Saudi government has reduced private Hajj pilgrims Quota from 52,507 to 10,000
Yusuf Ansari / New Delhi
A delegation of Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) & CHGO’s combined Haj Group Organisers have sought urgent intervention of the Prime Minister of India following a sudden and distress reduction in India’s private Haj organiser’s quota for 2025 by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- slashing it from 52,507 to just 10,000.
This unexpected development has triggered severe hardship and uncertainty for thousands of Indian haj pilgrims who have already made financial contributions and begun preparations for their sacred journey. We are grateful to the Minority Affairs Minister Shri Kiran Rijiju for quota of 52507 allotted to HGO’s.
According to the bilateral agreement between India and Saudi Arabia, the total Haj quota allotted to India for 2025 is 1,75,025 pilgrims, distributed as follows:
- 70% (1,22,517 pilgrims) allocated to the Haj Committee of India (HCoI)
- 30% (52,507 pilgrims) reserved for Private Haj Group Organisers/HGOs
For the first time, the Saudi government introduced a phased payment system linked to the Nusuk platform, requiring timely completion of these steps:
- Selection of Zone at Mina (Tent City) & Arfath field
- Payment to the Service Provider (Maktab) for services at Meena, Arfath, tent cities
- Payment for housing, transportation and other services at Makha & Madina.
- Issuance of Haj visas and insurances
Due to delays in the activation of the Nusuk Wallet for HGOs, the HCoI intervened and made the zone selection payments on behalf of HGOs during January 2025, charging ₹1,000 per pilgrim for the facility, advance payment facility on each haj pilgrims which are paid within stipulate time
However, a circular issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs haj cell on 6th March 2025 first time stated that the deadline for payment to the service provider had been 14th February 2025 — a deadline All CHGOs(combined Haj group Organiser) already missed due to unresolved wallet activation, technical issues, or other reasons, it is not cleared the from the officials.
On 7th February, Some CHGOs had remitted lakhs of Saudi Riyals along with the zone selection payments of (HCOI) through HCOI channel, as per the Ministry’s circular dated 2nd January 2025. However, the additional funds meant for essential services were not credited to the Nusuk Wallet due to unknown reason, it is the lapses of the concern officers/ department who create the situation preventing subsequent payments for service provider, (housing, and transportation). Which supposed to be transferred to Saudi Authorities through Haj Committee/Indian Consulate at Jeddah.
According to the Ministry’s 6th March 2025 notice, all these payments were indeed routed via HCoI and credited to the Nusuk Wallet in time. However, the Nusuk portal was not reopened for further processing despite repeated follow-ups with the ministry -Portal denying HGOs access to complete the mandated procedures of building / transport agreement etc.
This chain of administrative officials and technical failures shortfalls has led to the drastic and unjust action / cut in the private Haj quota, leaving thousands of pilgrims stranded, despite our government secure the 1.75 plus lakhs seats and all pilgrims being spiritually and financially ready for Haj 2025.
We make a heart full appeal to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to please personally intervene and take up the matter with the Saudi authorities. The goal is to restore the full private quota of 52,507, ensuring justice for the affected pilgrims and preserving the credibility of India’s Haj management system, and bilateral agreement between two great and responsible nations.The spiritual aspirations of thousands of Indian Haj pilgrims depend on a fair and timely resolution of this crisis.
On behalf of all Haj Organisers Associations/Federation of India from various states.
- All India Haj & Umrah Tour Organisers Association Mumbai (AIHUTOA)
- All India Haj Umrah Tour Organisers Association ® Delhi
- Karnataka State Haj Organisrs’ Association (KSHOA)
- Gujarat State Haj Ziyarat Tour Organisers Association (GSHZTOA)
- CHGO Hyderabad Society for Haj Pligrims
- The Federation of Haj PTO’s in India
- Tamilnadu Haj Organisers Association (THOA)
- Indian Haj Group Association Calicut, Kerala (IHUGA)
- Jammu Kashmir Association of Hajj & Umrah Companies (JKAHUC)
- Kolkata Haj Group Organisers Association (KHGOA)
- Uttar Pradsh Haj Umrah Organisers Association