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How to Book the IELTS Exam in India (2026)

In India, you book IELTS with IDP, which runs every IELTS test in the country. Register on IDP’s website with your valid passport, choose Academic, General Training or IELTS for UKVI, pick a city, centre and date, and pay the fee. IDP lists the 2026 fee for IELTS Academic and General Training as ₹19,000. Bring the same original passport on test day.

Last updated: 13 October 2026 · Written by the PrepEve team

Who to book with

IDP (runs all IELTS tests in India)

Fee (2026)

₹19,000 for Academic or General Training; ₹19,250 for IELTS on Computer for UKVI

Document

Valid passport, to book and on test day

Transfers or cancellations

Request at least 5 weeks before the test date

Results

Usually within a few days for IELTS on computer

Before you book: three decisions

Most booking problems start before the booking form. Settle these three things first, because you cannot change the test type once you have sat it.

1. Which IELTS test do you need?

If you are not sure, check the official page of the organisation you are applying to. It will name the exact test it accepts. Booking General Training for a university that wants Academic means paying for a second test.

2. Are you ready to sit it?

Take at least one full, timed practice test under exam conditions before you pay. If your practice scores are not yet at your target in every skill, book a date that gives you enough weeks to close the gap. A test booked too early is the most common way people end up paying the fee twice.

3. What is your deadline?

Work backwards from the date your result is needed: a university application, a visa lodgement or an Express Entry profile. Leave time for the result to arrive, and ideally for one retake in case a single skill falls short.

How to book IELTS: step by step

1. Check your passport. You need a valid passport to register in India. Make sure it will still be valid on your test day, and enter your name exactly as it appears on it.
2. Go to IDP’s booking site. Register online at ieltsidpindia.com. IDP also accepts bookings at its branches if you prefer to book in person.
3. Choose the test and format. Select Academic, General Training or IELTS for UKVI. Check which formats your centre offers: IDP India now promotes IELTS on computer, and some of its pages say the paper test has been discontinued.
4. Pick your city, centre and date. IDP runs test centres in cities across India. Popular dates and weekend slots fill up first, so book early if you need a specific date.
5. Upload your passport copy and fill in your details. Your details appear on your result, so check spellings, date of birth and passport number carefully before you submit.
6. Pay the fee. Pay online by debit card, credit card or net banking. Keep the payment confirmation.
7. Check your confirmation email. It shows your test date, reporting time and venue. Confirm your Speaking slot: depending on the centre, Speaking can be on the same day as the other three parts or on a different day close to it.

If you need special arrangements because of a disability or medical condition, tell IDP when you book, so the centre has time to arrange it.

IELTS exam fee in India (2026)

IDP says its fees can change, so check the current amount on its booking page before you pay. The exam fee is paid to IDP and is separate from any coaching fee.

IELTS on computer or on paper?

The questions, timing and scoring are the same in both formats. The differences are practical:

• On computer you type your Writing answers and read on screen. Results usually come faster, within a few days.
• On paper you write by hand. Where it is still offered, results take longer.
• The Speaking test is a conversation with an examiner in both formats.

If you type quickly and are comfortable reading on screen, computer is usually the easier choice. If your handwriting is fast and clear and you prefer paper, check whether your centre still offers it.

What to bring and expect on test day

• Your original passport. It must be the same passport you used to book. Without it you will be refused entry.
• Arrive early. Your confirmation email gives the reporting time. Check-in includes identity checks and a photo.
• Personal items such as phones and bags are not allowed in the test room. The centre will tell you where to leave them.
• Listening, Reading and Writing are taken together, with no breaks between them. Speaking is separate and takes 11–14 minutes.

Changing or cancelling your test date

IDP India’s rules ask for transfer or cancellation requests at least 5 weeks before your test date, and a charge applies. Inside 5 weeks, you generally cannot transfer or get a refund, except in serious cases such as a documented medical emergency. The exact charges differ between IDP documents, so check the current terms before you book.

When should you book?

• Book once your timed practice tests are consistently at your target in every skill.
• Leave room for one retake before your deadline. IDP also offers a One Skill Retake, for IELTS on computer, if just one section falls short.
• Allow for result time, and for any extra days the organisation needs to verify your result.

Common booking mistakes

• Booking Academic when you need General Training for Canada PR, or the other way round.
• A name, date of birth or passport number that does not match the passport exactly.
• A passport that expires before the test date.
• Booking regular IELTS when your UK visa route needs IELTS for UKVI.
• Choosing a date that leaves no time for a retake before your deadline.

Booking checklist

1. Confirm which test your university, employer or visa needs.
2. Check your passport is valid on the test date.
3. Take a full timed practice test and compare with your target.
4. Choose the format, city, centre and date.
5. Enter your details exactly as on your passport, and pay.
6. Save the confirmation email and note your Speaking slot.

Official sources

• IELTS exam registration (IDP IELTS India)
• IELTS exam fee in India 2026 (IDP IELTS India)
• IELTS test dates in India (IDP IELTS India)
• Help with booking and managing your test (IDP IELTS India)
• IELTS on computer (IDP IELTS India)
• IELTS terms and conditions, including transfers and cancellations (IDP IELTS India)

Rules and scores change. Check the official pages above before you book a test or apply.

Frequently asked questions

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