Union Government to start accepting Haj applications for 2026 from next week

Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Friday (July 4, 2025) said that the government will start accepting applications for Haj-2026, within a week.

Terming the management of Haj 2025 as historic, Mr. Rijiju said that “it was one of the most successful ever”. Highlighting that the fatality rate has gone down to 64 this year from 220 in 2024, the Minister also gave credit of Haj’s success to the External Affairs Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry and the Health Ministry.

Speaking to the press after participating in the Haj review meeting, held at Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi on Friday (July 04, 2025), Mr. Rijiju added that the government was planning to build on this success to ensure an even more seamless experience in 2026. He requested all the applicants to fill up the form and apply within the allocated time frame. He also directed the Haj Committee of India to deposit the payment to the Saudi Arabian government before the deadline.

Officials from the Ministry informed that a companion was mandatory to look after pilgrims above 65 years of age who wish to take the Haj. They added that the government was considering the request for separate accommodations for men and women.