IELTS Exam Fee in India 2026: Registration, Cancelation, & Rescheduling Fees
Jointly managed and conducted by Cambridge Assessment English, the British Council, and IDP, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam is your gateway to a world-class education and career opportunities in countries where English is the primary language of communication. This English proficiency test is held multiple times a month across the globe for individuals whose first language is not English but who wish to study, work, or migrate to countries such as the UK, Canada, the US, Australia, and more. Whether your goal is higher education or employment abroad, careful preparation for IELTS is essential, and it begins with understanding the exam fees. Knowing the cost of IELTS is also important for effective budget planning and financial readiness. To help you get a clear picture, we have prepared a detailed breakdown of the IELTS exam fees, registration charges, payment methods, and related costs in India. Here’s everything you need to know.
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IELTS Exam Registration Fee 2026 in Indian Rupees (INR) (All Types of IELTS Exam with Fees)
While preparing for the IELTS exam requires extensive study, hard work, and practice, another challenge faced by Indian students is a lack of awareness about IELTS fees. With multiple IELTS test types available for different purposes, understanding the correct fee for the required IELTS exam has become a common concern for thousands of candidates planning to study or work abroad from India.
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While the fees for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are the same, the UKVI variant of IELTS costs slightly more. Additionally, whether a candidate chooses the paper-based or computer-delivered format for IELTS Academic or General Training, the test fee remains the same. However, IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) is available at a lower cost.
|
IELTS Test Type |
Registration Fee (INR) |
Purpose |
|
IELTS on Computer (Academic & General Training) |
₹18,000 |
To assess English language proficiency for study, work, or migration; results are delivered faster and the test is taken on a computer. |
|
IELTS on Paper (Academic & General Training) |
₹18,000 |
To assess English language proficiency for study, work, or migration; results are on paper and follow the traditional pen-and-paper format. |
|
IELTS for UKVI (Paper & Computer) |
₹18,250 |
Specifically for visa applications to the UK; accepted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for study, work, or settlement. |
|
IELTS Life Skills (A1 & B1) |
₹17,000 |
To test basic English speaking and listening skills for UK visa purposes, at A1 or B1 CEFR levels. |
|
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) |
₹12,000 |
Allows candidates to retake only one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) instead of the whole test. |
Note: IELTS test fees remain the same across all the test centres & cities India
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IELTS Rescheduling and Cancellation Charges in India
The IELTS exam involves a significant cost for applicants, making it essential to plan carefully in order to avoid rescheduling or cancellation fees later. Having accurate information about rescheduling and cancellation charges can help applicants make informed decisions. Although the process of applying for rescheduling or cancellation through the candidate login section on the official IELTS website is simple, it is subject to applicable fees, which may further increase the overall cost for the applicant.
|
IELTS Test Type |
Rescheduling/Transfer Charge (Approx) |
Cancellation Charge & Policy |
|
IELTS on Paper |
₹4,500 |
If cancelled ≥ 9 days before test: ₹4,500 admin fee deducted (≈ 25%); balance refunded. If cancelled < 9 days: No refund. |
|
IELTS on Computer |
₹4,500 |
Same as Paper — cancellation ≥ 9 days before: admin fee deducted; < 9 days: no refund. |
|
IELTS for UKVI (Paper & Computer) |
₹4,550 |
Cancellation usually follows: >14 days before test: 25% deducted; within 14–2 days: 50% deducted; within 2 days: 75% deducted; on/after test: no refund. |
|
IELTS Life Skills (A1 & B1) |
₹4,250 |
Similar layered cancellation policy as UKVI (more refund if done well in advance). |
|
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) |
~₹3,000 |
Cancellation ≥ 4 days before: 25% fee deducted; < 4 days: no refund. |
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IELTS Exam Rechecking or Revaluation Fees
IELTS answer sheets are evaluated by trained professionals, and the checking process is also partially automated, ensuring fair and accurate marking of the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking sections. However, candidates who are not satisfied with their results are allowed to request a re-evaluation of their scores. The re-evaluation option becomes available after the declaration of the final IELTS results. To initiate the process, candidates must submit a rechecking request and pay the applicable fee through the official IELTS website. Below are the rechecking fees for different IELTS exams.
|
IELTS Test Type |
Rechecking Fee (INR) |
|
IELTS on Paper |
₹13,500 |
|
IELTS on Computer |
₹13,500 |
|
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration |
₹13,700 |
|
IELTS on Computer for UKVI |
₹13,700 |
|
IELTS Life Skills (A1 & B1) |
₹12,750 |
|
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) |
₹9,000 |
Note: If your IELTS score increases after rechecking, the full fee is refunded to the applicant.
