Key Points
- India’s Haj quota for 2025 has risen to a record 1,75,025, up from 1,36,020 in 2014, reflecting stronger India-Saudi Arabia ties.
- The Haj Committee of India has completed all arrangements for 1,22,518 pilgrims under the government quota, including flights, accommodation, and Mina camp logistics.
- Only 26 Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) were authorized this year, down from over 800 private operators, to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Due to missed deadlines by CHGOs, 80% of the private quota was initially cancelled, putting over 52,000 pilgrims at risk of missing Haj 2025.
- After high-level intervention by the Indian government, Saudi Arabia reopened the Haj portal, restoring 10,000 slots for Indian pilgrims—a major diplomatic win ahead of PM Modi’s Saudi visit.
New Delhi:The Haj pilgrimage for Indian Muslims in 2025 is set to be smoother and more inclusive than ever, thanks to a historic increase in India’s quota and a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough that saved thousands of pilgrims from missing their spiritual journey.
Record Quota Reflects Stronger Bilateral Ties
India’s Haj quota for 2025 has been fixed at 1,75,025 pilgrims, a significant jump from 1,36,020 in 2014 the year Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office. This increase, finalized annually by Saudi authorities, is widely seen as a result of deepening India-Saudi Arabia relations and comes just ahead of PM Modi’s scheduled visit to the Kingdom on April 22-23.
Of the total quota, 1,22,518 pilgrims will travel under the government-managed Haj Committee of India, with all arrangements flights, accommodation, transportation, and Mina camp logistics completed as per Saudi guidelines.
Private Operator Crisis and Government Intervention
This year, the government consolidated over 800 private tour operators into just 26 Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) to ensure greater transparency and accountability. However, a major crisis erupted when these CHGOs failed to meet critical Saudi deadlines for finalizing contracts for Mina camps, accommodation, and transport. As a result, Saudi authorities cancelled 80% of the private quota, affecting over 52,000 Indian pilgrims who had booked through private operators.
The situation was dire, with many pilgrims facing the heartbreak of missing Haj despite having paid in full and made all preparations. The Saudi side cited safety concerns and lack of available space in Mina, refusing to grant deadline extensions to any country this year.
Diplomatic Breakthrough: 10,000 Pilgrims Saved
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Indian government launched urgent high-level talks with Saudi officials, involving the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. Thanks to these efforts, the Saudi Haj Ministry agreed to temporarily reopen the official Haj (Nusuk) portal, allowing CHGOs to complete arrangements for 10,000 additional pilgrims based on current availability in Mina.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has now directed all CHGOs to urgently finalize contracts and complete the process without delay, ensuring that these 10,000 pilgrims can proceed with their journey.
Enhanced Facilities and Transparent Process
- Arrangements for Government Quota Pilgrims: All logistics for 1,22,518 pilgrims under the Haj Committee of India have been completed, including flights, transport, accommodation, and Mina camp services, in line with Saudi regulations.
- Private Quota Streamlined: Only 26 CHGOs are authorized this year, replacing the previous system of 800+ private operators, to improve oversight and service quality.
- Safety and Comfort: The Saudi Haj Ministry has emphasized safety, especially in Mina, due to extreme heat and limited space, and has worked closely with Indian authorities to ensure all arrangements meet international standards.
Looking Ahead: PM Modi’s Saudi Visit
Experts believe that Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia could yield further concessions and improvements for Indian Haj pilgrims, building on the current momentum of bilateral cooperation.
