India's passport has slipped to the 85th position among 199 countries in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, falling from its 80th spot last year.
The index, published by Henley & Partners, evaluates passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a pre-departure visa.
Indian passport holders now have visa-free access to 57 countries, down from 62 in 2024. This marks the country’s lowest ranking since 2021 when it was ranked 90th. India's highest position in the index was 71, achieved in 2006.
In this year’s ranking, India shares the 85th spot with Equatorial Guinea and Niger. Comparatively, neighboring Pakistan ranked 103rd, dropping from 101 in 2024, while Bangladesh stood at 100th, down from 97 last year.
Singapore continues to dominate the index with the world’s most powerful passport, allowing its citizens visa-free access to 195 destinations. Japan holds the second position globally.
Countries including Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Spain secured the third spot, granting their citizens visa-free entry to 192 nations.
At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the weakest passport, ranked 106th, with its citizens able to travel visa-free to just 26 destinations.
In 2024, six nations - France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain - shared the top spot for the first time in the index's history. However, Singapore has now reclaimed sole possession of first place.