In a significant update for the Haj pilgrimage, the Government of India has unveiled its Haj Policy for 2025, revising the allocation of pilgrim quotas and implementing new regulations for older travelers. The new policy delineates that 70% of India's total Haj quota will be managed by the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), while the remaining 30% will be allocated to private Haj Group Organisers. This marks a shift from the 2024 policy, which had assigned 80% of the quota to HCoI and 20% to private organisers.
Revised Priority and Age Regulations
The updated policy alters the order of priority for Haj applications. Previously, priority was given to applicants aged 70 and above, followed by women traveling without mehrams (LWM), and then the general category. The new policy, however, prioritizes those aged 65 and above first, followed by LWM pilgrims and the general category.
In response to the challenging nature of the Haj pilgrimage, the policy introduces stricter regulations for older pilgrims. Specifically, it mandates that no pilgrim aged 65 or above will be registered as a lone member in the reserved category. Instead, all such pilgrims must travel with a companion. For LWM pilgrims aged 65 or older, a female companion aged 45 to 60 is required.
For non-LWM pilgrims in the 65-plus age group, the companion must be an immediate relative, including spouses, siblings, children, and grandchildren. The policy stipulates that only these close relations are eligible to accompany the elderly pilgrims.
Companion Requirements and Regulations
The policy further specifies that neither the pilgrim nor their companion can travel alone. The companion must be under 60 years old as specified by HCoI. If both members of a couple are aged 65 or above and are traveling under the reserved category, they are permitted two companions, who must be blood relatives.
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Additionally, the policy mandates that the age of the 'Mehram' and companions for pilgrims aged 65 and above must be between 18 and 60 years, with female companions for LWM pilgrims falling between the ages of 45 and 60.
Technological Enhancements and Application Process
The Haj Policy 2025 also introduces a dedicated 'Haj Suvidha' App, launched during Haj-2024. This app is designed to enhance the convenience and ease for Indian Haj pilgrims by offering features such as access to training content, accommodation and flight details, emergency help, grievance redressal, and language translation.
Pilgrims are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the app, and advisories on its functionalities will be issued periodically by HCoI. Haj Application Forms (HAFs) can be filled out online through the HCoI website at hajcommittee.gov.in, which is also accessible via mobile phones.
The bilateral agreement between India and Saudi Arabia, signed last year, allocated a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the 2024 Haj pilgrimage. This agreement underscores the ongoing collaboration between the two nations to facilitate the annual pilgrimage for Indian devotees.
