Haj 2025 a Milestone in Pilgrim Welfare: Kiren Rijiju

The meeting convened key stakeholders to assess the outcomes of this year’s pilgrimage and lay the groundwork for Haj 2026, with a strong emphasis on inter-ministerial coordination, digital innovation, and pilgrim-centric reforms.

The review meeting, convened by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, brought together key stakeholders to evaluate the outcomes of Haj 2025 and to chart the course for Haj 2026. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Shri George Kurian also attended the occasion. Secretary of Minority Affairs Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar and Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Arun K. Chatterjee were present, along with senior representatives from the Ministries of External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs, the Haj Committee of India and other agencies involved in the pilgrimage.

In his opening remarks, Shri Rijiju lauded the exemplary inter-ministerial coordination that enabled a smooth and comfortable experience for Indian pilgrims. He attributed the high satisfaction levels among pilgrims to a series of policy reforms by the Government of India and the consequent improved services. These included mandatory companions for senior citizens and Ladies Without Mehram (LWM) above the age of 65, compulsory health screenings for pilgrims aged 60 and above and the deployment of State Haj Inspectors (SHIs) in the ratio of 1:150 to ensure on-ground support.

The meeting took stock of structured feedback collected from pilgrims, officials and partner agencies. Special attention was paid to critical aspects such as medical care, safety measures, transport services and grievance redressal mechanisms. The Minister said that inputs gathered from these reviews would inform the formulation of Haj 2026 policies and guidelines with an emphasis on blending pilgrim expectations with technological innovations.

Key agenda points included discussions on India’s expected quota for 2026, which is likely to be announced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on July 14. In line with Saudi directives, children below 12 years will not be eligible for Haj 2026 while senior citizens (aged 65 and above) and women travelling without a male companion (above 45 years) will continue to receive preference.

With Saudi Arabia advancing the Haj 2026 timeline, Shri Rijiju urged all concerned ministries and departments to expedite preparations. He also stated that the Haj Committee of India is expected to open applications for Haj 2026 for Indian pilgrims in the coming week.

Among the new proposals discussed was the introduction of a short-duration (20-day) Haj package for a limited number of pilgrims at select embarkation points, designed to accommodate working professionals who are unable to participate in the longer standard itinerary.

The meeting also approved the rollout of Haj Suvidha smart wristbands for all pilgrims travelling through the Haj Committee of India. The wristbands will be equipped with health monitoring features, location tracking for lost pilgrims, and emergency medical alert functions. Calling it a “transformational step,” Shri Rijiju said the integration of technology would significantly enhance the safety and comfort of Indian pilgrims.

Concluding the meeting, the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring a safe, seamless, and affordable Haj experience. He thanked all participating ministries and organisations for their tireless efforts and sustained collaboration in making Haj 2025 a resounding success.