India’s passport has slipped one place to 125th in the latest Global Passport Index 2026, even as European countries continue to dominate the rankings of the world’s most powerful travel documents. According to the latest index, India is ranked 125th out of 197 countries and territories, down from 124th last year. Nine of the top 10 passports belong to European nations.
India is placed between Namibia, which ranks 124th, and Azerbaijan, which occupies the 126th position on the index. Sweden secured the top spot as the world’s strongest passport, followed by Switzerland and Finland.
However, despite the marginal drop in ranking, India’s composite score has risen to a five-year high of 45.1, reflecting improvements across several assessment parameters.
The index evaluates passports using multiple factors, including visa-free access, mobility, taxation, global perception, and dual citizenship provisions.
Top 10 rankings:
1. Sweden
2. Switzerland
3. Finland
4. Germany
5. The Netherlands
5. Denmark
7. Ireland
8. United Kingdom
9. Norway
10. Singapore
The Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions takes a broader view of a passport’s overall value unlike traditional rankings that primarily measure visa-free travel. It evaluates passports across three key pillars- Enhanced Mobility (50%), Investment (25%) and Quality of Life (25%)- using 14 different indicators.
The methodology draws on data from international organisations such as the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the Sustainable Development Report, making it a more comprehensive assessment of how a passport supports not just international travel, but also relocation, investment and overall global opportunities.
Indian passport holders currently have visa-free, e-Visa, or visa-on-arrival access to over 55 destinations. However, traveling to developed nations (like the US, UK, Schengen area, or Canada) consistently requires an advance application.