India’s Passport Ranking in October 2026
India Ranks 84th in Henley Passport Index 2026: India ranked 84th in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, sharing the position with Algeria and Mauritania, according to the supplied report released on 9 October 2026.
India improved from 85th in October 2025 but fell three places from its July 2026 ranking of 81st. Despite the annual improvement in rank, the number of destinations accessible without obtaining a traditional visa beforehand declined from 57 to 55.
This demonstrates that passport rank and travel access are different measures. A country’s position can improve relative to others even when its own access score decreases.
Key Features of the Index
The Henley Passport Index compares passports according to the travel access available to their holders. The supplied report covers 199 passports and 227 destinations.
India’s reported score of 55 destinations indicates the number of destinations accessible under the index’s qualifying entry rules. It does not necessarily mean that travellers can enter every destination without any documentation or conditions.
Static GK fact: The Henley Passport Index is associated with Henley & Partners and uses international air-travel information to compare passport-based mobility.
Singapore Tops the Global Ranking
According to the October 2026 report, Singapore ranked first, with access to 193 destinations without a traditional visa obtained in advance. Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates jointly occupied second place, with access to 188 destinations each.
The difference between Singapore’s reported score of 193 and India’s 55 highlights the unequal distribution of international travel privileges.
However, passport rankings measure short-term entry access rather than the right to live, work or study permanently in another country.
Understanding Visa-Free Access
The index considers several forms of entry permission when calculating its score.
- Visa-free entry: Eligible travellers can enter without obtaining a visa in advance, subject to local entry conditions.
- Visa on arrival: Permission or a visa is obtained after reaching the destination.
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA): An electronic authorisation required before travel for eligible visitors.
- Electronic visa (e-visa): A visa applied for and generally approved electronically before departure.
These categories are different. An e-visa usually requires advance approval, whereas visa-free entry does not require a conventional visa.
Static GK Tip: A passport is a travel document issued by a government to establish the identity and nationality of its holder. A visa is permission granted by another country for a specified purpose and period of stay.
Factors Affecting India’s Ranking
Passport rankings depend on the entry policies of destination countries and the relative performance of other passports. The supplied report partly attributes India’s decline in accessible destinations to changes in entry arrangements involving Iran and Bolivia.
Changes in visa agreements, diplomatic relations and immigration policies can affect a passport’s access score. Therefore, a higher ranking does not automatically mean greater travel freedom for every passport holder.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
India Ranks 84th in Henley Passport Index 2026:
| Fact | Detail |
| Index | Henley Passport Index |
| Latest edition covered | October 2026 |
| India’s reported rank | 84th |
| Countries sharing India’s rank | Algeria and Mauritania |
| India’s reported access score | 55 destinations |
| India’s October 2025 rank | 85th |
| India’s July 2026 rank | 81st |
| Top-ranked passport | Singapore |
| Singapore’s reported score | 193 destinations |
| Joint second place | Japan, South Korea and UAE |
| Index coverage reported | 199 passports and 227 destinations |
| Main ranking criterion | Access without a traditional visa obtained in advance |
