Hajj pilgrimage: 8,530 from Kerala gets chance

Malappuram: Kerala has been allotted 8,530 seats for this year's Hajj pilgrimage, according to the Central Hajj Committee. The allocation was made as part of the nationwide draw held in Mumbai on Wednesday, based on an estimated 1 lakh seats for India. However, Saudi Arabia has not yet officially announced the Hajj quota. 

Under the Hajj policy, all applicants in the priority category —those aged 65 years or above—have been selected. In the second priority category, which includes women-only groups aged 45 to 65 years, 3,620 applied, and all but 58 were selected through the draw. The remaining applicants have been placed on a waiting list, with their order also determined by the draw.

Applicants in the "Without Mahram" (male guardian) category who are on the waiting list will be given first preference. Next will be "General B– Backlog" applicants (those who missed out in 2025), followed by the general category. Those currently on the 2025 waiting list have not been considered in this round.

Details of the draw can be accessed on the Hajj Committee's website using the cover numbers issued to applicants. Additional instructions for selected candidates will also be available online.

Those selected must pay the first instalment of ₹1,52,300 by August 20. Payments can be made at the State Bank of India or the Union Bank of India using the payment slip bearing the specific bank reference number for each cover, or online. The payment receipt, along with the medical screening and fitness certificate and other required documents, must be submitted to the State Hajj Committee within the stipulated period.

Failure to pay within the deadline will result in cancellation without further notice, and the seats will be reallocated to waiting list applicants in the order of priority. The State Hajj Committee’s official trainers will be available in all 14 districts to assist selected candidates.
Phone: 0483-2710717, 2717572, 8281211786.