IELTS Fees in India 2026: Complete Guide

01-Jan-2026

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a mandatory English proficiency exam for candidates applying to universities, employers, or immigration authorities in English-speaking countries. Because IELTS plays a required role in academic admissions and visa processes, understanding the IELTS exam fees in India becomes a critical part of early planning.

For 2025–2026, the IELTS exam fee in India is ₹18,000 for both the Academic and General Training tests. The fee applies uniformly across paper-based and computer-based formats. Candidates applying for UK visas must take IELTS for UKVI, which carries a slightly higher fee of ₹18,250 due to additional verification requirements. The IELTS Life Skills test, required for certain family and spouse visa categories, costs ₹17,000. These charges cover only the primary test registration.

This guide presents a structured breakdown of IELTS exam fees in India, helping candidates understand costs and plan their registration without uncertainty.

IELTS Exam Fee in India 2026 (By Test Type)

Below is the latest base fee table for IELTS tests in India. These figures reflect the official costs published in 2025.

Base IELTS Fees in India

These numbers represent the standard amount charged before any extras are added. The base fee is uniform across most test centers in India to provide consistency for test takers.

City-wise IELTS Exam Fee in India for 2026

Test centers in different cities may charge slightly different administrative amounts. These differences do not change the official base fee structure, but they may affect the total amount you pay at registration.

Below is an official city-wise IELTS fee table for the most common IELTS test types in India. All fees listed are for base IELTS registration, exclusive of additional services such as rescheduling, cancellations, rechecking, or extra score reports. These figures reflect the latest official updates from test organizers.

Note: All listed cities charge the same base fee for IELTS Academic and General Training tests. Computer-based and paper-based test formats do not affect the city fee. The base cost remains consistent.

IELTS Exam Cancellation, Rescheduling, and Additional Service Fees in India (2026)

Before registering for IELTS, candidates must understand how post-booking changes affect the total exam cost. Cancellation, rescheduling, score rechecking, and extra score reports follow strict rules. These rules affect refunds, processing timelines, and eligibility. This section explains only the necessary and actionable details that directly impact decision-making.

All policies below follow official IELTS and IDP procedures.

IELTS Exam Cancellation Fees and Refund Policy

Cancellation rules depend on the IELTS test type and the number of days remaining before the test date. This policy applies to both Academic and General Training tests. Approval depends on valid documentation and request submission within defined timelines.

Candidates may request cancellation only if the test date is 9 days or more away.

Refunds include applicable taxes after deduction.

Cancellation Policy for IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills

Candidates may submit cancellation requests through the Candidate Login or by submitting the official cancellation form to the test center.

If the request reaches the center at least 14 days before the test date.

• IELTS deducts 25% of the test fee.
• The remaining amount of refunds will be processed within 7 to 10 working days

Minor test takers: If a minor candidate fails to submit a valid parent or guardian identity document before the test day, IELTS does not allow the candidate to sit for the exam. In such cases, IELTS refunds 75% of the test fee.

IELTS Cancellation Fees for One Skill Retake (OSR)

Candidates must submit cancellation requests through the Candidate Login Portal.

The same minor candidate's identity rule applies to OSR.

IELTS Exam Rescheduling and Transfer Fees

Rescheduling allows candidates to move the test date without canceling the exam. Fees depend on the test type.

Rescheduling requests must meet official deadlines. Late requests do not qualify.

IELTS Rechecking Fee (Enquiry on Results - EOR)

Candidates may request a score re-evaluation if results fall short of academic or visa requirements.

Candidates must submit EOR requests within six weeks of the result date. IELTS refunds the fee if scores change.

IELTS Additional Test Report Form (ATRF) Fees

Every IELTS test includes a limited number of free score reports sent directly to institutions.

Electronic delivery remains the preferred option for faster processing.

How to Pay IELTS Fees in India

Paying the IELTS exam fee follows a defined process. Candidates must complete payment before the registration deadline to secure a test seat. Understanding the available payment methods helps avoid delays and booking issues.

