Saudi Haj Portal Reopens for Additional Indian Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia has reopened its Haj portal to accommodate 10,000 more Indian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, scheduled between June 4 and June 9. The move follows intervention by India’s Ministry of Minority Affairs after more than 52,500 slots were lost due to delays by private tour operators in meeting Saudi deadlines.
Earlier this year, India had secured a quota of 175,025 pilgrims under a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia. Of these, 122,518 were assigned to the Haj Committee of India, while the rest were to be handled by Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs). However, many CHGOs failed to fulfill essential requirements such as uploading passport details and completing payments for accommodation and travel within the Saudi system, resulting in a massive lapse in allotted slots.
To address the situation, the Indian government held urgent consultations with Saudi authorities, leading to the decision to reopen the Haj portal and reinstate 10,000 of the lost slots. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has issued fresh instructions to CHGOs to expedite all pending formalities and ensure that the additional quota is utilized without further delays.
This development comes as a relief for thousands of Indian Muslims who were left in limbo due to administrative lapses by private operators. The government emphasized that it remains committed to ensuring a smooth and inclusive pilgrimage experience for all citizens, while also expressing gratitude to the Saudi government for its timely cooperation.
Efforts are now underway to finalize the logistics and travel arrangements for the newly accommodated pilgrims, ensuring they can participate in the spiritual journey without disruption.
