The Government of India (GOI) has introduced a transformative new Haj policy for 2025, marking a significant shift in how Indian Muslims can undertake the annual pilgrimage. This policy, implemented by the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), restricts individuals to performing the Haj pilgrimage only once in their lifetime through the HCoI.

A press release from the GOI Ministry of Minority Affairs Haj division explains that this policy aims to democratize the opportunity to perform Haj, ensuring that a greater number of Indian Muslims can experience this important religious journey at least once. Previously, some individuals were able to participate in Haj multiple times, while others were never able to go. This new policy seeks to address this disparity.

One of the key aspects of the new policy is its strict eligibility criteria. Those who have already performed Haj through the HCoI in the past will no longer be eligible to apply for the pilgrimage in 2025 or in future years. This move is intended to give first-time applicants a fair chance to participate in the sacred journey.

However, there are specific exceptions to this rule. Individuals applying under the Mehram (male guardian) category to accompany a female pilgrim or those serving as companions for pilgrims aged 70 years or above are still eligible. Additionally, women aged 45 or above, whose school of thought (Maslak) permits, can travel without a male Mehram, provided they form a group of four or more.

Other essential aspects of the Haj 2025 policy include:

• Pilgrims must possess a machine-readable Indian International Passport valid until at least January 31, 2026.
• Applicants providing false information will face disqualification and removal from the pilgrimage.
• Individuals with severe medical conditions, advanced pregnancies, or those involved in ongoing court cases are excluded from eligibility.

Significantly, the entire Haj application process for the upcoming year will be conducted online through the HCoI website. This move to a digital application process aims to streamline and simplify the application procedure, making it more accessible and efficient.

Prospective pilgrims are strongly advised to thoroughly review the Haj 2025 guidelines before applying to ensure they meet all the specified eligibility criteria. This proactive approach will help applicants avoid potential disqualifications and ensure a smoother preparation process for their pilgrimage.

In conclusion, the new Haj policy for 2025 reflects the GOI’s commitment to creating a more equitable system for Indian Muslims wishing to perform the Haj pilgrimage. By limiting the journey to once per lifetime through the HCoI, the policy aims to provide a fairer distribution of opportunities, allowing a broader spectrum of the Muslim community in India to fulfill this vital religious obligation.

For the 2025 Haj season, India’s quota will be split between the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and private Haj Group Organisers. The HCoI will manage 70% of the total quota, while private organisers will handle the remaining 30%. This is a shift from 2024, when the HCoI had 80% of the quota and private organisers 20%