14 Private Hajj companies from J&K allotted quota for Hajj 2026

Srinagar, Aug 27: Fourteen private Hajj and Umrah companies from J&K have been allotted quota for the Hajj pilgrimage in 2026, bringing the total private sector allocation in the Union Territory to 664 seats.

The allotment has been made under the Ministry of Minority Affairs’ policy for Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) and Haj Group Organisers (HGOs), issued through Government Order dated August 25, 2025.

Chairman of the J&K Registered Hajj Group Organisers, Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday. “In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, 14 private and Hajj companies have been allotted Hajj quota for the year 2026,” Tibetbaqal said, adding that the list was finalised following the guidelines set by the Ministry.

As per the allotment, Labaika Haj & Umrah Services has emerged as the sole company in Category I, receiving a quota of 97 seats. Nine companies qualified in Category II (Experienced) with allocations ranging between 40 and 46 seats each. Additionally, four new applicants have been approved under Category II, marking their entry into the Hajj facilitation sector.

The experienced operators allotted quota include Al Hayat Hajj and Omrah (46 seats), Universe Travel Corporation (46), Behreen Travels (43), Al Ghazali Tour & Travels (40), Sahar Tours & Travels (44), Alhuda Travels (46), Al Safeer Tour & Travels (46), Fly High Tour & Travels (44), and Gazi Tour & Travels (40).

Among the new applicants, Al Ansar Tours & Travels (43), Alharamain Hajj and Umrah Services (43), Javid Iqbal Al Haram Tours (40), and Madina World Travels Pvt Ltd (46) have been allotted seats.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, through its circular No. HAJ-15/4/2025-HAJ-MoMA(e-147347) dated August 25, 2025, outlined the Hajj 2026 policy following a review meeting held under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Minority Affairs on July 4, 2025. It was decided that the quota of Indian pilgrims would be distributed in a 70:30 ratio between the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI) and CHGOs/HGOs, respectively.

Although the Saudi Government has not yet communicated the exact Hajj 2026 quota for India, the Ministry has provisionally assumed that the quota will remain the same as Hajj 2025. Accordingly, 52,507 seats have been distributed among qualified private operators across the country to ensure timely preparations.

The Ministry also reiterated that the status quo of qualified HGOs from Hajj 2025 would be maintained for Hajj 2026, subject to sufficient quota being allotted by Saudi authorities.

Umar Nazir Tibet Baqal welcomed the Ministry’s timely allocation, saying, “The allotment of quota to 14 private operators from J&K ensures that Hajj aspirants will have more organised and transparent options for the sacred journey in 2026. We hope Saudi authorities will soon announce the final quota so that further arrangements can be streamlined.”