Once a symbol of growing mobility, the Indian passport has slipped further in global rankings, now standing at 85th place according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. For millions of travellers, this means a shrinking horizon as Indian citizens can now visit just 57 countries without needing a visa in advance, two fewer than last year.
The index evaluates passports worldwide based on the number of countries that allow entry visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or with an electronic travel authorisation. India’s decline isn’t sudden; it’s part of a downward trend over the past several years. Back in 2006, India held its best ranking at 71st place. Today, it sits behind many Asian and global peers, including neighbours Bhutan (92nd) and Sri Lanka, while Pakistan and Afghanistan remain near the bottom of the list.
In sharp contrast, passports from countries like Singapore, Japan, Germany, and several in Europe open doors to over 190 destinations, underscoring the widening gap in travel freedom.
For Indian passport holders, spontaneous international travel is getting tougher. The list of visa-free countries includes familiar friends such as Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Mauritius, and Trinidad & Tobago. There’s also access to nations offering visa-on-arrival or e-visas, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Jordan, Cambodia, Qatar, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, and a handful of island destinations.
While these options still allow for some mobility, the overall decline highlights the challenges faced by ordinary Indians looking to explore the world without bureaucratic hassles. For business travellers, students, and holidaymakers alike, each dip on the passport index is more than a statistic. It’s a reminder of doors slowly closing, even as dreams of global travel persist.
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