The PSU firm further noted that it continues to work towards maintaining reliable and efficient energy access, aiming to support both households and businesses during the current period of uncertainty. New Delhi: State-run oil marketing company Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) on Monday said
iPhone Fold tipped to use an advanced hinge design to solve crease issue: ReportApple may bring a foldable iPhone with a new hinge design using 3D printing, which aims to reduce crease visibility and improve screen durability over time. Updated on: Apr 06
The Bangladeshi government has said it suspects that measles has killed at least 98 children in the past three weeks in the country, AFP reported on Sunday. This has prompted the government to launch an emergency vaccination drive in 18 high-risk districts
Sunrisers Hyderabad, a side already backed into a corner by injury, was pinned to the wall a bit more by a man with a point to prove. Age had bent Mohammed Shami’s back, not his spirit. He struck, not with the fury of youth, but the precision of a legend to lay the foundation of Lucknow Super
NCP leaders said that they are trying to get in touch with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to get Sunetra Pawar elected unopposed. In Maharashtra's political landscape, Congress has caused chaos with a single move. While political parties across the spectrum have decided not to field a
Planning Hajj 2026? Key updates, visa rules, Nusuk registration and important deadlines you shouldn’t miss
Planning Hajj 2026? Key updates, visa rules, Nusuk registration and important deadlines you shouldn’t miss
Saudi Arabia has accelerated preparations for Hajj 2026 (1447 AH), introducing earlier visa processing, stricter timelines and a fully digital system to manage millions of pilgrims.
According to official timelines, Hajj is expected to take place between May 24 and May 29, 2026, with international arrivals scheduled from April 18 to May 21.
In a major shift, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah began issuing visas as early as February 8, 2026, months ahead of the pilgrimage. This early rollout aims to improve coordination and avoid last-minute travel chaos.
Saudi authorities have also enforced strict booking timelines, instructing governments and private operators globally to finalise arrangements well in advance to secure accommodation and transport.
For Hajj 2026, Saudi Arabia has made the Nusuk platform the central system for the entire pilgrimage process. This unified digital platform now handles everything from visa applications to on-ground services, eliminating the need for multiple intermediaries.
Through Nusuk, pilgrims can not only register but also book and manage key components of their journey. These include accommodation in Mecca and Medina intercity transport, and guided service packages.
One of the most sought-after features is the ability to book Rawdah (Riyaz ul Jannah) visit permits at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, which are issued in limited slots and must be reserved in advance.
The platform also allows pilgrims to:
Authorities say this system improves transparency and prevents fraud, especially after action was taken against nearly 1,800 foreign travel agencies for service violations.
As of the latest available updates, over 1.2 million pilgrims have already registered or initiated applications globally, reflecting strong demand. Final participation is expected to cross 2 million, similar to pre-pandemic levels.
Pilgrims can access Nusuk via its official website (nusuk.sa) or mobile app, and are advised to rely only on authorised channels for bookings.
Saudi Arabia has tightened rules around the transition from Umrah to Hajj in an effort to better manage crowds and prevent unauthorised stays. The government has clearly defined cut-off dates for Umrah pilgrims, ensuring that only registered Hajj participants remain in the country during peak days.
Officials stressed that these measures are essential for maintaining safety in Mecca and Medina, where millions gather within a short span. This year’s focus is on stricter enforcement, with authorities closely monitoring entry, exit and accommodation records through integrated digital systems.
The broader regulatory push also includes improved licensing rules for hotels and transport providers, ensuring only approved operators serve pilgrims during the season.
From a travel perspective, Hajj 2026 is expected to be better organised but slightly more complex due to tighter controls and global uncertainties. Airlines across the Gulf and South Asia have already begun adjusting schedules to accommodate the early travel window, with additional Hajj flights likely to be introduced closer to departure dates.
However, ongoing tensions in the region, particularly involving the United States and Iran, have led to some airspace adjustments. Aviation experts say flights are unlikely to be cancelled, but rerouting and minor delays may occur, especially on routes crossing sensitive zones.
