Updated: April 14, 2025 | By Humayun Kabir
Bad news for Indians planning to perform Hajj through private tour operators. Hajj Quota 2025 Cancelled by Saudi Arabia.
Hajj Quota 2025 Cancelled: Saudi Arabia reduces India’s private Hajj quota by 80%.
New Delhi: Over 52,000 Indians who planned their Hajj 2025 pilgrimage through private tour operators may face disappointment. According to a new circular from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, only 20% of the previously booked private Hajj quota will be confirmed initially. That means nearly 80% of those registered under the Combined Haj Group Organisers (CHGOs) might not be able to perform Hajj this year.
This decision follows the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s move to shut down access to the Nusuk portal—a platform essential for finalising contracts and services for pilgrims. Due to delays in payments and incomplete service agreements, Saudi authorities cancelled Mina Zones 1 and 2 (earmarked for CHGOs) and froze the remaining zones (3, 4, and 5), worsening the situation further.
Government Blames Tour Operators
The Indian Ministry has held private operators responsible, stating that each CHGO was supposed to complete the required contracts on the Nusuk portal, but many failed to do so. As a result, Saudi authorities revoked their access and froze the zones allocated for Indian private pilgrims.
Also Read : Hajj Preparation : Essential Checklist for Hajj 2025 – What to Pack and How to Prepare For Hajj 2025
What Tour Operators Say
One tour operator, who spoke anonymously to Vartha Bharati, blamed the government. He claimed that last year, Saudi Arabia introduced a new rule requiring payments to be routed through the Indian government. While most operators submitted their payments on time, delays occurred on the government’s end, causing the Saudi payment channels to close. Before 2024, operators used to pay Saudi authorities directly.
“The government’s delay affected everyone—even those who paid on time,” the operator said.
Temporary Relief: Nusuk Portal Reopened Briefly
In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Minority Affairs escalated the issue to the top Saudi authorities. The Saudi side has now agreed to temporarily reopen the Nusuk portal for a limited time. This gives CHGOs a brief window to upload contracts and finalize arrangements like accommodation, transportation, and logistics.
New Hajj Allocation Policy
As per the latest instructions:
- Only 20% of each CHGO’s booked quota will be confirmed initially.
- The remaining capacity will be distributed equally among all CHGOs.
- Any leftover slots will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
All processes will be coordinated through the help desk at CGI Jeddah. CHGOs have been urged to act quickly, as the portal may close without notice.
Hajj Group Organiser (HGO)
Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs), formerly known as Private Tour Operators (PTOs), are authorized entities in India responsible for facilitating the Hajj pilgrimage for Indian Muslims. Operating under the guidelines set by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, HGOs handle various logistical aspects of the pilgrimage, including travel arrangements, accommodations, and other essential services. For Hajj 2025, the Government of India allocated a quota of 52,507 pilgrims to HGOs, which constitutes 30% of India’s total Hajj quota of 175,025, as determined by Saudi Arabia.
To ensure quality and compliance, the Ministry has implemented a comprehensive application process for HGOs, emphasizing experience and capability. Only entities capable of catering to a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims are considered, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s guidelines. Additionally, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that HGOs and private tour operators are liable to pay service tax on the services they provide to Hajj pilgrims, distinguishing them from the statutory Hajj Committees, which are exempt from such taxes.
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Topics Covered: Hajj Yatra | CHGOs | Saudi Arabia | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Mina Zones | Muslim Pilgrims | Nusuk Portal
