 //
 //	the split stored in this key.
 func IndexKey(attr, term string) []byte {
-	prefixLen := 1 + 2 + len(attr)
-	totalLen := prefixLen + 1 + len(term)
-	buf := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, totalLen)
+	extra := 1 + len(term) // ByteIndex + term
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, extra)
 
 	rest := buf[prefixLen:]
 	rest[0] = ByteIndex
@@ -262,9 +276,8 @@ func IndexKey(attr, term string) []byte {
 // next byte: data type prefix (set to ByteCount or ByteCountRev)
 // next four bytes: value of count.
 func CountKey(attr string, count uint32, reverse bool) []byte {
-	prefixLen := 1 + 2 + len(attr)
-	totalLen := prefixLen + 1 + 4
-	buf := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, totalLen)
+	extra := 1 + 4 // ByteCount + Count
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, attr, extra)
 
 	rest := buf[prefixLen:]
 	if reverse {
@@ -349,14 +362,9 @@ func (p ParsedKey) IsOfType(typ byte) bool {
 // SkipPredicate returns the first key after the keys corresponding to the predicate
 // of this key. Useful when iterating in the reverse order.
 func (p ParsedKey) SkipPredicate() []byte {
-	buf := make([]byte, 1+2+len(p.Attr)+1)
-	buf[0] = p.bytePrefix
-	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceBytes(p.Attr)
-	AssertTrue(copy(buf[1:], ns) == 8)
-	rest := buf[9:]
-	k := writeAttr(rest, attr)
-	AssertTrue(len(k) == 1)
-	k[0] = 0xFF
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(p.bytePrefix, p.Attr, 1)
+	AssertTrue(len(buf[prefixLen:]) == 1)
+	buf[prefixLen] = 0xFF
 	return buf
 }
 
@@ -377,56 +385,33 @@ func (p ParsedKey) SkipType() []byte {
 
 // DataPrefix returns the prefix for data keys.
 func (p ParsedKey) DataPrefix() []byte {
-	buf := make([]byte, 1+2+len(p.Attr)+1)
-	buf[0] = p.bytePrefix
-	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceBytes(p.Attr)
-	AssertTrue(copy(buf[1:], ns) == 8)
-	rest := buf[9:]
-	k := writeAttr(rest, attr)
-	AssertTrue(len(k) == 1)
-	k[0] = ByteData
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(p.bytePrefix, p.Attr, 1)
+	buf[prefixLen] = ByteData
 	return buf
 }
 
 // IndexPrefix returns the prefix for index keys.
 func (p ParsedKey) IndexPrefix() []byte {
-	buf := make([]byte, 1+2+len(p.Attr)+1)
-	buf[0] = DefaultPrefix
-	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceBytes(p.Attr)
-	AssertTrue(copy(buf[1:], ns) == 8)
-	rest := buf[9:]
-	k := writeAttr(rest, attr)
-	AssertTrue(len(k) == 1)
-	k[0] = ByteIndex
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, p.Attr, 1)
+	buf[prefixLen] = ByteIndex
 	return buf
 }
 
 // ReversePrefix returns the prefix for index keys.
 func (p ParsedKey) ReversePrefix() []byte {
-	buf := make([]byte, 1+2+len(p.Attr)+1)
-	buf[0] = DefaultPrefix
-	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceBytes(p.Attr)
-	AssertTrue(copy(buf[1:], ns) == 8)
-	rest := buf[9:]
-	k := writeAttr(rest, attr)
-	AssertTrue(len(k) == 1)
-	k[0] = ByteReverse
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, p.Attr, 1)
+	buf[prefixLen] = ByteReverse
 	return buf
 }
 
