IELTS Exam Fee in India - Complete detail for 2026

IELTS Exam Fee in India - Complete Detail For 2026

Published By : Admin

January 20, 2026

Want to study abroad but yet not sure about the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)? Well, it is one of the mandatory English proficiency tests to get the entry in entrance exams and further admission globally. And, students need to pass and get the required scores and every student applying from India should know the process. In this blog, we shall be covering all the details on the IELTS exam fee in India, payment methods, refund rules, cancellation and other value-added costs.

What’s New for students in India - IELTS Exam Fee structure 2026

City-wise variable fees: Students need to pay almost the same IELTS exam fee in India, applicable for metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Yearly annual fees for Academic & General Training: As per the updates available on the official IDP or British Council website annual fees may vary every year.

Almost same fee structure for Computer-Based and Paper-Based Fees: Any candidate choosing between the computer-based and paper-based IELTS exams can check the fee details (usually, INR 18,000 for both.

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Why IELTS Matters and How Band Scores Are Evaluated?

IELTS has a very smooth pattern for the English proficiency test for any students applying either from India or globally. And, it opens up the door to take the academic courses entrance across UK, Canada, New Zealand, and many others. Students usually can opt for 3 types of exam patterns like computer-based, paper-based and online tests, as per their preferences and there will not be any much fee variation.

IELTS is organized and managed by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge Assessment English. And, it evaluates the candidates on their proficiency over the English listening, writing, reading and speaking. And, once the students get a good score that falls usually between

IELTS - Complete Score Guide 2026
Eligibility - IELTS Band Score	Required Skill Level	Level of Study Accepted	Description
5.0 – 5.5	Modest User	Applicable to all Diploma Courses	This is Basic understanding level of English
6	Competent User	Applicable to Undergraduate Studies/ courses	Students are considered to have a fluency of English
6.5	Competent to Good User	Usually covers Undergraduate & Postgraduate Study	Generally strong English with occasional inaccuracies
7	Good User	Applicable for all programs in Undergraduate & Postgraduate Study	Considered great English proficiency command
7.5	Very Good User	Postgraduate & Professional Courses	High level of understanding and fluency (listening, reading, writing, speaking)
8.0 – 9.0	Expert User	Top Universities & Research Programs	experts on English language (listening, reading, writing, speaking)

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Updated info - IELTS Exam Fee in India

Here is a 2026 update info on all the city wise fee structures under IELTS exam in India that depend on the test type chosen.

City-wise info	IELTS Academic & General Training	IELTS for UKVI	IELTS Life Skills (A1 & B1)	Computer-Based IELTS Test
Delhi	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Mumbai	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Bangalore	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Chennai	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Hyderabad	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Pune	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Kolkata	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Ahmedabad	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Chandigarh	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Jaipur	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Kochi	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000
Lucknow	18,000	18,250	17,000	17,000

Important Note: Although, these are the listed structure of IELTS test fee India and all these may vary as per the new guidelines. However, students in India can get the correct info over the official IDP or British Council website.

For Indian IELTS official website: https://ieltsidpindia.com/

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What Are the Types of IELTS Exams with Its Exam Duration?

Name of IELTS Exam Type	Purpose of Application	Time Duration
IELTS Academic	For enrolment of undergraduate or postgraduate level courses	2 hours 45 minutes
IELTS General Training	For getting Work opportunities, migration, or training	2 hours 45 minutes
IELTS for UKVI (Applicable for both the Academic & General)	Anyone eligible to get a UK visa and immigration	2 hours 45 minutes
IELTS Life Skills A1	Usually for getting family/ spouse UK visa	16–18 minutes
IELTS Life Skills B1	For final settlement/citizenship in UK visa	22 minutes
Computer-based IELTS	For the enrolment in Academic or General (computer format)	2 hours 45 minutes
Online IELTS (Academic only)	Study abroad from home	2 hours 45 minutes

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What are the Acceptable Payment Modes for the IELTS Exam in India?

Students once go through the official Indian or global IELTS portal, can get the exam fee in India options and also their preferred mode of payments.

