SRINAGAR: The deadline for Hajj 2026 applications has been extended from July 31 to August 7, 2025. The Haj Committee of India has extended the last date for online submission of Haj Application Forms (HAF) for Haj 2026 to 11:59 PM on August 7, 2025, citing numerous requests from various State and Union Territory Haj Committees, particularly from under-quota states and applicants awaiting passports currently under issuance.
Dr Shujaat Qureshi, Executive Officer of the State Hajj Committee, briefed on the current status, the changes introduced this year, and what prospective pilgrims need to know.
Applications and Quota
The application process for Hajj 2026 began on July 7. The deadline, initially July 31, has now been extended to August 7. “As of now, we have received about 4,300 applications. The total quota allocated to Jammu and Kashmir stands at 7,900; 5,900 based on population and 2,000 as a special measure. That leaves a shortfall of about 3,600 applications,” said Shujaat Qureshi.
Talking about the numbers, he added that last year, 4,200 applications were received from Jammu and Kashmir. This year has seen a marginal increase, with three more days to go.
Fee Structure and Cancellation Charges
The cost of Hajj is finalised in three instalments. The first instalment is Rs 1,52,300. The deadline for this payment is around August 20. The second instalment is expected two months after, and the third once all tenders are finalised.
Cancellation charges vary depending on the time of withdrawal. If cancelled before the end of the next month, the charge is Rs 5,000. Cancellations in January will result in complete forfeiture of the amount paid.
Passport Requirements
The pilgrimage is scheduled for late May 2026, with return expected by June. The pilgrim’s passport must be valid till at least till December 31, 2026. The passport must be issued before the last date of form submission that is now August 7, 2025.
Shorter Duration: 20 Days
Traditionally, Hajj has lasted between 40 to 45 days. The central Hajj period lasts six days, but with travel, waiting, and visit to Madinah, the entire journey takes over a month. This year, a short-duration Hajj option capped at 20 days has been introduced. Ten thousand such seats have been announced nationwide.
“As of now, 15,000 have applied for these shorter-duration slots. Only 10,000 will be selected. From Jammu and Kashmir, 160 applications have been received. If allocation is based on population, Jammu and Kashmir could get around 490 seats. If not, the competition will be pan-India,” he said.
He further clarified about the cost of the journey, “There is no difference in airfare or accommodation cost. Only the number of days in Madinah and the total stay are reduced. Hence, the price may not vary much from the standard package,” he said.
Age and Mehram Criteria
Children below 12 years are not permitted to perform Hajj. There is no upper age limit, but those above 65 must be accompanied by someone below 60. Exceptions apply if the companion is a close family member spouse, child, or sibling and their age can be upto 65.
In cases where both parents are above 65, a younger companion must accompany them. If such a companion is a sibling of either parent or a child of the couple, the maximum permissible age rises to 65.
Mehram Quota
There are 500 seats under the Mehram category. If the male Mehram is selected but the female has not applied, her name can be added later. The reverse is also true. A separate notification will be issued for these additions.
Will the Deadline Be Extended Again?
Across India, 1,60,000 applications have been received for a quota of 1,22,000. States like Bihar, UP, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir continue to see under-application. In contrast, southern and coastal states have oversubscribed.
Given the overall numbers, officials indicate that a further extension of the deadline is unlikely. Those wishing to apply are advised not to wait beyond August 7.
This year, major changes include the introduction of a short-duration option and strict guidelines on passport validity. Cancellation charges and age-related rules have also been clearly outlined.
Dr. Shujaat clarified most of the confusion around eligibility, process, and policy changes. He underlined that planning, documentation, and timely payment remain the responsibilities of the applicants.
The window remains open for three more days. Given the underutilised quota in Jammu and Kashmir, the next few days could prove decisive for those still considering the pilgrimage. -(KL)
