Indian Passport Ranking Falls To 81st In Henley Passport Index 2026

The Indian passport has fallen to 81st position in the latest Henley Passport Index released on July 21, 2026. The ranking places India alongside Algeria and Mauritania in terms of global travel access.

Indian passport holders currently have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations worldwide. The latest update follows a brief improvement in India's ranking earlier in 2026 before a subsequent decline over recent months.

India Passport Ranking 2026 Drops To 81st Position

India's passport ranking has witnessed notable movement throughout 2026. The country began the year at 85th position and improved to 75th place in the February 2026 edition, marking its strongest ranking in recent years.

However, the gains proved temporary as India slipped to 78th position in May 2026 before declining further to 81st in the latest rankings. The latest edition also shows that Indian passport holders can now access 55 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance, compared with 56 destinations in February 2026.

Henley Passport Index Methodology and Global Coverage

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without securing a prior visa. The rankings are compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and cover 227 travel destinations across the world.

The latest edition marks the 20th anniversary of the index, which is widely tracked as a measure of global travel mobility. Over the past 2 decades, the average number of destinations accessible without a prior visa has increased from 58 in 2006 to 108 in 2026.

World's Most Powerful Passports In 2026

Singapore retained its position as the world's strongest passport in the latest rankings. Singaporean passport holders can travel to 192 destinations without requiring a prior visa, giving the country the top spot globally.

Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates jointly secured second place with access to 188 destinations. Sweden occupied third position with access to 187 destinations, while the United States ranked 10th with visa-free access to 180 destinations.

India Passport Ranking History Over the Years

India's passport ranking has fluctuated significantly over the last 20 years. The country ranked 71st in 2006 but gradually fell to 90th position in 2021, representing its lowest ranking during the period.

India improved to 80th position in 2024 before slipping to 85th in 2025 and then climbing temporarily to 75th in February 2026. The latest decline to 81st highlights the continued variability in India's standing within global passport mobility rankings.

Read More: How to Apply for an e-Passport in India.

Conclusion

The latest Henley Passport Index shows India ranked 81st globally, with access to 55 destinations without a prior visa. This represents a decline from the country's peak ranking of 75th earlier in 2026 and a reduction in travel access from 56 destinations.

While India's ranking remains above its lowest historical position recorded in 2021, it has moved lower compared with the February 2026 edition. The index continues to provide a comparative measure of passport strength based on visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel access worldwide.

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