Saudi Arabia reopens Hajj portal, adds 10,000 slots for Indians pilgrims

Saudi Arabia will accommodate 10,000 additional Indian Hajj pilgrims this year, increasing India's total quota to 175,025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs said on Tuesday. The decision follows a request from the government after several Indian private tour operators missed key deadlines set by Saudi authorities. This raised concerns regarding the accommodation and arrangements for Indian pilgrims.

The missed deadlines resulted in the cancellation of 52,000 private slots, according to reports. Several political leaders asked the government to help those intending to go on Hajj after the cancellation of 80% of the private slots.

Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam. It is performed during a specific period and culminates with Eid.

In a post on X, the Ministry of Minority Affairs noted that India’s annual Hajj quota had risen from 136,020 in 2014



to 175,025 in 2025. Of these, 122,518 pilgrims are being managed by the Hajj Committee of India.

"The Government of India accords high priority to facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage for Indian Muslims," the ministry stated.

“Through the Hajj Committee of India, all necessary preparations—flights, transport, Mina camps, accommodation, and services—have been completed as per Saudi guidelines.”

The remaining quota was allocated to private tour operators. The Ministry explained that over 800 private operators were consolidated into 26 Combined Hajj Group Operators (CHGOs) in accordance with updated Saudi norms.

“Quota was allocated to them well in advance,” the Ministry added. “However, the CHGOs failed to meet critical Saudi deadlines and did not finalize the necessary contracts for Mina camps, accommodation, and transportation—despite repeated reminders.”