Hotel accommodation in Mecca and Medina is also undergoing tighter regulation this year. Saudi authorities have introduced a seasonal licensing system to ensure quality standards, which could lead to limited availability and slightly higher prices in prime areas close to the Grand Mosque.
Pilgrims are advised to finalise bookings early, stick to authorised platforms and remain flexible with travel plans. Those travelling from Gulf countries such as the UAE, Qatar and Oman are expected to benefit from shorter travel times, but must still comply with the same strict documentation and scheduling requirements.
For Gulf-based pilgrims, the 2026 Hajj season offers better planning tools but demands stricter discipline. The early visa rollout and digital systems make the process more efficient, but missing a deadline or failing to meet requirements could result in disqualification.
Saudi Arabia’s approach reflects a broader shift towards a tech-driven, tightly regulated pilgrimage system, aimed at improving safety and managing record participation levels. At the same time, evolving geopolitical conditions mean travellers must stay alert to advisories and plan with extra caution.
Source: Msn.com
Related Posts: At least 40 Hyderabad hajj pilgrims feared dead in Saudi bus crash—what we know When will issuance of Hajj visas start Centre planning women’s reservation from 2029 polls Meal planning for better nutrition Planning a Goa trip Planning to switch to a smartwatch Gaurav Khanna's Wife Akanksha Chamola Is Not Planning A Baby Planning a Chardham Yatra Comprehensive financial planning Planning your next international trip
Renowned actress Subashini Balusubramaniyam has reportedly died by suicide in Chennai. Subashini Balasubramaniyam's death: Tamil television actress Subashini Balasubramaniyam, best known for her role in the popular serial Kayal, was found dead on April 6, 2026, in Chennai
1 minutes ago
Pressure from MPs and Jewish groups is mounting to cancel Kanye West's appearance at Wireless Festival and prevent him from entering the UK over his previous antisemitic comments. The star, now known as Ye, released a song called Heil Hitler and sold swastika T-shirts last year before apologising
1 minutes ago
RCB’s viral ‘Ek tha…’ post sparks Dhoni debate after big win over CSK in IPL 2026. Here’s what happened and why fans are divided. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s convincing win over Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 was followed by a social media controversy after a post widely seen as a
1 minutes ago
Bengaluru resident returns after 2 years, flags worsening roads, garbage and traffic: 'Whole city stinks of filth'A Bengaluru resident's post on worsening roads, garbage and traffic after 2 years away has sparked a debate, with many agreeing and some defending the city. Updated on: Apr 06
1 minutes ago
Jordi Saltiveri gazes across his farmland, on which he keeps 8,000 pigs, and remembers the day late last year when the news emerged that African Swine Fever (ASF) had been detected in Spain. I felt sad, angry, impotent," he says. "Once it's known that a country is positive for ASF
1 minutes ago
Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor recently recalled a disturbing experience from her teenage years, revealing that she once saw her morphed picture on a porn site when she was 15. At the time, she was still in school, and she tried to rationalize it
1 minutes ago
No-one will have been further from home than the Artemis astronauts. But as the Earth shrinks ever smaller in their rear-view mirror, they've had a constant connection with mission control in Houston, Texas. The calm words from the Nasa team have given the crew a comforting link with home
1 minutes ago
The GCC ecosystem in India is being democratised by the rise of mid-market and nano GCCs, signalling a shift towards more diverse operating models. New Delhi: Global capability centre (GCC) leasing in India reached a record 9.1 million square feet in the January–March period this year
1 minutes ago
Unauthorised basement use: CIC slaps ₹20,000 penalty on MCD officials for 'mala fide' replyUnauthorised basement use: CIC slaps ₹20,000 penalty on MCD officials for 'mala fide' reply Published on: Apr 06, 2026 5:52 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi
1 minutes ago
Sonipat, Jhajjar, Bhiwani and Faridabad are significant contributors, collectively turning Yamuna river into a heavily contaminated stream upstream of Delhi Long before the Yamuna reaches the national capital, its decline is already well underway
1 minutes ago
An irony hides in the context of the NASA Artemis II launch on April 2. The U.S. has both openly and in internal reports cast the Artemis programme to return American astronauts to the moon as part of a race against China. But as China in Space editor Jack Congram has pointed out
