New Delhi: 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 this week. 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.
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 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.
After the Saudi Ministry of Hajj raised safety concerns, India engaged with Saudi officials at multiple levels, including ministerial discussions, to address the issue. Following these interventions, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj agreed to reopen the Nusuk Portal, allowing 10,000 more Indian pilgrims to register.