 // CountPrefix returns the prefix for count keys.
 func (p ParsedKey) CountPrefix(reverse bool) []byte {
-	buf := make([]byte, 1+2+len(p.Attr)+1)
-	buf[0] = p.bytePrefix
-	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceBytes(p.Attr)
-	AssertTrue(copy(buf[1:], ns) == 8)
-	rest := buf[9:]
-	k := writeAttr(rest, attr)
-	AssertTrue(len(k) == 1)
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, p.Attr, 1)
+	buf[prefixLen] = ByteReverse
 	if reverse {
-		k[0] = ByteCountRev
+		buf[prefixLen] = ByteCountRev
 	} else {
-		k[0] = ByteCount
+		buf[prefixLen] = ByteCount
 	}
 	return buf
 }
@@ -512,12 +497,8 @@ func TypePrefix() []byte {
 
 // PredicatePrefix returns the prefix for all keys belonging to this predicate except schema key.
 func PredicatePrefix(predicate string) []byte {
-	buf := make([]byte, 1+2+len(predicate))
-	buf[0] = DefaultPrefix
-	ns, predicate := ParseNamespaceBytes(predicate)
-	AssertTrue(copy(buf[1:], ns) == 8)
-	k := writeAttr(buf[9:], predicate)
-	AssertTrue(len(k) == 0)
+	buf, prefixLen := generateKey(DefaultPrefix, predicate, 0)
+	AssertTrue(len(buf) == prefixLen)
 	return buf
 }
 
@@ -572,7 +553,7 @@ func Parse(key []byte) (ParsedKey, error) {
 	if len(k) < sz {
 		return p, errors.Errorf("Invalid size %v for key %v", sz, key)
 	}
-	p.Attr = string(namespace) + string(k[:sz])
+	p.Attr = NamespaceAttr(binary.BigEndian.Uint64(namespace), string(k[:sz]))
 	k = k[sz:]
 
 	switch p.bytePrefix {
diff --git a/x/keys_test.go b/x/keys_test.go
index e77d071be24..bfb1e58c90e 100644
--- a/x/keys_test.go
+++ b/x/keys_test.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 package x
 
 import (
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"math"
 	"sort"
@@ -29,8 +30,8 @@ func TestNameSpace(t *testing.T) {
 	ns := uint64(133)
 	attr := "name"
 	nsAttr := NamespaceAttr(ns, attr)
-	require.Equal(t, 8+len(attr), len(nsAttr))
-	parsedAttr := ParseAttr(nsAttr)
+	parsedNs, parsedAttr := ParseNamespaceAttr(nsAttr)
+	require.Equal(t, ns, parsedNs)
 	require.Equal(t, attr, parsedAttr)
 }
 
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ func TestDataKey(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// key with uid = 0 is invalid
 	uid = 0
-	key := DataKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "bad uid"), uid)
+	key := DataKey(GalaxyAttr("bad uid"), uid)
 	_, err := Parse(key)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ func TestDataKey(t *testing.T) {
 		// Use the uid to derive the attribute so it has variable length and the test
 		// can verify that multiple sizes of attr work correctly.
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
-		key := DataKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), uid)
+		key := DataKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), uid)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -59,14 +60,14 @@ func TestDataKey(t *testing.T) {
 
 	keys := make([]string, 0, 1024)
 	for uid = 1024; uid >= 1; uid-- {
-		key := DataKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "testing.key"), uid)
+		key := DataKey(GalaxyAttr("testing.key"), uid)
 		keys = append(keys, string(key))
 	}
 	// Test that sorting is as expected.
 	sort.Strings(keys)
 	require.True(t, sort.StringsAreSorted(keys))
 	for i, key := range keys {
-		exp := DataKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "testing.key"), uint64(i+1))
+		exp := DataKey(GalaxyAttr("testing.key"), uint64(i+1))
 		require.Equal(t, string(exp), key)
 	}
 }
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ func TestParseDataKeyWithStartUid(t *testing.T) {
 	startUid := uint64(math.MaxUint64)
 	for uid = 1; uid < 1001; uid++ {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
-		key := DataKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), uid)
+		key := DataKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), uid)
 		key, err := SplitKey(key, startUid)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ func TestIndexKey(t *testing.T) {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
 		sterm := fmt.Sprintf("term:%d", uid)
 
-		key := IndexKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), sterm)
+		key := IndexKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), sterm)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -113,7 +114,7 @@ func TestIndexKeyWithStartUid(t *testing.T) {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
 		sterm := fmt.Sprintf("term:%d", uid)
 
