Source: IE
Context
In July 2026, the 5th annual Global Passport Index (GPI) 2026 — released by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), a Portugal-based residency and citizenship advisory firm — ranked 197 countries on the strength of their passports. India was ranked 125th with a composite score of 45.1 — its highest in 5 years — but slipped 1 rank from 124th (2025); over 5 years, India has moved up just 2 places (from 127th). Sweden topped the list with 96.05, followed by Switzerland (2nd), Finland (3rd), Germany (4th), Netherlands (5th) — Nordic + European nations continue to dominate. The GPI uses three parameters: Enhanced Mobility (50%), Investment (25%), Quality of Life (25%). India’s category-wise performance: 136th in Enhanced Mobility (down 1), 118th in Quality of Life (up 11), and 94th in Investment (up 3).
What is India’s ranking?
- Rank 2026: 125th (of 197).
- Score: 45.1 (highest in 5 years).
- Change from 2025: Down 1 rank (from 124th).
- Change over 5 years: Up 2 ranks (from 127th).
Who leads the GPI 2026 (Top 10)?
- 1st: Sweden — 96.05.
- 2nd: Switzerland.
- 3rd: Finland.
- 4th: Germany.
- 5th: Netherlands.
- 6th: Denmark.
- 7th: Ireland.
- 8th: United Kingdom.
- 9th: Norway.
- 10th: Singapore.
What are the 3 categories of GPI?
- Enhanced Mobility — 50% weightage.
- Investment — 25% weightage.
- Quality of Life — 25% weightage.
India’s Category-wise Performance
- Enhanced Mobility: 136th (↓ 1 from 2025).
- Quality of Life: 118th (↑ 11 from 2025).
- Investment: 94th (↑ 3 from 2025).
Other Major Global Indices Where India is Ranked
| # | Index | Publisher | India’s Rank | Latest Edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Human Development Index (HDI) | UNDP | 130 / 193 | HDR 2025 (released May 2025) |
| 2 | Global Hunger Index (GHI) | Concern Worldwide + Welthungerhilfe (+ IFHV) | 102 / 123 | 2025 |
| 3 | Global Innovation Index (GII) | WIPO (with Portulans Institute) | 38 / 139 | 2025 |
| 4 | Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) | Transparency International | 91 / 182 | 2025 (released Feb 2026) |
| 5 | World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) | Reporters Without Borders (RSF) | 151 / 180 | 2025 |
| 6 | Global Peace Index (GPI) | Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) | 115 / 163 | 2025 |
| 7 | Ease of Doing Business (Doing Business Report) | World Bank (discontinued Sept 2021) | 63 / 190 | 2020 (last edition) |
| 8 | Sustainable Development Report (SDG Index) | UN SDSN | 94 / 167 | 2026 |
| 9 | World Happiness Report | University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre (with Gallup and UN SDSN) | 116 / 147 | 2026 |
| 10 | Environmental Performance Index (EPI) | Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy + Columbia CIESIN | 176 / 180 | 2024 (biennial; next edition 2026) |
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Global Passport Index (GPI) 2026, consider the following statements:
- It is published by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), a Portugal-based firm.
- It ranks 197 countries.
- Sweden topped the rankings with a score of 96.05.
- It is published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; the GPI is published by Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), NOT the World Economic Forum. WEF publishes different reports — Global Competitiveness Report, Global Gender Gap Report.)
Q2. With reference to India’s rank in GPI 2026, consider the following statements:
- India was ranked 125th of 197 countries.
- India’s composite score was 45.1 — its highest in 5 years.
- India dropped 1 rank from 2025 (was 124th).
- India was ranked 100th in Enhanced Mobility.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; India was ranked 136th in Enhanced Mobility (down 1 from 2025) — NOT 100th. India performs best in Investment (94th).)
Answer Key
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: Published by GCS, not WEF.
- (c) — Statement 4 wrong: India ranked 136th in Mobility, not 100th.
Exam Relevance
- UPSC Prelims & Mains: CRITICAL — GS-II (International Relations, Global Indices); Prelims (indices, publishers, India’s rank); Mains-Essay on India’s global standing.
- NABARD Grade A: High — general awareness on global indices.
- State PCS: Very High — indices are recurring GK.
- RBI Grade B (Phase I + II): CRITICAL — ESI on economic indices, external sector.
