The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) convened a day-long national conference to enhance preparedness for Haj-2026 with a focus on full digital transformation, financial transparency, and improved pilgrim services. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), opened with a two-minute silence in memory of pilgrims who died in a Medina bus accident on November 17. Secretary Kumar directed the HCoI to ensure all Haj operations are fully digital, portal-based, and AI-integrated, with efficient and transparent service delivery as the priority. Dr. CS Kumar instructed the HCoI to refund 75% of all pending dues to Haj pilgrims immediately, with the remaining 25% processed after verification and audit, and advised engaging a professional Financial Management Services (FMS) company for accounting processes and 24×7 self-assisted financial transaction support. CEO, HCoI, Shanavas C, assured the Ministry that the Committee would take all necessary measures to make the Haj Yatra smoother, more efficient, and more pilgrim-friendly. Joint Secretary Ram Singh who recently visited KSA gave his inputs for ease of doing Haj Yatra. Concerns raised by representatives from State and Union Territory Haj Committees included long travel distances to embarkation points and accessibility challenges. The HCoI assured that these issues would be addressed in consultation with the Ministry and relevant stakeholders. The release was posted on 22 NOV 2025 at 3:59 PM by PIB Delhi. Release ID: 2192868. Visitor Counter: 2832.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA): Primary ministry responsible for facilitating and overseeing the Haj pilgrimage, and a key participant in the conference.
Haj Committee of India (HCoI): The organization that convened the conference to improve the experience of Indian Haj pilgrims for the Haj-2026 pilgrimage.
Haj Yatra: The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the focus of the conference's efforts to improve efficiency and accessibility.
Medina: The location of a bus accident that claimed the lives of pilgrims, which was remembered during the conference.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Haj Committee of India Holds Day-Long
Conference to Enhance Preparedness for Haj
2026
Focus on Full Digital Transformation, Financial
Transparency, and Improved Pilgrim Services
Posted On: 22 NOV 2025 3:59PM by PIB Delhi
The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) today convened a day-long national conference to deliberate on
measures to further streamline and enhance the experience of Indian Haj pilgrims for Haj-2026. The
meeting was chaired by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs
(MoMA).
The conference opened with a two-minute silence observed in memory of the pilgrims who lost their
lives in the tragic bus accident in Medina on 17 November.
In his address, Secretary Dr. Kumar directed the HCoI to ensure that all Haj-related operations
become fully digital, portal-based, and AI-integrated, eliminating the need for manual processes. He
emphasised that in the era of advanced technology, efficient and transparent service delivery must be
the priority.Dr. Kumar underscored the need for robust digital systems to assist pilgrims from the application
stage to post-Haj services, ensuring seamless access to information, support, and financial
transactions.
Further, Dr. CS Kumar instructed the HCoI to immediately refund 75% of all pending dues to Haj
pilgrims, with the remaining 25% to be processed after verification, due diligence, and audit.He
advised the Committee to engage a professional Financial Management Services (FMS) company to
handle accounting processes and to provide pilgrims with 24×7 self-assisted financial transaction
support, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.CEO, HCoI, Shanavas C, assured the Ministry that the Committee would take all necessary measures
to make the Haj Yatra smoother, more efficient, and more pilgrim-friendly than in previous years.Joint
Secretary Ram Singh who recently visited KSA gave his inputs for ease of doing Haj Yatra.
Representatives from various State and Union Territory Haj Committees shared on-ground insights
and raised several issues faced by pilgrims in recent years.
Key concerns included:
-Long travel distances to embarkation points
-Accessibility challenges for elderly and specially-abled pilgrims
The HCoI assured that these issues would be addressed in consultation with the Ministry and relevant
stakeholders, ensuring better facilities, improved logistical arrangements, and enhanced support
systems for Haj-2026.Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India reaffirm their
commitment to ensuring a safe, well-organised, and pilgrim-centric Haj journey for all Indian
citizens.***
AK/MR
(Release ID: 2192868) Visitor Counter : 2832
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