Hajj applications from Jammu and Kashmir have dropped to a historic low in 2025, pointing to growing economic pressure on families.
Only 4,100 people from the region applied this year—a drop of over forty-eight per cent compared to 2024, when 8,147 people applied. The fall in numbers has been steady over the years. In 2017, there were more than 35,000 applications, in 2019, the number stood at 21,500, and in 2023, around 12,000 pilgrims went for Hajj.
Of the 4,100 applicants this year, 3,622 were selected for the pilgrimage, including 21 women under the Mahram quota (a woman travelling with a male relative that she cannot marry). However, more than 700 people withdrew their names after applying, possibly due to financial concerns.
A major reason for people backing out is the high cost of travel. Embarking on a Hajj from Srinagar costs around Rs. 4.2 lakhs, while it costs Rs. 3.6 lakhs from Delhi. The airfare alone is Rs. 1.7 lakhs from Srinagar, compared to Rs. 1.1 lakhs from Delhi. Although pilgrims are allowed to choose their departure points to cut costs, many still find it difficult to afford.
The drop in applications is seen across almost all districts. In Srinagar, the number fell from 2,607 in 2024 to just over 930 in 2025, a fall of 64 per cent. Budgam saw a decline of 62 per cent, Baramulla dropped by 44 per cent, and both the Anantnag and Bandipora districts saw a fall of over 50 per cent. Only the Doda district in the Jammu region showed a small rise of more than 9 per cent.
India’s total Hajj quota for 2025 is 1,75,025, with seventy per cent (1,22,550) allocated to the Haj Committee of India. Jammu and Kashmir’s share is around 4.89 per cent (with 2,000 additional seats), making a total of approximately 7,981.
Fourteen private Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) in J&K were allotted 750 seats. The first flights for Hajj from Jammu and Kashmir are expected to begin in the last week of April.
Adding to the stress, Saudi Arabia has slashed India’s private Hajj quota by eighty per cent, affecting over 52,000 people across the country. Many of these people had already made payments, raising concerns about refunds.
According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, CHGOs failed to meet the timelines set by Saudi authorities. They did not finalise key contracts—such as accommodation, transport, and Mina camp contracts—which are essential for the safety and well-being of pilgrims. Due to these delays, the available space in Mina, where key rituals take place, was filled up.
The Saudi Haj Ministry stressed that no country would be given an extension this year due to time and space limitations. However, after the Indian government stepped in, Saudi authorities agreed to reopen the Nusuk Portal to allow arrangements for 10,000 pilgrims, subject to availability of the remaining space in Mina.
