Haj Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia is a Puducherry state scheme run by the Department of Hindu Religious Institutions & Wakf. It helps Muslim residents of Puducherry perform the Haj pilgrimage by providing an airfare subsidy of ₹24,000 for each pilgrim along with free medical facility while in Mecca. Applications are routed through the Puducherry Haj Committee, and the scheme remains open for eligible residents for the coming Haj season.
For Haj 2026, the Haj Committee of India opened the online application process through the official portal hajcommittee.gov.in and the Haj Suvidha mobile app. Pilgrims had to pay an advance Haj amount of ₹1,52,300 which included the non-refundable processing fee of ₹300 and miscellaneous dues of ₹2,000. A rise in aviation turbine fuel prices added about ₹10,000 extra to the airfare for the 2026 season. The scheme continues to support Puducherry pilgrims by covering part of the travel cost every year.
Haj Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia - Key Details
The Puducherry Haj Committee is constituted by the Government of Puducherry under the Haj Committee Act, 2002. It works under the administrative control of the Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Wakf and makes all arrangements for Muslim residents of Puducherry to perform the Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The state top-up subsidy lowers the burden of the costly journey for eligible families.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Haj Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Puducherry |
| Category | Travel and Tourism |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| Nodal Department | Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Wakf, Puducherry |
| Application Mode | Online via Haj Committee portal and Haj Suvidha app |
| Official Website | hajcommittee.gov.in |
Benefits
This state scheme gives direct financial support to manage the travel and stay during the pilgrimage. The main benefit component is the airfare subsidy of ₹24,000 given to each accepted pilgrim. Accepted pilgrims also get free medical services once they reach Mecca.
| Benefit Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Airfare Subsidy | ₹24,000 |
| Advance Foreign Exchange | ₹10,700 |
| Food and Accommodation (Mecca) | ₹61,000 |
| Airfare (Haj Committee of India) | ₹12,000 |
Apart from the state subsidy, pilgrims have to pay the Haj amount fixed by the Haj Committee of India. For Haj 2026 the provisional advance was ₹1,52,300 and the balance was paid in instalments as per the HCoI timeline. The final cost changes slightly every year based on airfare bidding and service contracts in Saudi Arabia.
Eligibility
To qualify for the pilgrimage support, a resident of Puducherry should meet the following conditions:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen holding a valid machine readable passport that remains valid till the end of the Haj season.
- The applicant should be a Muslim in sound physical and mental health and able to bear the cost of the pilgrimage.
- As per the once in a lifetime policy of the Haj Committee of India, a person cannot apply if Haj was already performed through HCoI, unless applying as a Mehram or companion.
- The applicant must not have performed the Haj pilgrimage through the Haj Committee in the last five years under the state scheme criteria.
Application Process
Pilgrims from Puducherry apply online through the official Haj Committee of India portal and the Haj Suvidha mobile app, available for both Android and iOS. The application process is now fully digital and no handwritten form is accepted.
STEP 1 - Go to the official Haj Committee of India website at hajcommittee.gov.in or install the Haj Suvidha app on your phone. Register and open the Haj Application Form (HAF) for the current Haj season.
STEP 2 - Fill in the details like passport number, address proof, mobile number and bank account of the cover head. Upload the first and last page of the machine readable passport, a latest passport size photograph with white background, a cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy, and valid address proof.
STEP 3 - Submit the online form and note the computer generated cover number received through SMS. The Puducherry Haj Committee will scrutinise the details before confirmation.
STEP 4 - After selection through the draw of lots (Qurrah), deposit the advance Haj amount of ₹1,52,300 online or in State Bank of India / Union Bank of India using the bank reference number. Submit the medical screening and fitness certificate along with the solemn declaration to the Puducherry Haj Committee within one week of the Qurrah.
For the state subsidy, selected pilgrims contact the Puducherry Haj Committee. The office is located at No. 1, Yanam Venkatachalapillai Street, Puducherry - 605 001, and can be reached on phone at 0413-2343268. Ensure all payments are made at the correct stage to keep the seat confirmed.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready when applying for the pilgrimage:
- Valid machine readable Indian international passport with at least two blank pages.
- Valid proof of residence such as Aadhaar card, bank passbook or electricity bill.
- Medical screening and fitness certificate from an authorised allopathic doctor.
- Signed solemn declaration and undertaking in the format given by the Haj Committee.
- Certificate from the Secretary of the Puducherry Haj Committee for the state subsidy.
References
View Official Haj 2026 Guidelines PDF
Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Wakf, Puducherry
FAQ's
How much subsidy is provided for airfare?
Accepted pilgrims from Puducherry receive an airfare subsidy of ₹24,000 from the state scheme.
How do I apply for Haj 2026?
Applications for Haj 2026 were submitted online at hajcommittee.gov.in or through the Haj Suvidha mobile app. The same online process is used for each Haj season.
What is the advance Haj amount for 2026?
The provisionally selected pilgrim had to pay ₹1,52,300 as the advance, which included ₹1,50,000 advance Haj amount, ₹2,000 miscellaneous dues and ₹300 non-refundable processing fee.
Why did pilgrims pay more airfare in 2026?
A rise in aviation turbine fuel prices following the West Asia crisis added about ₹10,000 extra to the airfare for the 2026 season.
Can I apply if I went on a pilgrimage recently?
Under the once in a lifetime policy of the Haj Committee of India, you cannot apply if Haj was already performed through HCoI, except as a Mehram or companion.
What documents are required for the application?
You need a valid machine readable passport, passport size photograph with white background, proof of residence, bank account details of the cover head, and a medical screening and fitness certificate.
Are medical services free?
Yes, free medical facilities are available for pilgrims once they reach Mecca under the state scheme.
Who handles queries about the state subsidy?
You should contact the Puducherry Haj Committee at No. 1, Yanam Venkatachalapillai Street, Puducherry - 605 001, phone 0413-2343268.
Is a medical certificate required?
Yes, every applicant must obtain a medical screening and fitness certificate from a government allopathic doctor on the reverse of the Haj application.
What is the once in a lifetime rule?
As per the policy, a person can perform Haj through the Haj Committee of India only once in a lifetime, so repeaters are not eligible for a fresh application.