The Haj Committee of India has selected 120,917 applicants for the 2027 pilgrimage through its Qurrah, the random digital draw of lots used to allocate places when demand exceeds the country's quota. The draw was conducted on July 30, 2026, at the Haj Committee headquarters in Mumbai, with a further 77,952 applicants placed on a waiting list.
According to the committee, the selected pilgrims come from 32 states and union territories, while the waiting list draws from 10 states. The entire process was carried out online through a random digital selection system, continuing India's shift toward a fully computerised allocation.
How the Qurrah works
The Qurrah is a balloting system. When the number of valid applications is higher than the seats Saudi Arabia allocates to India, the committee uses a random draw to decide who is selected and who is placed in reserve. This year the draw began at 11:00 AM in the committee room at Hajj House in Mumbai and was conducted digitally rather than by manual lots.
Applicants can check their status on the official website, hajcommittee.gov.in, by entering their Cover Number, the unique reference tied to each application. Those on the waiting list are not rejected. They may be moved up if selected pilgrims withdraw or if additional seats become available, which is why the committee maintains a sizeable reserve pool.
What selected pilgrims should do next
Selection is the first stage, not the last. Pilgrims who have been chosen should move quickly on several fronts. According to standard Haj Committee guidance, selected applicants are required to complete advance payments within the announced window, submit their passports for processing, and arrange the mandatory vaccinations set by Saudi and Indian health authorities.
Health preparation is a priority. Selected pilgrims are required to take the vaccinations mandated for Hajj, which include the meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine, and to obtain a medical fitness certificate confirming they are able to undertake the physical demands of the pilgrimage. Starting these steps early avoids the bottlenecks that tend to appear as deadlines approach.
A large reserve pool
The scale of the waiting list, at 77,952 people, underlines how far demand outstrips supply. With 120,917 confirmed and nearly 78,000 in reserve, close to 200,000 Indians applied for the 2027 season. The reserve list matters because withdrawals are common; pilgrims may drop out for medical, financial or personal reasons, and their places are then offered to those waiting.
The committee has encouraged waitlisted applicants to keep their documents and payments ready so they can respond quickly if a place opens. Those who are not called this year typically need to reapply in future cycles, though rules can vary season to season.
Practical tips for Indian pilgrims
For selected pilgrims, a short checklist helps. Verify your selection status online using your Cover Number and keep a printout. Confirm that your passport details match your application exactly, and ensure the passport has sufficient remaining validity. Begin the vaccination process early, particularly the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which must be administered within the required window before travel. Complete advance payments within the deadline to avoid forfeiting your seat.
Waitlisted applicants should not assume they are out. Keeping funds and documents ready, and monitoring the official website for updates, gives the best chance of being accommodated if a vacancy arises. In all cases, pilgrims are advised to rely only on the Haj Committee of India's official website and communications rather than unofficial agents, to avoid fraud and misinformation.
With the draw complete, attention now turns to payments, passports and preparations. For the tens of thousands selected, the road to Makkah in 2027 has formally begun.