Kiren Rijiju Reviews Haj 2026 Arrangements, Charts Roadmap for Haj 2027

NEW DELHI, 18 JUNE2026: Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju chaired a high-level Haj Review Meeting at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) in New Delhi on Thursday to assess the conduct of Haj 2026 and outline preparations for Haj 2027.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Srivatsa Krishna, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs; Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs; senior officials from the Ministries of Civil Aviation, Health & Family Welfare, Home Affairs, and representatives of the Haj Committee of India, BISAG-N and other stakeholders.

Reviewing Haj 2026, Rijiju expressed satisfaction over the successful management of the pilgrimage, during which nearly 1.75 lakh Indian pilgrims performed Haj. He credited the achievement to the coordinated efforts of various ministries, the Haj Committee of India, State Haj Committees, the Indian Haj Mission in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi authorities.

A major highlight of Haj 2026 was the recognition received by the Indian Haj Mission from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. For the first time, India was awarded two prestigious Labbaytum Awards under the category of “Best Haj Coordination and Communication”, acknowledging the efficient facilitation and welfare measures provided to Indian pilgrims.

Several pilgrim-friendly initiatives were introduced during Haj 2026. These included sofa-cum-beds in Mina camps, significantly improving comfort during the pilgrimage, and the use of Saudi Arabia’s high-speed railway network, which enabled around 62,500 pilgrims to travel between Makkah and Madinah in a shorter time. The government also introduced hotel-style accommodation in Makkah and a 20-day Short Haj Package, which benefited approximately 10,500 pilgrims, especially working professionals.

Technology played a crucial role in enhancing the pilgrimage experience. Reforms included integration with Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform, online flight booking facilities and an improved digital grievance redressal system. Additionally, all Indian pilgrims in Madinah were accommodated within the Markazia area, ensuring greater convenience and accessibility.

Despite regional geopolitical challenges, Haj operations were successfully conducted through around 400 flights, supported by extensive transportation networks, medical facilities and round-the-clock assistance from the Indian Haj Mission. Dedicated medical and administrative teams were deployed, including specialized medical support at Mina camps.

The meeting also discussed the future role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Haj management. Proposed initiatives include a 24×7 multilingual voice-based support system, AI-assisted document verification, demand forecasting for flight allocation and real-time grievance monitoring. These measures are expected to strengthen service delivery and transparency.

Looking ahead, Rijiju directed all concerned agencies to begin preparations for Haj 2027 immediately. He emphasized the importance of timely coordination with Saudi authorities regarding quota allocation, accommodation, transportation, medical preparedness and technology integration. He also announced that Haj Policy 2027 will be released soon, enabling an early start to the application process.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the minister said every effort would be made to ensure a safe, comfortable, transparent and dignified pilgrimage experience for Indian Haj pilgrims in the years ahead.