India’s Passport Rank Slips to 78th in Henley Index 2026-56 Destinations Accessible

OVERVIEW

India’s passport has been ranked 78th in the Henley Passport Index 2026. This is a drop of three places from its earlier rank of 75th in February 2026. Indian passport holders can now travel to 56 destinations without a visa or with a visa-on-arrival or e-visa. Despite the drop, India’s rank has improved over the long term. In 2021, it was at 90th position. In 2025, it was at 85th. The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It measures how much travel freedom a passport offers.

WHAT IS THE HENLEY PASSPORT INDEX?

The Henley Passport Index is one of the most trusted global rankings of passports. It is published by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residency advisory firm.

How it works:

• It ranks  199 passports  from around the world.

• The data comes from the  International Air Transport Association (IATA) .

• It measures  visa-free access ,  visa-on-arrival , and  e-visa  access to different destinations.

• A higher rank means greater travel freedom. A lower rank means more visa restrictions.

INDIA’S CURRENT PASSPORT RANKING

Key points:

• India’s rank dropped by  3 places  from 75th to 78th in 2026.

• However, India’s passport has improved significantly from 90th in 2021 to 78th now.

• The drop is a short-term fluctuation, while the long-term trend is upward.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR INDIAN TRAVELLERS?

For most travellers, the impact of this small drop is minimal. Here is what Indian passport holders can expect:

• No major change  in travel access.

• Continued access to  56 countries  through visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or e-visa options.

• Examples of