India has been ranked 125th out of 197 countries in the Global Passport Index 2026, slipping one place from last year. While the country’s overall score has improved, the Indian passport has climbed only two positions over the past five years.
Unlike many passport rankings that focus only on visa-free travel, the Global Passport Index evaluates passports based on global mobility, investment potential and quality of living. These three factors together determine a passport’s overall strength.
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The Indian passport currently offers visa-free access to 26 countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, Barbados, Jamaica, Tunisia and Angola. However, Indian travellers still require visas for several major destinations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United Arab Emirates.
India ranked 136th in the Enhanced Mobility Index, 118th in the Quality of Living Index and 94th in the Investment Index. While mobility slipped slightly, the country recorded improvements in quality of living and investment rankings.
Sweden claimed the top spot as the world’s strongest passport in 2026, followed by Switzerland, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway and Singapore.
