Secrecy surrounding Haj 2026 inspector exams sparks demand for public disclosure

By A Representative 

Several social activists, lawyers and minority rights representatives have raised serious concerns over the alleged lack of transparency in the selection process of State Hajj Inspectors (SHIs) for Haj 2026. In a joint representation submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Hajj Committee of India (HCI), Mumbai, they questioned the secrecy surrounding written examination results, interview outcomes and the repeated selection of the same candidates.

The representation refers to the computer-based written tests and interviews conducted across India in December 2025 for the appointment of State Hajj Inspectors for Haj 2026. According to the signatories, while the Hajj Committee of India has published the all-India list of candidates eligible to appear for the written examination on its official website, the list of candidates who passed the written test and those selected after interviews has not been placed in the public domain.

Focusing on Telangana, the representation states that 288 candidates from the state were issued roll numbers for the computer-based test. Of these, only 263 candidates were declared as having passed the written examination, but neither their marks nor their district-wise details were disclosed. The outcome of the remaining 25 candidates, the representation alleges, has also not been clarified.

The signatories further claim that even candidates who cleared the written examination but were not selected in the interview were denied information about their written test marks, despite making requests. They argue that this makes it impossible for unsuccessful candidates to assess the fairness of the interview process.

As per the representation, out of the 263 Telangana candidates who cleared the written test, 67 were declared successful in the interview stage, with 43 finally selected and 24 placed on a waiting list. However, details of written and interview marks of only these 67 candidates appear to exist in a final list, which too has not been uploaded on the Hajj Committee of India’s website.

Another major concern highlighted is the alleged high proportion of “repeaters” among the selected candidates. The representation claims that about 50 percent of the 43 selected candidates from Telangana are repeat deputationists from various government departments, including two from the Waqf Board. It alleges that department names and district details of many such repeaters have not been disclosed, raising questions about the basis on which repeat candidates are preferred over first-time applicants.

The signatories have demanded that the Hajj Committee of India publish the complete list of candidates who appeared for the written examination for Haj 2026, along with their marks, pass/fail status, district-wise details and departmental affiliations where applicable. They have also urged that the written test results and interview selection lists be made publicly available to ensure transparency and restore confidence in the selection process.

Additionally, they have called for giving preference to candidates who have not previously served as State Hajj Inspectors, arguing that the government already bears the cost of training all selected candidates, whether repeaters or first-timers.

The representation has been signed by Advocate Dr Lubna Sarwath, social activist and ecological economist, along with several other activists and representatives from Hyderabad and Telangana. Copies have also been marked to the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, the Secretary of the Telangana Minority Welfare Department, and the Executive Officer of the Telangana State Hajj Committee.

The signatories have sought an early clarification from the Hajj Committee of India, stating that transparency and equal application of rules are essential to ensure fairness and prevent any perception of favouritism in the State Hajj Inspector selection process.