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IELTS Exam Refund Policy in India 2026
It is quite common for applicants’ plans not to go as expected. A sudden emergency, illness, or personal matter may prevent a candidate from appearing for the IELTS exam at the last moment. In such cases, applicants should be cautious, as the IELTS exam refund is subject to fixed terms and conditions. These include the deduction of cancellation charges ranging from 25% to 100% of the total fee paid. This means that, by complying with the IELTS exam cancellation policy in India, applicants may receive a refund after the applicable charges have been deducted. Outlined below is a detailed breakdown of the IELTS exam refund policy in India for 2026.
|
Situation |
Refund Rule / Policy |
|
IELTS on Paper / IELTS on Computer (Academic & General) |
- Cancellation allowed if requested ≥ 9 days before the test. - 25% fee deduction; remaining amount refunded within ~7–10 working days. |
|
IELTS for UKVI / IELTS Life Skills (A1 & B1)
|
- > 14 days before test: 75% refund of total fee. - 14–2 days before: 50% refund of total fee. - ≤2 days before test: 25% refund of total fee. - On/after test date: No refund |
|
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) |
- Cancellation request ≥ 4 days before test: 25% fee deduction, rest refunded (within ~7–10 working days). - < 4 days before: No refund. |
|
No‑show / Test Day Absence |
If you don’t show up and haven’t cancelled in time: No refund. |
|
Minor Candidate without Valid ID Submitted on Time |
If a minor can’t sit for the test due to missing valid guardian ID: 75% refund of test fee. |
|
Refund Timeline |
Refunds are usually processed within 7–10 working days after approval. |
|
Rechecking (EOR) Refund |
If results improve after rechecking, the rechecking fee is fully refunded (per IELTS policy). |
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IELTS Exam Fee Payment Methods in India
To simplify the IELTS test booking process for applicants, the exam conducting body has introduced safe, simple, and fast payment methods for fee payment, including UPI, Net Banking, and bank debit/credit cards along with a few more options. Here is more information.
|
Payment Method |
Description |
|
Online – Credit Card |
Pay instantly using Visa, MasterCard, Rupay, etc. during online registration. Secure and immediate confirmation. |
|
Online – Debit Card |
Use your bank debit card for fast online payment while booking your test. |
|
Net Banking |
Pay directly from your bank account through the IELTS/IDP payment gateway during online registration. |
|
UPI / Wallet (may be supported) |
Some centres accept UPI or digital wallets during online payment for convenience — check with your test provider. |
|
Demand Draft (DD) |
Offline option: issue a DD payable to IDP EDUCATION INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (payable at New Delhi) and submit it with your application. |
|
Bank Deposit (Offline) |
Deposit the fee in cash at ICICI or HDFC branches using a customized deposit slip from the official IELTS/IDP website and submit proof. |
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IETLS Exam Fee in India Compared to Other English Tests
Whether it is choosing the right country for higher studies or selecting an international company to work with in an English-speaking country, success begins with appearing for and clearing the IELTS exam. Although IELTS is one of the most widely accepted English proficiency tests, other alternatives such as TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are also recognized by top universities and institutions worldwide. Since each test has its own significance, eligibility criteria, and requirements, applicants should always check the immigration policies of the destination country and the admission requirements of the institutions they plan to apply to. To help you understand the differences in terms of fees, we have compiled a comparative list of three commonly accepted English proficiency tests that serve as alternatives to IELTS.
|
English Test |
Approx. Fee in India (2026) |
Key Notes |
|
IELTS (Academic & General) |
₹18,000 |
Widely accepted test; computer or paper‑based. |
|
TOEFL iBT |
~₹18,000 |
Standard TOEFL exam fee; score reports and extra services cost extra. |
|
PTE Academic |
~₹18,000 |
Fully computer‑based with fast results. |
|
Duolingo English Test (DET) |
~₹5,300 |
Cheapest option, fully online, results quickly. |
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Writen By:
Pawan Rawat
Pawan Rawat is a full-stack content writer with expertise in crafting research-based educational blogs and articles, paying close attention to detail. He has mastered the art of creating SEO-optimized content for websites. When he's not working to pay the bills, he spends his time lifting weights at the gym, clicking random photos, reading books, or planning his next adventure.
