Are you eligible for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? Check rules before applying

The registration process for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 is underway, and the Ministry of External Affairs has urged interested pilgrims to carefully review all eligibility conditions before submitting applications.

The sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar is considered one of the holiest journeys for devotees. Due to the physically demanding terrain and high-altitude conditions, strict health and eligibility criteria have been put in place for applicants.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE YATRA

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria

• Must be an Indian citizen

• Should possess a valid Indian passport with at least six months’ validity as on September 1 of the current year

• Applicant’s age should be between 18 and 70 years as on January 1 of the current year

• Foreign nationals and OCI cardholders are not eligible for the yatra

APPLICANTS MUST MEET BMI AND FITNESS CRITERIA

The ministry has specified the following fitness requirements for applicants:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) should be 25 or below

• Applicants must be physically fit for high-altitude travel

• Pilgrims should be medically healthy to undertake the difficult journey safely

Since the pilgrimage involves travelling through high-altitude regions and challenging terrain, physical fitness is considered extremely important.

CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS MAY LEAD TO DISQUALIFICATION

Applicants suffering from the following medical conditions may not qualify for the pilgrimage:

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes

• Asthma

• Epilepsy

• Heart disease

Selected applicants will also be required to undergo mandatory medical examinations conducted by the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute and the ITBP Base Hospital in New Delhi to assess their high-altitude endurance and overall fitness.

Any pilgrim found medically unfit at any stage of the yatra will not be allowed to continue the journey.

IMPORTANT CONDITIONS APPLICANTS SHOULD KNOW

The ministry has issued several important guidelines for applicants:

• Incomplete applications are liable to be rejected

• Incorrect or false information may lead to disqualification at any stage

• Applicants are responsible for entering accurate personal details, including name spellings and date of birth

• Preference may be given to first-time applicants

• Applicants who have already undertaken the yatra more than four times through the ministry may face restrictions under the moratorium policy

• Applicants facing legal or executive restrictions preventing overseas travel are not eligible to apply

HOW TO APPLY

Interested devotees can complete their registration and check detailed guidelines through the official portal, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Official Website

The Ministry of External Affairs has advised applicants to complete the registration process before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.