-		key := IndexKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), sterm)
+		key := IndexKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), sterm)
 		key, err := SplitKey(key, startUid)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ func TestReverseKey(t *testing.T) {
 	for uid = 1; uid < 1001; uid++ {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
 
-		key := ReverseKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), uid)
+		key := ReverseKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), uid)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ func TestReverseKeyWithStartUid(t *testing.T) {
 	for uid = 1; uid < 1001; uid++ {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
 
-		key := ReverseKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), uid)
+		key := ReverseKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), uid)
 		key, err := SplitKey(key, startUid)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
@@ -167,7 +168,7 @@ func TestCountKey(t *testing.T) {
 	for count = 0; count < 1001; count++ {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", count)
 
-		key := CountKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), count, true)
+		key := CountKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), count, true)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -183,7 +184,7 @@ func TestCountKeyWithStartUid(t *testing.T) {
 	for count = 0; count < 1001; count++ {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", count)
 
-		key := CountKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr), count, true)
+		key := CountKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr), count, true)
 		key, err := SplitKey(key, startUid)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ func TestSchemaKey(t *testing.T) {
 	for uid = 0; uid < 1001; uid++ {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
 
-		key := SchemaKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr))
+		key := SchemaKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr))
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -216,7 +217,7 @@ func TestTypeKey(t *testing.T) {
 	for uid = 0; uid < 1001; uid++ {
 		sattr := fmt.Sprintf("attr:%d", uid)
 
-		key := TypeKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, sattr))
+		key := TypeKey(GalaxyAttr(sattr))
 		pk, err := Parse(key)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -236,16 +237,16 @@ func TestBadStartUid(t *testing.T) {
 		require.Error(t, err)
 	}
 
-	key := DataKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "aa"), 1)
+	key := DataKey(GalaxyAttr("aa"), 1)
 	testKey(key)
 
-	key = ReverseKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "aa"), 1)
+	key = ReverseKey(GalaxyAttr("aa"), 1)
 	testKey(key)
 
-	key = CountKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "aa"), 0, false)
+	key = CountKey(GalaxyAttr("aa"), 0, false)
 	testKey(key)
 
-	key = CountKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "aa"), 0, true)
+	key = CountKey(GalaxyAttr("aa"), 0, true)
 	testKey(key)
 }
 
@@ -271,7 +272,35 @@ func TestBadKeys(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// key with uid = 0 is invalid
 	uid := 0
-	key = DataKey(NamespaceAttr(GalaxyNamespace, "bad uid"), uint64(uid))
+	key = DataKey(GalaxyAttr("bad uid"), uint64(uid))
 	_, err = Parse(key)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 }
+
+func TestJsonMarshal(t *testing.T) {
+	type predicate struct {
+		Predicate string `json:"predicate,omitempty"`
+	}
+
+	p := &predicate{Predicate: NamespaceAttr(129, "name")}
+	b, err := json.Marshal(p)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	var p2 predicate
+	require.NoError(t, json.Unmarshal(b, &p2))
+	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceAttr(p2.Predicate)
+	require.Equal(t, uint64(129), ns)
+	require.Equal(t, "name", attr)
+}
+
+func TestNsSeparator(t *testing.T) {
+	uid := uint64(10)
+	pred := "name" + NsSeparator + "surname"
+	key := DataKey(GalaxyAttr(pred), uid)
+	pk, err := Parse(key)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Equal(t, uid, pk.Uid)
+	ns, attr := ParseNamespaceAttr(pk.Attr)
+	require.Equal(t, GalaxyNamespace, ns)
+	require.Equal(t, pred, attr)
+}
diff --git a/x/x.go b/x/x.go
index 997c179507c..cdd27ded7fc 100644
--- a/x/x.go
+++ b/x/x.go
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ const (
 		"X-CSRF-Token, X-Auth-Token, X-Requested-With"
 	DgraphCostHeader = "Dgraph-TouchedUids"
 
-	DgraphVersion = 2103
+	ManifestVersion = 2105
 )
 
 var (