New Delhi, April 17 -- The Haj pilgrimage from India for the year 2026 is set to begin on April 18, with the first batch of pilgrims scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia from multiple embarkation points across the country.

A total of 1,75,025 pilgrims are expected to undertake the sacred journey this year.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has extended his best wishes to all pilgrims and reiterated the Government's commitment to ensuring a smooth, safe, and comfortable Haj experience.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, which functions as the nodal ministry for Haj operations, has stated that several new measures have been introduced this year to further improve services and overall facilitation for pilgrims.

In coordinati...