Kamal Ghorui
India’s passport has risen through the ranks, climbing to the 75th position in the world’s most powerful passports list, as per the latest Henley Passport Index data for February 2026. India’s passport ranked at 80th position at the start of 2026. The Henley Passport index periodically ranks passports of countries around the world on the basis of the number of destinations a passport holder can visit visa-free.The rise in rankings reflects a gradual strengthening of the Indian passport in recent years. Among passports issued by nearly 200 countries, traditional leaders such as the United States and the United Kingdom have slipped in the rankings, while several Asian nations, such as Singapore, have moved ahead to dominate the list in terms of travel freedom.In terms of overall strength, the Indian passport has seen an improvement compared with last year, though its performance over a longer time frame has fluctuated significantly. Despite the recent gains, its current ranking remains below the level it held a decade ago. India’s best ranking was 71st, achieved in 2006.At present, India is placed at the 75th position in the index. However, it still trails several countries when measured by the number of destinations that allow Indian passport holders visa-free entry or provide visa-on-arrival access.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports In The World: February 2026 Rankings
Asian countries continue to dominate global passport rankings, with Singapore, Japan and South Korea occupying leading positions among the world’s most powerful passports. Citizens of these countries currently benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 185 destinations, reflecting strong diplomatic ties, robust economic relationships and extensive global connectivity. Their position at the top of the rankings has remained largely unchanged in recent years.At the same time, the influence of traditionally dominant Western countries has weakened. The United States and the United Kingdom, which ranked among the strongest passports in 2014 due to their wide international access, have seen a noticeable drop in their positions over the past decade.The United States now stands at tenth place and lags behind 37 countries in terms of the number of destinations that allow easy entry for its passport holders.
