Government Allocates 52,507 Pilgrims to Haj Group Organisers for 2025
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New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) - The Parliament was notified that for Haj 2025, the designated quota for Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) stands at 52,507 pilgrims.
The total quota for India has been established by Saudi Arabia at 1,75,025 pilgrims, which is divided between the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and HGOs.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, in a written statement, informed the Rajya Sabha that the HGO Policy for Haj 2025 has been developed and the application process for HGOs has commenced early this year to ensure the online selection process aligns with the guidelines and timelines set by Saudi Arabia.
In response to a query from Haris Beeran of the Indian Union Muslim League, the Minister stated, “Saudi Arabia’s regulations for Haj 2025 permit only those organizations capable of serving a minimum of 2,000 Haj pilgrims, prioritizing quality, experience, and capability.”
Considering Saudi Arabia's directives and the best practices of other nations, the Indian Government, via the HGO Policy for Haj 2025, aims to select organizations that emphasize experience.
Minister Rijiju mentioned that comprehensive information regarding the application process, including categories and eligibility criteria, can be found on the Ministry of Minority Affairs website (https://minorityaffairs.gov.in/).
He noted that the Haj quota for HGOs accounts for 30 percent of India’s total of 1,75,025, which translates to 52,507 pilgrims.
In response to another inquiry from Ramji Lal Suman of the Samajwadi Party, Minister Rijiju clarified that the distribution of the Haj quota between HCoI and HGOs remains consistent with previous practices.
Over the past five years, the quota allocation between HCoI and HGOs has fluctuated between 70:30 and 80:20.
For 2025, the allocation follows the same ratio of 70:30, as detailed in the Haj Policy-2025 released on August 5, 2024.
The allotment of the Haj quota and the terms related to Haj Group Organisers (HGO) are dictated by a bilateral agreement between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which takes into account various ground realities.
