Why the Indian Passport is Falling in Global Ranking

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Why the Indian Passport is Falling in Global Ranking

Analysis

1. Recent Ranking:
   • According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, India’s passport ranks 85th out of 199 countries, falling five spots lower than last year.
   • The index assesses global passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
2. Comparative Position:
   • India now shares the 85th rank with Mauritania, with visa-free access to 57 countries.
   • Countries with smaller economies—like Rwanda (78th), Ghana (74th), and Azerbaijan (72nd)—rank higher than India.
3. Global Leaders:
   • Singapore leads the 2025 index, offering visa-free entry to 193 destinations.
   • South Korea follows with 190, while Japan stands at 189.
4. Trend Over the Decade:
   • Over the last ten years, India’s rank has generally remained in the 80s range, briefly dipping to the 90th spot in 2021.
   • Despite being the fifth-largest economy, India’s global travel access remains limited.
5. Government Response:
   • The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued any official comment.
   • The issue has sparked public debate following a viral video by a travel influencer highlighting the difficulties faced by Indian tourists in securing visas for Western destinations.

Static Information

• Henley Passport Index:
  Compiled by Henley & Partners, this global ranking measures passport strength based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
  • Criteria: Number of destinations accessible without prior visa (includes visa-free and visa-on-arrival).
  • Updated quarterly.
• India’s Passport Access (2025):
  • Visa-free/visa-on-arrival access: 57 countries.
  • Shared rank: 85th with Mauritania.
  • Top performers: Singapore (193), South Korea (190), Japan (189).

Updated – 01 Nov 2025 ; 9:21 AM | News Source: BBC News