India is strengthening its Hajj preparations this year with a stronger digital focus, introducing new technology aimed at making the pilgrimage safer and easier for Indian pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia.
The first Hajj flight for the 2026 season is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia on April 18 from Mumbai, marking the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage movement from India. A total of 175,000 Indian pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj this year, making India one of the largest contributors to the annual pilgrimage.
A major highlight this season is the expanded use of the Hajj Suvidha app, India’s digital support platform designed to improve the spiritual journey for pilgrims. Similar in concept to Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk platform, the app helps pilgrims with real-time location tracking, navigation in holy sites, emergency SOS support, and live flight updates. It is also connected to smartwatches provided as part of the Hajj package, allowing easier crowd tracking and helping authorities quickly locate missing pilgrims in busy pilgrimage areas.
Indian officials say the app also includes a health monitoring feature that tracks walking steps during Hajj rituals, helping assess pilgrims’ physical activity and well-being. The smartwatch system will be supported with 1 GB of Saudi mobile data, ensuring connectivity throughout the pilgrimage.
Speaking in Jeddah during a press briefing, Indian officials said the new digital system is designed to work smoothly with Saudi Arabia’s own technology-driven pilgrimage infrastructure, which is increasingly focused on safety, crowd management, and efficient movement across holy sites.
This year also marks a notable step in women’s participation, with around 400 Indian women expected to perform Hajj without a male guardian under India’s women empowerment policy. In addition, more pilgrims will use train services between Makkah, Madinah, and the Mashaer areas, while 350 healthcare professionals will be deployed to support pilgrims with round-the-clock medical care.
With stronger digital tools and expanded services, India’s Hajj preparations this year reflect a more connected and modern pilgrimage experience.
