Guide · Last updated 22 September 2026
IELTS Exam Fee in India (2026)
What each IELTS test type costs in rupees after the April 2026 revision, what the fee does and does not include, how to pay IDP, and how not to pay it twice.
How much is the IELTS exam fee in India?
As of 22 September 2026, these are the fees IDP charges at every IELTS test centre in India. The Academic and General Training fee rose from ₹18,000 to ₹19,000 on 1 April 2026, so any page still quoting ₹18,000 is out of date.
| Test type | Fee (INR) | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (on computer, or Writing on Paper) | ₹19,000 | University admission, professional registration |
| IELTS General Training (on computer, or Writing on Paper) | ₹19,000 | Migration, work visas |
| IELTS for UKVI (Academic / GT, on computer) | ₹19,250 | UK visa and immigration routes |
| IELTS Life Skills (A1 / B1) | ₹18,000 | UK family and settlement visas |
| One Skill Retake | ₹12,650 | Resitting one section within 60 days |
Checked against IDP India's published fee page on 22 September 2026. We re-check this table every month. If the official page and this table ever disagree, the official page wins, so confirm the figure in the booking portal before you pay.
What other charges can come up?
The ₹19,000 is the whole test fee. These are the charges that appear only if something goes wrong, and it is worth knowing them before you book a date you are not sure of:
| Charge | Amount (INR) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Rescheduling | ₹3,200 to ₹4,850 | Moving your test date, the amount depends on the test type |
| Enquiry on Results (re-mark) | ₹9,450 to ₹14,400 | Refunded if your band changes after the re-mark |
| Extra Test Report Forms | Usually free | Electronic copies go to most recognising organisations at no charge |
| Bank charges | Set by your bank | Some cards add a small transaction fee on top of ₹19,000 |
How do I pay the IELTS fee to IDP?
Payment is the last step of IDP's online booking: choose the test type, then IELTS on Computer or Writing on Paper, then a city and a date, and the portal takes credit and debit cards or net banking. If you prefer not to pay online, IDP offices also accept a demand draft or a bank deposit. A few details catch candidates out:
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Identity document | Only a valid passport is accepted in India, at booking and on test day. No Aadhaar, PAN or licence. |
| Name on the booking | It must match the passport letter for letter, or you are turned away and the fee is lost. |
| Fee at booking, not at test | You pay the fee in force on the day you book. Candidates who booked before 31 March 2026 kept the old ₹18,000 for tests later in the year. |
| Proof of payment | Keep the payment confirmation and booking reference; you may be asked for them. |
Is the British Council still an option in India?
No. Since 2021 IDP is the only IELTS provider in India, running sessions in more than 75 cities. The test itself is identical to the one the British Council delivers in other countries: the same papers, the same examiners' training, the same band descriptors. If you are used to comparing the two, as candidates in Bangladesh or Pakistan still do, the only decision left in India is which city and date.
When do results come out?
IDP India releases IELTS on Computer results within 1 to 2 days, among the fastest anywhere. If you chose Writing on Paper, results take 7 days. Either way you preview the band in the candidate portal and download an electronic Test Report Form within about 2 working days; couriered paper copies may cost extra.
How do I avoid paying ₹19,000 twice?
Only book when your practice band already meets your target. The most common ₹19,000 mistake in India is booking on hope: a candidate needing 7.0 for a Canadian or Australian application books at a practice level of 6.0, falls short by half a band, and pays again. Take full mock tests until your score is stable at or above target. If a single section underperforms on test day, a One Skill Retake at ₹12,650 within 60 days is cheaper than a full resit, provided the organisation you are applying to accepts it. Ask them first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the IELTS exam cost in India in 2026?
Since 1 April 2026 the IELTS Academic and General Training fee in India is ₹19,000, whether you take the whole test on computer or choose Writing on Paper. It was ₹18,000 before that. IELTS for UKVI is ₹19,250, IELTS Life Skills (A1 or B1) is ₹18,000, and a One Skill Retake is ₹12,650.
Is the fee different in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore or a smaller city?
No. IDP charges the same fee at every test centre in India, from Delhi and Mumbai to the tier-2 and tier-3 cities where it runs sessions. What changes between cities is how often dates are offered and how quickly they fill, not the price.
Can I still book IELTS with the British Council in India?
No. The British Council handed its Indian IELTS operations to IDP in 2021, so IDP is the only IELTS provider in India. The test, the examiners and the scoring are the same ones used by the British Council everywhere else, so nothing is lost.
Which ID do I need to register and sit the test in India?
A valid passport. It is the only identity document IDP India accepts, both when you book and on test day, and the name on your booking must match it exactly. An Aadhaar card, PAN card or driving licence will not get you into the room.
How do I pay the IELTS fee to IDP?
Online, with a credit or debit card or through net banking, as the last step of the booking. If you would rather not pay online, IDP also accepts a demand draft or a bank deposit through its offices. Your bank may add its own transaction charge on card payments.
When will I get my IELTS result in India?
For IELTS on Computer, IDP India releases results within 1 to 2 days of the test. If you chose Writing on Paper, results take 7 days. You preview the score in the candidate portal and download an electronic Test Report Form within about 2 working days.
Is there a cheaper way to fix one weak section than sitting the whole test again?
Yes, in most cases. One Skill Retake lets you resit a single section within 60 days of your original test for ₹12,650, about two thirds of the full fee. Check that the university or immigration body you are applying to accepts a One Skill Retake result before you pay for it. And before either, practise until your mock band is stable at target: a month of unlimited AI-scored practice costs around 3% of one ₹19,000 fee.
Make sure you only pay this fee once
Practise free until your mock band matches your target. Then book with confidence.
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