Gandhinagar, Nov 1 (NationPress) The Gujarat State Haj Committee, part of the General Administration Department, has opened applications for eligible state government employees who wish to take on the role of State Haj Inspectors for Haj 2026, as confirmed by government officials on Saturday.

The online application system, which started on October 15, 2025, will close in just two days, on November 3, 2025. However, offline applications can be submitted until November 5, 2025.

The position of State Haj Inspector is vital for assisting pilgrims during their sacred journey.

Appointed inspectors will be sent to Saudi Arabia for approximately two months under the oversight of the Consulate General of India in Jeddah via the Haj Committee of India.

This deputation will be considered official duty, and regular salaries and allowances will be paid by their respective departments.

To qualify for the State Haj Inspector role for Haj 2026, applicants must be Muslim officers or employees currently working within the Gujarat government, its public sector undertakings, autonomous institutions, or commissions, and should possess a graduate degree from an accredited university.

However, Class I officers or those in equivalent positions, along with contractual employees or those hired through outsourcing, are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must also be under the age of 50 years as of October 15, 2025, ensuring that physically fit and capable individuals are chosen for this demanding role.

Each candidate must hold a valid Indian passport, with an expiry date beyond December 31, 2026, to accommodate the entire duration of the Haj deputation and related travel.

Those who have served as State Haj Inspectors or Khadim-ul-Hujjaj on three or more occasions will not be eligible, as preference will be given to new candidates or those with fewer prior experiences to promote broader participation among qualified government employees.

Additionally, every applicant is required to upload a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective department, organization, or competent authority during the online submission process.

If the NOC is unavailable at the application time, candidates must upload a written declaration promising to provide the NOC during the interview.

This procedure ensures proper administrative clearance and accountability for deputation from their parent department.

Interested candidates must first apply through the Haj Committee of India website (http://hajcommittee.gov.in) by November 3, 2025.

Following this, they need to complete the State Haj Committee online form at https://haj.gujarat.gov.in and upload the necessary details and documents.

A hard copy of the completed application, sent via the head of their department or public enterprise, must arrive at: Secretary, Gujarat State Haj Committee, Block No. 8, 8th Floor, Secretariat, Gandhinagar, by November 5, 2025, during office hours.

Applications that are incomplete, lack necessary documents, or arrive past the deadline will not be considered for selection.

According to the guidelines from the Haj Committee of India and the Ministry of Minority Affairs, candidates will be selected through a computer-based test followed by an interview.

For Haj 2026, one State Haj Inspector will be assigned for every 150 pilgrims.

Selected candidates must obtain approval from their parent department or competent authority and cover 50% of the deputation cost (Rs 2,10,000).