Overview
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar personally conducted a computer-generated, gender-balanced draw that selected 1,000 yatris for the 2026 pilgrimage.
- Selected pilgrims have been notified by SMS and email and can confirm their status on the official KMY portal or by calling the helpline.
- The 2026 Yatra is organised into 20 batches of 50 pilgrims each and is scheduled to run from June through August with batch details on the KMY website.
- Authorities say both the Lipulekh and Nathu La routes are now fully motorable, which reduces the trekking component and lowers physical demands for participants.
- The government-managed process highlights official oversight of a multi-faith pilgrimage that remains spiritually important while recent upgrades could broaden who can take part.