Here are some of the listed payment methods can they can select while exam application:

Debit Card
Credit Card
Net Banking
UPI/ Mobile payment apps
Demand Draft/ Bank deposits
Cheques are not accepted by any means

As, all the IELTS test fee India payment methods are accepted and only applicable during their final online registration at authorized test centres.

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What is the IELTS Cancellation and Refund Policy in India?

Yes, it is possible that there can be any situations in future where the cancellation is required. Additionally, the cancellation can happen either from the applicants or due to natural calamities and the government notices. So, here are some of the deductions possible on overall fees for the IELTS.

Here are some of the IELTS cancellation or refund policy applicable for the Indian students:

Cancellation Timing	Refund / Transfer Policy	Deduction Percentage	Conditions Applied
If, Cancellation – >14 days before test	Candidates are eligible for refund	75% of total fee	Only 25% of admin fee deduction
If, Cancellation – 14 to 2 days before test	Candidates are eligible for refund	50% of total fee	As per the standard cancellation policy
If, Cancellation – within 2 days of test	Eligible for refund	25% of total fee	High deduction due to late cancellation
If, Cancellation – on test day / after test	Not eligible	0%	No refund expects the exceptional circumstances only after approved
If, Transfer – >14 days before test	Yes, Allowed	booking can be transferred once	New date within 3 months; up to 25% admin fee
If, Transfer – within 14 days	Not allowed	considered as cancellation	Refund as per standard cancellation policy
Other unexpected circumstances – Test Taker	Eligible for full refund with less admin fee	Up to 75% deduction	Only Serious medical conditions, bereavement, trauma, military service. Needs to submit case within 5 days after test; test center responds within 7 working days
In case, Test Centre is Cancelling – Force Majeure	Full refund or transfer	100%	Cancellation due to any natural calamity civil unrest, or any official government notice given
In case, Test Centre Cancelling – Within Control	Full Refund or transfer + possible compensation	100% + expenses	Compensation limited to non-recoverable travel/accommodation; must provide receipts; only reasonable expenses covered
Other Exceptional Compensation Conditions	Null	Null	Travel beyond nearest test centre not eligible; benchmarked against lowest reasonable market rates; only verified expenses reimbursed

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What are the IELTS Rescheduling Fees and Additional Costs in India?

Pattern Category	Changes Details	Rescheduling Applicable Fees	Important Requirements
IELTS Rescheduling	Change of test date	25% of IELTS exam fee	Make the request at least 5 weeks before the test date
Medical Exception (Rescheduling)	Test date transfer	Full transfer possible	Mandatory medical documents upload
Extra Test Report Forms (TRFs)	First 5 TRFs	Free	Sent to institutions/universities
Additional TRFs	Beyond first 5	250 – 500 per institution	Cost may vary by delivery method
Revaluation (Enquiry on Results)	Score rechecking	12,000 – 13,000	Fee refunded if band score increases
Preparation Costs	Coaching institutes	10,000 – 30,000	as applicable
Preparation Costs	Online mock tests	1,000 – 3,000	as applicable
Preparation Costs	Books & study material	1,500 – 4,000	One-time purchase

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the process to know the new IELTS exam fee for 2026 in Indian cities?

Any applicant who wants to study abroad or needs a VISA for working, settlement or citizenship needs to go through the IELTS test that is organized each year. And the updated IELTS cost in India details are available on the official portal that is approximate fee ranges between ?17,000-?18200 for both Academic and General Training tests.

2. Is refund possible in case of future exam cancellation on the IELTS test?

Yes, any applicant can receive the cancellation refund, however it depends on the cancellation reasons. And, the fees can be deducted as per the applicable charge that is partial refund; if it is applied within 5 weeks before the exam date.

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3. What is the price difference for IELTS computer and paper-based exams in India?

Besides exam format, price stays identical across IELTS computer and paper exams.

4. Are there any extra IELTS costs in India if I retake the test?

Yes, for reappearance in IELTS exam patterns any Indian candidates have to pay exam costs accordingly and he/she can find the details in the official website of IELTS.

5. What are the different test segments and duration for the IELTS exam 2026?

The IELTS test carries separate English tests for listening, reading, speaking and writing. And, the overall time duration covers two hours and forty-five minutes.

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IELTS Exam Fee in India - Complete Detail For 2026