Why Did Saudi Arabia Cut India’s Private Hajj Quota by 80%?

Hajj is likely to be held between June 4 and June 9 this year, depending on the sighting of the moon that marks the beginning of Zil-Hajj, the final month of the Islamic calendar.

Every year, thousands of Muslims from across India prepare for this deeply spiritual journey—a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, the holiest cities in Islam. The sacred journey concludes with the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha, a festival of faith, sacrifice, and unity.

But this year, a major setback has struck Indian pilgrims—especially those planning their journey through private operators.

Saudi Arabia Cuts Private Hajj Quota for Indians by 80%

In a sudden move, saudi hajj visa has slashed India’s private hajj visa quota by a staggering 80%, a decision that has triggered widespread distress among pilgrims and private tour operators nationwide.

Over 52,000 Indian pilgrims, many of whom had already paid for their trip, are now facing uncertainty. The sharp cut in quota has left them stranded, disappointed, and helpless.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed her concern on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the emotional and financial turmoil caused by this abrupt decision. Similarly, the office of ex-CM Omar Abdullah issued a statement calling the reported cancellations “deeply concerning” and urged the Indian government to act quickly.

Amid the crisis, the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) announced that Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow 10,000 Indian pilgrims under the private Hajj quota. However, this is just a fraction of the original number.

MoMA confirmed that all arrangements—flights, accommodations, Mina camps, transport, and other logistics—were already finalized as per Saudi guidelines. The sudden change has thrown these preparations into chaos for many private tour operators.

Tighter Rules & Visa Suspensions

Saudi Arabia has also tightened visa hajj 2025 regulations this year, suspending certain visa types for citizens of 14 countries, including India. The move is aimed at controlling crowd sizes and preventing unauthorized or unregistered pilgrims from entering the holy sites.