India has been ranked 12th among the world’s most dangerous countries for Christians in the newly released World Watch List 2026, with the country recording over 1,600 incidents of Christians being detained, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned during the reporting period - the highest among all nations for this category.
The ranking places India among 15 countries classified under “extreme” levels of persecution, according to the annual report by Open Doors, a global organisation that monitors Christian persecution worldwide. The report, released on 14 January 2026, covers the period from October 2024 to September 2025.
India’s position at 12th place puts it just outside the top 10, following Iran at 10th and Afghanistan at 11th. The country ranks ahead of Saudi Arabia (13th), Myanmar (14th) and Mali (15th).
Of the 4,712 Christians detained, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned globally during the reporting period, more than 1,600 incidents occurred in India, making it the leading country for such cases. India was followed by Bangladesh and Eritrea. The report also identifies India among the top three countries for physical and mental abuse of Christians, including beatings and death threats for faith-related reasons, alongside Nigeria and Pakistan. Violence against Christians in India has reached its highest point since the organisation launched the World Watch List in 1993.
India has witnessed increased pressure on individual Christians and families across the country during the 2026 reporting period, according to the advocacy report. The rise has been attributed to the Hindutva movement, which promotes the belief that all Indians should be Hindus. Christians are increasingly framed as betraying their country and community, making even the quiet practice of faith risky.
India’s Freedom of Religion Acts, commonly known as “anti-conversion” laws, have been enacted in 12 states. Originally intended to regulate religious conversion from Hinduism, the law is increasingly being used to prosecute the Christian minority. In 2025, Jose and Sheeja Pappachan were fined and sentenced to five years in prison, becoming the first Christians convicted under Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law.
The report highlights that recent converts to Christianity are especially targeted. Families, communities and local and national authorities place particular pressure on Christian converts to force them back into their original faith. Female converts can suffer domestic abuse or imprisonment, while local and national governments sometimes prohibit conversion.
The advocacy report cites the case of Kaveri, a woman from Karnataka State who converted to Christianity along with her children. After starting a prayer group in her home, she faced false accusations from Hindutva extremists and was taken to a police station. Following intense opposition, she had to shut down her garment business and relocate with her children.
The World Watch List 2026 revealed that Christian persecution globally has reached unprecedented levels, with 388 million believers facing high levels of discrimination and violence for their faith. This represents an increase of 8 million from last year’s count of 380 million, meaning one in seven Christians worldwide now experiences significant persecution. Of these 388 million, 201 million are women or girls, while 110 million are minors under the age of 15.
North Korea retained its position at the top of the list for the 24th consecutive year, followed by Somalia, Yemen, Sudan and Eritrea. Syria recorded the most dramatic change, jumping from 18th place to sixth, marking the largest single-year increase since the current methodology was established in 2014.
Nigeria remained at seventh place but continued to be the global epicentre of deadly anti-Christian violence. Of the 4,849 Christians killed worldwide for their faith during the reporting period, 3,490 were Nigerian, up from 3,100 the previous year.
Sub-Saharan Africa emerged as a critical concern, with 14 countries on the watch list representing over 721 million people, nearly half of whom are Christian. At least 150 Christians were killed and more than 100 churches destroyed in Burkina Faso alone due to militant Islamist activities.
The complete World Watch List 2026, including detailed country profiles and prayer guides, is available at the Open Doors website.
