India, June 25 -- The ministry of external affairs' recent clarification that a passport is a travel document and not conclusive proof of citizenship has triggered a political debate. As the document comes under fresh scrutiny, here's a look at where the Indian passport ranks globally and what that ranking means.

According to the latest Henley Passport Index 2026, released in February, India ranks 75th in the world, a significant improvement from its 85th position in 2025. The index, which measures the travel freedom offered by passports across the globe, gives India a visa-free score of 56.

This means Indian passport holders can travel to 56 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. The score includes countries that allow visa-...