At 65, Haj deaths drop to record low this year: Minister

The government on Friday said the 2025 Haj pilgrimage saw the lowest number of fatalities on record, with deaths dropping to 64 compared to 200 the previous year. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju credited the decline to improved health policies for pilgrims and said preparations for Haj 2026 would begin early to ensure an even smoother experience.

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The Centre is expecting around 1.2 lakh pilgrims for next year’s Haj, similar to this year’s figures. Rijiju shared these details after reviewing the outcomes of Haj 2025 and announced that applications for the 2026 pilgrimage would open within a month.

“All applicants must submit their forms on time, adhering to the timelines and strict conditions set by the Saudi Arabian government,” Rijiju said. He said the Haj Committee of India would ensure timely deposits with the Saudi authorities.