Summary
January 2026 marked a period of notable progress for India. Significant strides were made in transparency, with India climbing to 91st in the CPI, and global mobility, reaching 80th on the Passport Index. Economically, the country remains a "bright spot," with the Economic Survey projecting a robust 7.4% GDP growth.
Detailed Analysis
1. Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025
- Released in: January 2026 (Annual release).
- Released by: Transparency International.
- India’s Rank: 91st (out of 180+ countries).
- Score: 39/100.
- Key Insight: India jumped 5 places (from 96th in 2024). The improvement is attributed to digital governance and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) reducing leakages. However, the report raised concerns about the safety of journalists reporting on corruption.
- Global Top: Denmark (1st).
2. Henley Passport Index 2026 (Q1 Update)
- Released in: January 2026.
- Released by: Henley & Partners (using IATA data).
- India’s Rank: 80th.
- Key Insight: India’s rank improved from 85th (in 2025) to 80th, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations.
- Global Top: Singapore (1st).
3. Global Firepower Index 2026
- Released in: January 2026.
- Released by: Global Firepower.
- India’s Rank: 4th.
- Key Insight: India maintained its position as the 4th most powerful military in the world, following the USA (1st), Russia (2nd), and China (3rd). The ranking evaluates conventional military strength based on 60+ indicators.
4. Economic Survey 2025-26
- Presented on: January 30, 2026 (The day before the Union Budget).
- Released by: Department of Economic Affairs (under the Chief Economic Advisor).
- Key Projections:
- GDP Growth (FY26): Estimated at 7.4%.
- GDP Growth (FY27 Projection): Range of 6.8% to 7.2%.
- Inflation: Retail inflation moderated to 1.7% (April–Dec 2025).
- Fiscal Deficit: Targeted to remain below 4.5% for FY26.
- Forex Reserves: Reached a record $701.4 billion (as of Jan 16, 2026).
5. World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2026
- Released in: early January 2026.
- Released by: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
- India’s Growth Forecast: Projected at 6.6% for 2026.
- Key Insight: Highlighted India as the "bright spot" in a challenging global economy, driven by resilient domestic consumption and public investment.
| Index / Report | Released By | India's Rank / Status |
| Corruption Perceptions Index | Transparency International | 91st |
| Henley Passport Index | Henley & Partners | 80th |
| Global Firepower Index | Global Firepower | 4th |
| Economic Survey (GDP FY26) | Ministry of Finance (GoI) | 7.4% Growth |
| WESP 2026 (Growth Forecast) | UN DESA | 6.6% Growth |