IELTS accepts multiple payment options to suit different preferences. Each method follows official security and confirmation standards.

Accepted payment methods include:

• Online Payments: Credit cards, debit cards, and net banking through the official IELTS booking portal.
• Bank Deposit: Direct deposit into the authorized bank account listed during registration.
• Demand draft: Issued in favor of the test organizer and submitted as instructed during booking.

Candidates paying by card should check for foreign transaction charges if the bank processes payments internationally. Using a card with lower overseas fees can reduce the total cost.

Payment must clear before the test registration deadline. Unpaid bookings do not hold a test slot.

Completing payment early reduces booking risks and allows smoother test planning.

Year-to-Year Fee Changes: IELTS exam fees may change over time. Test organizers revise pricing periodically due to operational updates. Candidates must check official fee updates before booking and avoid delaying registration based on older pricing.

Tips to Save Smart on Your IELTS Exam Fees

Planning before booking protects your exam investment. Small decisions can prevent unnecessary charges.

• Confirm your test date carefully: Finalize your availability before registration to avoid cancellation or transfer fees.
• Enroll in IELTS online classes: Online preparation keeps you informed about exam updates, fee changes, and key deadlines while allowing structured preparation from home.

Smart planning supports cost control and smoother exam preparation.

Latest IELTS Updates

• Starting January 8, 2026, the UK is raising the minimum English proficiency required for Skilled Worker Visas and related categories to the equivalent of B2 level on the CEFR scale. This change means that applicants will need stronger English skills than before to obtain visa approval.
• In October 2025, the UK introduced higher English requirements for immigration, asking applicants to show stronger proficiency across all language skills. This change raises score expectations for work and settlement routes, which may lead candidates to plan extra preparation or consider a retake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay part of the IELTS exam fee now and the rest later?

No. You must pay the full IELTS exam fee at the time of booking your test. The booking only becomes valid after the full payment is processed. Any incomplete payment will not secure your exam slot.

Do IELTS exam fees differ on weekends or weekdays?

No. The IELTS exam fee remains the same regardless of whether you schedule your test on a weekday or a weekend. The fee depends only on the test type you choose (Academic, UKVI, Life Skills, etc), not the day of the week.

Does the test center charge extra fees on top of the published IELTS exam fee?

No. Official test centers do not add extra charges beyond the published IELTS exam fee.

How long is the IELTS exam fee valid after payment?

Once you pay the full IELTS exam fee, it is valid only for the selected test date. If you do not take the test or miss the registration deadlines for changes, you may lose the fee according to IELTS's refund and cancellation policies.

Is the IELTS exam fee refundable if the test is canceled by the organizer?

Yes. If the test center or organizer cancels the exam for operational reasons, you will receive a full refund or a free transfer to a new test date without extra charges. This is separate from candidate-initiated cancellation policies.

What happens if I miss the IELTS exam after paying the fee?

If you pay your IELTS exam fee but do not attend the test and do not notify the test center in time, the fee is usually not refundable. Missed tests without proper cancellation result in loss of the fee.

How long does it take to get a refund after cancellation?

If you submit a valid cancellation request within the allowed timeline, the refund (minus applicable fees) typically processes within 7-10 working days.

Are IELTS scores valid after I pay and complete the test?

Yes. Once you complete your IELTS exam after paying the IELTS exam fee, your official score is valid for 2 years from the date of the test.

Is there a limit on how many times I can take the IELTS exam?

There is no limit on how many times you can take the IELTS exam. Each registration requires payment of the full IELTS exam fee.

Can I change my IELTS test type after paying the IELTS exam fee?

No. Once you pay the IELTS exam fee and confirm booking, you cannot switch between test types (e.g, from General Training to Academic or to UKVI) without canceling the original booking and paying a new fee. 

What documents are required to complete payment for the IELTS exam?

To pay the IELTS exam fee, you typically need:

• A valid passport (name must match exam ID)
• A debit/credit card or banking information
• Billing address if paying online

You must upload or present the same ID used for booking at the test center on exam day.

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