India’s passport ranking drops to 148 among 199 countries
New Delhi: India’s passport ranking has fallen to 148th place among 199 countries, down from 147th last year, in a list of the world’s most powerful passports, according to the latest Nomad Capitalist Passport Index 2025.
The index, released by the tax and immigration consultancy firm Nomad Capitalist, ranks passports based on five key parameters: visa-free travel (50%), taxation (20%), global perception (10%), dual citizenship (10%), and personal freedom (10%).
The index uses government data from 199 passport-issuing countries and territories, alongside real-time intelligence and proprietary research, to measure the ease of travel, which includes visa-free access, visa on arrival, and electronic travel authorizations (eTA/eVisa).
India shared the 148th spot with the East African country of Comoros, with a total score of 47.5. Last year, it held the 147th rank with Mozambique.
Ireland was ranked as the world’s strongest passport of 2025 on the Nomad Capitalist Passport Index, due to Irish citizens’ “right to live and work freely across the European Union and, uniquely, in the United Kingdom”.
Switzerland followed in second place, followed by Greece, Portugal, Malta, Italy, Luxembourg, Finland, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and Iceland. The United States held the joint 45th rank alongside San Marino.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, countries like Pakistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Yemen, and Afghanistan were ranked among the weakest passports, placing from 195th to 199th.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
