India Ranks 157 in Press Freedom Index

India ranked 157th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index released on 30 April 2026 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The ranking placed India in the “very serious” category for press freedom, and India fell six places from its 2025 rank of 151.

World Press Freedom Index

The World Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking prepared by Reporters Without Borders, also known as RSF. The index assesses press freedom conditions in 180 countries and territories using indicators linked to pluralism, media independence, environment, self-censorship, legal framework, transparency, and safety.

India’s Position in Recent Editions

India ranked 159th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The 2026 rank of 157 placed India above its 2024 position but below its 2025 position of 151.

Factors Listed in the 2026 Assessment

RSF linked India’s decline to violence against journalists, concentrated media ownership, and media outlets with political alignment. The report also referred to judicial harassment of independent media and the use of criminal statutes such as defamation and national security laws against journalists.

Important Facts for Exams

• Reporters Without Borders is a Paris-based organisation that publishes the World Press Freedom Index every year.
• The World Press Freedom Index covers 180 countries and territories in its annual ranking.
• India was placed in the “very serious” category in the 2026 index.
• The 2026 index was released on 30 April 2026.

Global Classification in 2026

For the first time in the 25-year history of the index, more than half of the world’s countries fell into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories in 2026. The index uses category labels to classify press freedom conditions across countries.