1 minutes ago
After a specular performance in FY26 including that of March 2026, automobile dealers now remain “constructively cautious” about the future as the war in West Asia is threatening growth. “The broader operating environment is clouded by the West Asia situation. Our survey reveals that 53
1 minutes ago
MBOSE 10th Result 2026: Meghalaya Board SSLC results releasing tomorrow at mbose.inMBOSE 10th Result 2026 will be declared on April 7, 2026. The steps to check Meghalaya Board SSLC results is given here. Published on: Apr 06, 2026 4:05 PM IST By HT Education Desk Share via Copy link Meghalaya Board
1 minutes ago
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with a National Company Law Appellate Tribunal order declining to stay the proposed takeover of the now-insolvent Jaypee group’s assets by Gautam Adani’s Adani Enterprises, PTI reported.The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with a
1 minutes ago
Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2026 Date: The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board is likely to announce the KSEAB 2nd PUC Result 2026 online soon. The results will be available on the board’s official websites—kseab.karnataka.gov.in and karresults.nic.in
1 minutes ago
NASA's Artemis II mission has propelled its astronauts into the moon’s gravitational field, embarking on an extraordinary adventure that will place them at the frontier of space travel. As they approach the moon’s dark side, they’re in for awe-inspiring sights—a lunar eclipse awaits them
1 minutes ago
Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign after a fast-spreading measles outbreak is suspected of killing more than 100 people, mostly children, in what may be the country's most lethal wave of the disease in recent history. The campaign, which began on Sunday
1 minutes ago
Singapore recently reported the case of infections of the Mpox with a more serious clade 1b variant of the virus. With two men aged 30 and 34 testing positive, concerns around the virus are resurfacing globally. Mpox or monkeypox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus
1 minutes ago
KKR vs PBKS Kolkata Weather Update Today: Struggling Kolkata Knight Riders face an in-form Punjab Kings today, a stark contrast to their previous season's performance. Punjab, led by Shreyas Iyer, has started strong with two wins, while KKR finished eighth last year
1 minutes ago
I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett - the past two winners of the Grand National - head the confirmations for Saturday's race at Aintree. The pair, both trained by Willie Mullins, won the race in 2024 and 2025 respectively and top the weights for the 2026 renewal
1 minutes ago
This monetary policy review stands out as one of the most challenging in recent years because the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is dealing with multiple, conflicting macroeconomic signals at the same time, leaving very little room for a clear policy direction
1 minutes ago
The investment planning of an Oracle techie is going viral -- how despite getting fired, he is not in panic. New Delhi: On one hand while there is a mayhem in job market after massive layoff at Oracle, a techie who was fired from the company is making huge buzz in the social media --but not for the
1 minutes ago
Iran is making its stance known, turning down the earlier 15-point peace blueprint proposed by the US. Conversely, a prospect for a ceasefire and reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz is on the table with a proposal mediated by Pakistan. Hours ahead of a much-anticipated press conference by US
1 minutes ago
Rahul Arunoday Banerjee Death: The famous Bengali star died on March 29 after drowning while shooting for a television serial 'Bhole Baba Paar Karega'. Kolkata: The Bengali entertainment industry has announced an indefinite strike beginning April 7
1 minutes ago
Akshay Kumar reveals which selfie is his ‘favourite’ at Bhooth Bangla trailer launch, check it outActor Akshay Kumar was in his element at the trailer launch of his next film, Bhooth Bangla- and shared a cute BTS story from the sets. Published on: Apr 06
1 minutes ago
India banking on depth, home support in Billie Jean King Cup ties: Uppal Published on: Apr 06, 2026 2:16 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link India banking on depth, home support in Billie Jean King Cup ties: Uppal Key Takeaways Summary is AI-generated India's captain Vishal Uppal expressed confidence in
1 minutes ago
Dehradun: Pilgrims heading to Kedarnath this year will have to book helicopter tickets exclusively through IRCTC. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has announced that 100% of bookings will be online, with the portal scheduled to open on April 10, 2026
1 minutes ago
