Haj 2026 Policy Announced: 70:30 Quota Split for Pilgrims, Status Quo Maintained for Operators
New Delhi, 9th September 2025: The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, has issued a crucial notice regarding the Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGO)/Haj Group Operator (HGO) Policy for Haj 2026, outlining the distribution of pilgrim quotas and operational guidelines. The announcement, dated August 25, 2025, follows a Haj Review Meeting held on July 4, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister for Minority Affairs.
Quota Distribution and Provisional Allocation
For Haj 2026, the quota of Indian pilgrims will be distributed in a 70:30 ratio between the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs), respectively. While the Saudi Government has not yet communicated the exact quota for any country, including India, the Ministry is proceeding on the assumption that India’s quota for Haj 2026 will remain the same as Haj 2025. Based on this, a provisional quota of 52,507 has been distributed among the qualified CHGOs selected during Haj 2025. This provisional allocation is intended to facilitate CHGOs/HGOs in initiating arrangements with Service Provider Companies (SPCs) and making necessary payments, with the final quota subject to confirmation from Saudi Arabia, evaluation of submitted documents, and the outcome of the Qurrah process.
Continuity for Haj Group Operators
The Ministry has decided to maintain the status quo of qualified HGOs from Haj 2025 for Haj 2026. These operators will be eligible for the same quota, provided sufficient allocation is received from the Saudi Government. In compliance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s decision in M/s Kolkata Tours and Travels (I) Pvt. Ltd. & Ors vs Union of India, any adjustments to the actual quota will be made on a pro-rata basis to accommodate all HGOs, including those waitlisted from Haj 2025. The Supreme Court’s orders dated March 6 and March 20, 2025, which upheld the HGO Policy for Haj 2025, were taken into account.
Furthermore, the composition of CHGOs formed for Haj 2025 and submitted through MoUs will remain unchanged for Haj 2026. The HGO Policy for 2025, which requires private entities (CHGOs) to have a quota of 2000 or more to be considered eligible, will also remain valid for Haj 2026.
Urgent Directives for Smooth Operations
To ensure a smooth and timely conduct of Haj 2026 and to avoid any cuts in quota, as experienced in Haj 2025 due to delayed payments, all CHGOs/HGOs are strongly advised to make payments and select Zones and Service Provider Companies immediately. The Ministry will also select a panel of Service Provider Companies (SPCs) from which CHGOs can choose, to ensure good service quality for pilgrims.
Lead HGOs are required to submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed with their member HGOs, to the Ministry as per the specified schedule and timeline. This MoU must clearly indicate the category and quota of each member HGO and the overall quota of the group.
Mandatory Document Submissions and Compliance
HGOs are required to submit various documents for Haj 2026 in the form of notarized affidavits or self-declarations, covering critical compliance aspects:
An affidavit affirming that they are not involved in any court cases related to heinous crimes or Haj tour operations, nor have they been blacklisted by the Government of India or Saudi Arabia
An affidavit confirming that they are not undergoing insolvency, liquidation, or bankruptcy proceedings
Self-declaration/affidavit with their complete office address, nearest Police Station details, and a layout plan certified by a Chartered Engineer or architect. The address must match GST registration and HGO portal records
Proof of employees under relevant acts (Shop and Establishment Registration Act/PF Act)
An affidavit accepting the Ministry’s feedback mechanism for service records and data analysis under the Risk Management System to grade HGOs based on service quality
Submission of the Munazzam card, ID proof, and relevant Haj visa pages of the Proprietor/Owner/Director’s passport, along with an affidavit stating the Munazzam’s clean record and that they have not applied under more than one HGO applicant
Additionally, all CHGOs must submit an extended Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) valid up to December 31, 2026, within the stipulated time frame. Failure to adhere to this timeline may result in the transfer of the CHGO/HGO’s quota to other operators or the Haj Committee of India.
The Ministry will implement necessary changes to the HGO Portal to facilitate the timely submission of all required documents.
Final Quota Determination and Annexure III
The overall quota for each HGO and CHGO will be determined according to the formula outlined in the policy. Annexure III provides a list of CHGOs and their constituent HGO members with their provisional quota allocation for Haj 2026.
