The Haj Committee deliberated on measures to further streamline and enhance the experience of Indian Haj pilgrims for Haj-2026 during the meeting held in Mumbai. Addressing the gathering, Secretary of Ministry of Minority Affairs on Saturday, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar instructed the Haj Committee to immediately refund 75 percent of all pending dues to Haj pilgrims, with the remaining 25 percent to be processed after verification. Dr Kumar also directed the committee to ensure that all Haj-related operations become fully digital, portal-based, and AI-integrated while eliminating the need for manual processes. The Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India reaffirm their commitment to ensuring a safe, well-organised, and pilgrim-centric Haj journey for all Indian citizens. The conference opened with a two-minute silence observed in memory of the pilgrims who lost their lives in the tragic bus accident in Medina on 17 November.