SynopsisIndia's passport has dropped to 125th globally in the 2026 rankings, offering visa-free access to only 26 destinations. This marks a decline from last year's position, placing it behind several nations including the Philippines and Morocco. While India outranks some South Asian neighbours like Nepal and Bangladesh, it still requires visas for major global powers. European nations continue to dominate the top spots in global travel mobility.Getty ImagesIndia's passport has dropped to 125th globally in the 2026 rankings, offering visa-free access to only 26 destinationsIndia has slipped one place to 125th in the Global Passport Index 2026, reversing the modest gains it made over the past year and remaining outside the world's top 100 passports.The Indian passport now provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 26 destinations. India had improved to 124th in the 2025 rankings after being placed 127th between 2021 and 2023, but has since lost ground.Also Read: The Passport act: Why the little book was never a proof of citizenshipIn the latest rankings, India trails countries such as the Philippines, Morocco, Uzbekistan and Namibia, while ranking ahead of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.Indian passport holders can travel without a prior visa, or obtain one on arrival, in destinations including Bhutan, Nepal, Jamaica, Macau, Palestine, Tunisia, Angola and Barbados. However, they still require a visa to enter around 88 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China and the United Arab Emirates.Also Read: More than just a document? India’s passport boom, in numbersWithin the neighbourhood, China emerged as the highest-ranked country at 104th, well ahead of India. However, India continues to outperform several South Asian peers, with Nepal ranked 164th, Bangladesh 166th and Pakistan near the bottom of the list at 188th.The Global Passport Index 2026 is led overwhelmingly by European countries, highlighting the region's continued dominance in global travel mobility. Both the United States and France narrowly missed the top 10, sharing the 11th position, while Canada ranked 13th, reinforcing the strength of North American passports alongside Europe's leading performers. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now