**Summary:**
In response to concerns raised regarding a reduction in India's private Haj quota, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, engaged in discussions with Saudi authorities. These efforts led to the restoration of India's private Haj quota to 10,000 pilgrims for Haj 2025. The government discontinued the Haj subsidy in 2018. For Haj 2025, the government sanctioned ₹102.81 Cr. The funds were allocated towards operational expenses, including salaries for personnel managing the Haj, and medical facilities for pilgrims in Mecca and Medina. Data on quota allocations and the number of pilgrims who proceeded for Haj over the past 20 years (2005-2025) is provided in the annexure.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for minority affairs.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where the unstarred question was raised.
Haj: An annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a central focus of the policy document.
Saudi Authorities: The government of Saudi Arabia, responsible for managing the Hajj pilgrimage and related quotas.
Mecca: A city in Saudi Arabia, the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Madina: A city in Saudi Arabia, significant in Islam and a destination for pilgrims.
Kiren Rijiju: The Minister of Minority Affairs who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry involved in discussions with Saudi Authorities regarding the Haj quota.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 511
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
INDIA’S PRIVATE HAJ QUOTA
511. SMT. D K ARUNA:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether States have pointed out that the sudden cut in India’s private Haj quota had caused
distress to thousands of pilgrims and urged to engage with the Saudi authorities and seek an
expeditious resolution to solve this issue to increase the quota along with subsidy given under
Haj quota since inception of the Scheme, if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(b) the details of Haj pilgrims this year and list of beneficiaries completing their pilgrimage to
Mecca and Madina and quota sanctioned this year compared to last twenty-two years along with
the details of subsidy given to each person for eligible first-time Haj pilgrims; and
(c) the details of funds sanctioned, spent on each pilgrim, demands of each State received and
action taken, future action plan worked out, State-wise and the manner in which the Government
could help address these issues to achieve themes and goals of Viksit Rajya-Viksit Bharat-2047
as part of it?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a):The Ministry of Minority Affairs along with the Ministry of External Affairs held several
rounds of discussion with the Saudi Authorities regarding the complete restoration of India’s
Private Haj Quota, which was reduced for Haj 2025. Further, a meeting of Minister of Minority
Affairs, Govt. of India with the Minister of Hajj & Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was held
in this context. The Saudi Authorities thereafter agreed and restored India’s Private Quota of
10,000 pilgrims for Haj 2025.
(b) & (c): The details of quota sanctioned and pilgrims proceeded for Haj during last 20 years is
enclosed at Annexure. Further, the Government has discontinued the pilgrim subsidy for Haj
from the year 2018. The Government has sanctioned Rs. 102.81 Cr. for conducting Haj 2025,
which was mainly spent for paying salaries to deputationist for managing Haj, providing
medical facilities to pilgrims at Makkah and Madinah, etc.
*****ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) & (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 511 FOR 23.07.2025 REGARDING “INDIA’S PRIVATE HAJ QUOTA”.
Annexure
Details of quota sanctioned and Pilgrims proceeded for Haj
HAJ Quota Sanctioned Pilgrims Proceeded
YEAR TOTAL TOTAL
2005 82000 80772
2006 – I 100000 99660
2006 – II 110000 108816
2007 110000 110415
2008 123211 121787
2009 120500 120127
2010 125850 126018
2011 125000 124901
2012 125110 125064
2013 121420 121338
2014 100020 99914
2015 100020 99868
2016 100020 99902
2017 125025 124852
2018 128702 128690
2019 140000 139987
2020 125025
Haj cancelled due to COVID
2021 –
2022 56637 56634
2023 139720 139429
2024 140020 139964
2025 122518 122422
*****