70 percent of the quota will now be managed by the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and the remaining 30 percent allocated to private Haj Group Organisers…reports Asian Lite News
Under the new Haj Policy for 2025, India has revised the allocation of its Haj pilgrims quota, with 70 percent managed by the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and the remaining 30 percent allocated to private Haj Group Organisers. This marks a change from 2024, when the HCoI was responsible for 80 percent of the quota and private groups handled 20 percent.
The policy prioritises different groups for the pilgrimage. In 2024, priority was given to applicants aged 70 and above, ladies traveling without mehrams (LWM), and the general category. The new policy adjusts this to prioritise pilgrims aged 65 and above, followed by LWM applicants, and then the general category.
A significant change is the requirement for older pilgrims to have companions. The policy stipulates that pilgrims aged 65 or above must travel with a companion and cannot be registered as lone members. Companions must be immediate family members and be below 60 years of age. For LWM pilgrims aged 65 or above, the companion must be a female aged between 45 and 60 years.
The policy also introduces a ‘Haj Suvidha’ App, launched during Haj-2024, to enhance the convenience and support for Indian pilgrims. The app provides access to training content, accommodation, flight and baggage details, emergency helpline (SOS), grievance redressal, feedback, language translation, and other relevant information.
Haj Application Forms (HAFs) can be completed online via the HCoI website, accessible on mobile phones. The Indian government and Saudi Arabia sign an annual bilateral agreement specifying the number of Haj seats allocated to India. For 2024, India was allotted a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims under this agreement.
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