Reports IndicesWednesday, 27 May 2026·The Hindu
World Press Freedom Index 2026: India ranks 159 out of 180
Reporters Without Borders annual ranking - India improves marginally; Norway tops the list.
Key highlights
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 180 countries on press freedom indicators.
- India's rank: 159 (up from 161 in 2024)
- Top 3: Norway, Denmark, Sweden
- Bottom 3: Eritrea, Syria, North Korea
- Indicators: Political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, safety
- India's score: 36.62 / 100 - classified as "very serious situation"
TNPSC angle: International reports & indices - frequently asked across all groups. Remember the publishing organisation (RSF) and India's range (typically 150–161 over recent years).