- India was ranked 81st in the July 2026 edition of the index.
- Indian passport holders could travel to 55 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance, including destinations offering visa-free entry, visa on arrival or similar travel access
- India had improved to the 75th position in February 2026, but later slipped to 78th in May 2026 and further to 81st in July 2026.
- A fall in ranking does not always mean that India lost access to several countries. The rank may also decline when other countries gain additional visa-free access and move ahead
- Singapore retained the first position in the Henley Passport Index 2026, making it the holder of the world’s most powerful passport
- Singaporean passport holders could travel to 192 destinations without obtaining a prior visa.
- Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates jointly occupied the second position in the July 2026 ranking.
- The United Arab Emirates recorded the largest long-term improvement in the history of the Henley Passport Index, reflecting a major expansion in its international visa-free access.
- Afghanistan remained the lowest-ranked country in the index, indicating the most limited level of international travel access among the passports covered.
- The ranking is prepared using official travel data provided by the International Air Transport Association, or IATA.
- The index covers 199 different passports and evaluates access to 227 travel destinations worldwide.
Question:
Q1. According to the July 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, what was India’s rank and how many destinations could Indian passport holders access without obtaining a visa in advance?
a) 75th rank and 58 destinations
b) 78th rank and 57 destinations
c) 81st rank and 55 destinations
d) 85th rank and 52 destinations
Answer: c) Henley & Partners released the July 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index. India ranked 81st, with access to 55 destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival or similar arrangements. Singapore ranked first with access to 192 destinations.
