India climbs to 84th place in the October 2026 Henley Passport rankings. In 2025 , India got 85th rank. This year, Algeria and Mauritania have also placed at 84th place.
Singapore topped the ranking whereas Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates shared 2nd position. Sweden ranked 3rd.
The Henley Passport Index is the original and most authoritative ranking of all the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
A passport receives a score of one if no visa is required to enter a destination. The same score applies when travellers can obtain a visa on arrival (VOA), a visitor’s permit or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
If a visa is required, a score of ‘0’ is assigned. The same value is given if pre-departure government approval for a visa on arrival is required. The total score for each passport equals the number of destinations for which no visa is required.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025 will be awarded to 106 young artists in the field of music, dance and drama on 19 October 2026. This Puraskar was instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006 to recognize young artists up to the age of 40. Since then, these awards have been presented annually to young artists.
This award carries a purse money of ₹25,000 besides a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram.
Who Was Ustad Bismillah Khan ?
He was a legendary player of the shehnai, a traditional Indian wind instrument. Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, in present-day Buxar district of Bihar.
He received prestigious awards
- Padma Shri (1961)
- Padma Bhushan (1968)
- Padma Vibhushan (1980)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956)
- Bharat Ratna (2001)
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan has commissioned INS Samarthak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel, at Karwar, Karnataka.
Objectives of INS Samarthak:
1. Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance: To monitor maritime areas and gather information about activities at sea.
2. Offshore Patrolling: To protect India's maritime interests and support patrol operations.
3. Weapons and Sensor Testing: To test and evaluate indigenous weapons, radars, sensors, and other advanced naval technologies.
4. Unmanned Systems Operations: To act as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems.
5. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): To provide support during natural disasters and maritime emergencies.
6. Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO): To support naval operations against limited maritime threats.
7. Search, Rescue and Salvage Support: To assist vessels in distress and support salvage operations.
8. Defence Self-Reliance: With over 75% indigenous content, INS Samarthak reflects India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
