- India has ranked 88th out of 143 countries and jurisdictions in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2026, recording an overall score of 0.48.
- The latest results place India two positions lower than its 86th rank in the 2025 edition.
- The annual index evaluates how the rule of law operates in practice, examining government accountability, fundamental rights, corruption, public safety and access to justice.
WJP Rule of Law Index 2026: India’s Key Highlights
- Global rank: 88th out of 143 countries and jurisdictions
- Overall score: 0.48
- 2025 ranking: 86th
- Change in ranking: Down two positions
- South Asian regional ranking: 3rd out of 6 countries
- Income-group ranking: 6th among 33 lower-middle-income countries
The figures are published in the World Justice Project’s official country profile for India.
What Is the WJP Rule of Law Index?
- The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index is an international assessment that measures how people experience the rule of law in their countries.
- It uses household surveys and assessments by legal practitioners and other experts to evaluate the performance of institutions and the practical application of laws.
- The 2026 edition covers 143 countries and jurisdictions and assesses eight major factors.
Eight Factors Used to Assess the Rule of Law
The index evaluates countries across the following areas:
- Constraints on Government Powers: Examines checks and balances on government authority.
- Absence of Corruption: Assesses corruption in government institutions.
- Open Government: Measures transparency, access to information and public participation.
- Fundamental Rights: Evaluates the protection of basic rights.
- Order and Security: Examines public safety and security.
- Regulatory Enforcement: Assesses the fair and effective implementation of regulations.
- Civil Justice: Evaluates accessibility, affordability and effectiveness in resolving civil disputes.
- Criminal Justice: Examines the effectiveness and fairness of criminal justice systems.
These factors provide a broader picture of institutional performance than a single overall ranking.
India’s Performance Across Different Factors
India’s 2026 country profile reports varying results across the eight categories.
| Factor | Global Rank |
|---|---|
| Open Government | 45th |
| Constraints on Government Powers | 64th |
| Regulatory Enforcement | 77th |
| Criminal Justice | 90th |
| Absence of Corruption | 96th |
| Fundamental Rights | 103rd |
| Order and Security | 115th |
| Civil Justice | 116th |
- The figures show differences in India’s relative performance across the index’s categories. Open Government ranks highest among these factors, while Civil Justice and Order and Security rank lower.
- These rankings indicate relative positions among participating countries; they should not be interpreted as a complete assessment of every institution or legal outcome in India.
Which Countries Lead the Rule of Law Index 2026?
- According to the World Justice Project’s global findings, Denmark ranked first, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg.
- The report also identifies a continuing global decline in rule-of-law performance. Scores fell in 62% of the countries and jurisdictions assessed in 2026.
- The findings highlight challenges involving institutional accountability, civic participation, fundamental freedoms and access to justice across multiple regions.
Source: World Justice Project, Rule of Law Index 2026.