OUT of the total Haj pilgrims quota allocated toIndia, 70per cent would be handled by the Haj Committee of India while the remaining 30 per cent will be allocated to private Haj Group Organisers, according to theGovernment’sHajPolicy for 2025. In 2024, the Haj Committee ofIndia (HCoI) was allotted 80 per cent while the private Haj Group Organisers got 20 per cent of the quota.

 

While the order of priority was 70 plus applicants, ladies travelling without mehrams (LWM) and the general category in 2024, the new Haj policyhasprioritised65plusapplicants followed by ladies withoutmehramsand then thegeneral category. “It is decided that considering the arduous nature of the Haj pilgrimage,acompanion is a must for pilgrims aged 65 or above and no pilgrim aged 65 or above will be registered as a lone member under reservedcategory,” thenewHaj policy lays down. Inthe2024policy,whichwas a continuation of the 2023 policy, a companion was a must for 70 plus age pilgrims.

 

Thenewpolicystates thatpilgrimsof65yearsandabovewill be registered under Reserved Category. “One companion is a must for pilgrims aged 65 or above andnopilgrimaged65orabove will be registered alone under reserved category. In case of LWMpilgrimsaged65orabove, a female companion of the age 45-60 is a must,” the policy states.“Fornon-LWMpilgrims of the age of 65 or above, one companion is allowed who should be immediate relative namely Husband/Wife/Brother/Sister/ S o n/Daughter/Son-inlaw/Daughter-in- law, Grandson/Grand Daughter and Nephew/Niece. No other relationwillbe allowed to travel as companion,” the policy states