External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar oversaw the computerized selection process for Yatris participating in the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) 2026. The Yatra, set to begin in June and end in August, will host 1000 Yatris chosen through a fair, random, and gender-balanced selection method. These Yatris will travel in 20 groups of 50 each through the motorable Lipulekh and Nathu La passes with minimal trekking involved, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The KMY process, managed by the MEA in collaboration with the Chinese government, is entirely computerized from online applications to Yatri selection. The MEA clarified the historical significance of the Lipulekh Pass for the Yatra, dating back to 1954, amidst recent border issue discussions with Nepal. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the Yatra through this pass has been ongoing for decades.
The Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, revered by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists, was halted from 2020 until summer 2025 due to the pandemic and Chinese Yatra arrangements’ suspension. The MEA highlighted the challenging nature of the Yatra, reaching altitudes of 19,500 feet, and the support provided by state governments of Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Sikkim, along with agencies like ITBP, KMVN, and STDC for logistical assistance.
