The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) on Tuesday clarified that the loss of over 52,500 Haj slots for Indian pilgrims this year was due to shortcomings by private tour operators, not a reduction in quota by Saudi authorities. While public concern mounted over reports of large-scale slot cancellations, the ministry emphasized that the primary issue was the failure of Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) to meet critical deadlines set by Saudi Arabia.
India’s annual Haj quota—determined by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—has risen steadily over the years, from 136,020 in 2014 to 175,025 in 2025. Of these, the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) is responsible for managing the pilgrimage for 122,518 pilgrims this year. The remaining slots are allocated to private tour operators, who are required to independently arrange flights, accommodation, transportation, and camp setups at Mina, near Mecca, where pilgrims congregate during the Haj.
This reduction of Haj 2025 quota at the Last Minute has shattered the Dream of thousand of intending pilgrims and left tour operators at cross roads who to pick and who to leave in 20% at last miniute ! pic.twitter.com/VNjNfzfY4u
— Dr. Umar Nazir Tibet Baqal (@untbaqal) April 15, 2025
Missed Deadlines by Private Operators
In a detailed post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Minority Affairs Ministry stated that over 800 private tour operators, grouped under the category of Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs), were unable to complete essential arrangements—especially for Mina camps, accommodation, and transportation—as required by updated Saudi guidelines.
“Despite repeated reminders, CHGOs failed to meet critical Saudi deadlines and could not finalize required contracts,” the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia has made strict operational changes to Haj management, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a more regulated and technologically integrated pilgrimage process. In line with these changes, MoMA consolidated the 800+ operators into 26 CHGOs, distributing quota well in advance to allow for smoother coordination.
Haj Committee of India Met All Requirements
While the private operators struggled, the Haj Committee of India successfully completed all necessary preparations, including:
- Flight schedules and bookings
- Accommodation arrangements
- Transportation logistics
- Services and Mina camp preparations
These preparations were aligned with Saudi Arabia’s updated norms and completed on time, ensuring that public sector pilgrims will face no disruptions this year.
Saudi Portal Closure Created Further Challenges
Sources familiar with the issue noted that the closure of Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk (Haj) portal further complicated matters. This online portal is used for registering private operators and finalizing contracts for logistics. Due to the delays, the portal was closed before CHGOs could finish their bookings, and Saudi authorities declined to extend the deadlines.
After multiple rounds of diplomatic engagement between India and Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah expressed concerns about pilgrims’ safety, especially considering the extreme heat in Mina and the lack of available space.
“The Saudi side said that due to the delays, space at Mina was already occupied and no extensions would be given to any country this year,” MoMA explained.
Government Intervention Saves 10,000 Slots
Following high-level interventions by the Indian government, including discussions at the ministerial level, the Saudi authorities agreed to reopen the Haj portal to accommodate an additional 10,000 Indian pilgrims under private tour operators. This partial recovery has offered some relief to the thousands who had feared cancellation of their pilgrimage.
“India remains appreciative of any further gesture from Saudi authorities to accommodate more pilgrims,” MoMA said.
The ministry has now issued urgent directions to all CHGOs to complete their registration and contractual formalities immediately and to avoid further losses or delays.
Political Leaders Demand Action
Reports of the initial loss of 52,500 slots sparked political outcry across the country, particularly from leaders in states with large Muslim populations.
MK Stalin (Tamil Nadu Chief Minister)
In a post on X, he said:
“The sudden cut in India’s private Haj quota has caused distress to thousands of pilgrims. I urge Hon’ble @DrSJaishankar to engage with the Saudi authorities and seek an expeditious resolution.”
Omar Abdullah (Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister)
“The reported cancellation of Haj slots for over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom have already completed payments, is deeply concerning.”
Mehbooba Mufti (PDP Chief)
“This sudden decision is causing immense distress for pilgrims and tour operators across the country. Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene.”
India’s Growing Haj Quota
India’s quota has steadily expanded over the past decade, thanks to strong diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia. In 2014, the quota stood at 136,020, and by 2025, it had increased to 175,025. This growth reflects:
- Increased demand for Haj from Indian pilgrims
- Strategic bilateral engagement between India and Saudi Arabia
- The rising capability of Indian authorities to manage large-scale pilgrimages
Of the total 2025 quota:
- 122,518 slots are managed by the Haj Committee of India
- 52,507 slots were assigned to private CHGOs
Unfortunately, it is the CHGO-managed portion that faced severe disruption this year.
What’s Next for Affected Pilgrims?
Many pilgrims had already completed initial payments, booked travel, and undergone medical checks in preparation for the journey. The failure of CHGOs to secure Mina accommodations has created anxiety, financial uncertainty, and emotional distress for families across India.
With only 10,000 of the 52,500 lost slots now recovered, pressure is mounting on CHGOs to act swiftly and ensure no further wastage of capacity.
The Minority Affairs Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs are expected to continue engaging with their Saudi counterparts in an effort to recover as many of the remaining slots as possible.
Conclusion: Accountability and Reform Needed
The current Haj slot crisis highlights the need for greater accountability and operational readiness among private operators. As India’s Muslim population grows and more people seek to fulfill the sacred duty of Haj, there is an urgent need for:
- Stricter compliance mechanisms for CHGOs
- Digitization and real-time coordination with Saudi systems
- Transparency in allocation and management of private sector slots
While the government has acted promptly to recover some of the lost ground, the episode serves as a reminder that coordination and punctuality are essential in managing international religious events of this scale.
As of now, India awaits further goodwill gestures from Saudi Arabia while ensuring that affected pilgrims are not left behind due to administrative lapses.
