IELTS Exam Fees Structure for 2026: Registration, Cancelation, & Rescheduling Fees

The IELTS exam fee in India is officially INR 19,000 for all Academic and General Training tests. This standardized rate applies to both computer-delivered and pen-and-paper formats. Candidates booking for IELTS UKVI will pay a slightly higher fee of INR 19,250.

The standard IELTS test fee in India 2026 is INR 19,000. The cost of the IELTS exam is the same whether you choose the IELTS Academic (for university) or the IELTS General Training (for work or migration). It also costs the same whether you take the test on a computer or on paper. Earlier, IELTS exam fees in India were INR 18,000. So, candidates planning to register for the IELTS exam must not get confused about the cost of the exam. 

The IELTS exam fee is set in accordance with every market’s local currency, so it varies from country to country. Also, candidates can pay the IELTS test fee in their local currency without the need to go for foreign currency exchange.

In this article, we will inform you about the IELTS exam fees 2026 in India. Apart from the IELTS test fee, we will also inform you about the IELTS cancellation fee, the IELTS rescheduling fee, and all other types of costs related to the IELTS exam. 

What is the IELTS Exam Fee in India for 2026?

The standard cost of the IELTS test in India for 2026 is INR 19,000. This fee is same for the paper-based test and the computer-delivered version. However, specialized versions of the test like IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills have different price due to specific security and monitoring requirements by the UK Home Office.

(Source: IDP India)

Types of IELTS Exams and Their Fees 2026

Many students get confused because there are different types of IELTS exams. You must choose the right one based on your visa requirements. Here is the simple list of IELTS test types and how much they cost in 2026.

1. IELTS Academic & General Training

• Fee: INR 19,000

• Who is it for?

  • IELTS Academic: This is for students who want to go for higher education (university or college) in countries like Canada, the USA, Australia, etc.

  • IELTS General Training: This is for people going for a work visa or PR (Permanent Residence).

• Note: The price is the same for Computer-delivered and Pen and paper based test.

2. IELTS for UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration)

• Fee: INR 19,250

• Who is it for?

  • If you are applying for a UK Student Visa or work visa, the UK government often asks for this specific test.

  • It is the same as normal IELTS in content, but the security is higher, and it is recorded on video.

3. IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)

• Fee: INR 18,000

• Who is it for?

  • This is a shorter test, only for Speaking and Listening.

  • It is used for a spouse visa or a family visa in the UK.

4. IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

• Fee: INR 12,650

• Who is it for?

  • If you failed in just one subject (like Writing or Reading), you don't need to give the full exam again.

  • You can just book One Skill Retake to improve your score in that single module.

Since the exam fee is high, it is better to prepare well using a free IELTS mock test to reduce the chances of retaking the exam.

City-Wise IELTS Registration Fees

The IELTS exam fee is standardized across India. Regardless of the city or test center provider (IDP), you will pay the same amount. There are no regional surcharges for taking the test in major metros versus tier-2 cities. The IELTS 2026 fees have increased to INR 19,000.

For candidates looking for test centres nearby to take the IELTS exam, check the IELTS Test Centres in India to find a centre near you.

IELTS Exam Fee Payment Mode

There are different methods through which the candidate can pay and register for the IELTS. Candidates can register through online or offline methods. Further, the payment mode for the IELTS test fee depends on the method you select to register for the IELTS. The following are the payment methods offered by IDP India for IELTS test registration. 

Online payment: Candidates opting for the payment of IELTS exam fees through online payment can pay the IELTS exam fee through net banking, credit, or debit card while registering for the IELTS online.

Bank deposit: Applicants who choose to register for the IELTS offline can pay the IELTS exam fees through bank deposits. The candidate can download the bank deposit slip from the official IELTS IDP India website. Also, they can obtain this slip from their nearest IDP India branch office.

After getting the slip, candidates need to deposit the IELTS exam fee (in cash) at any ICICI / HDFC branch. Candidates need to attach a copy of their slip while submitting the IELTS application form at the IDP branch office.

Demand draft: Applicants can also register for the IELTS and pay through a demand draft in favour of "IDP EDUCATION INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, Payable at New Delhi". Candidates are required to make the demand draft payment only from the banks approved by the IDP. You can get the list of approved banks on IDP Education India's official website.

After registration, learn how to select your preferred test date and time by reading our article on IELTS Slot Booking.

Can I pay the IELTS fee in installments?

No, the IELTS exam fee of INR 19,000 must be paid in full at the time of registration. Your slot will only be confirmed once the total payment is processed via credit card, debit card, net banking, or bank deposit.

Is the fee different for IELTS on Computer vs Paper?

No. In 2026, the fee for IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Paper is identical at INR 19,000. The choice of format depends entirely on your comfort level with typing versus writing by hand.

IELTS Cancellation Fees

For any reason, if you want to cancel your IELTS appointment, then there are certain criteria that you need to fulfil to receive a refund for cancelling the IELTS exam. However, you need to pay cancellation fees for cancelling the IELTS test.

If you plan to cancel your IELTS test, it is important to understand the refund rules. The IELTS cancellation policy in India depends on how early you request the cancellation. The earlier you cancel your IELTS booking, the higher the refund you receive. The table below explains the IELTS refund amount clearly.

IELTS Cancellation & Refund Policy (India)

Candidates can request IELTS cancellation and refund through their login account or by submitting the cancellation form to the test centre.

If you cancel early, you get a higher refund. The refund is usually processed within 7 to 10 working days.

Important: For minor candidates, if valid ID proof of a parent or guardian is not submitted before the test, they cannot appear for the IELTS exam. In such cases, 75% of the IELTS fee will be refunded.

IELTS Rescheduling Fees

The rescheduling fees for IELTS in India are INR 4,750.

• Those who reschedule the IELTS exam date at least five weeks before the booked test date can get a fee after deducting the administrative fee.
• If applicants reschedule or cancel their IELTS exam within five weeks of the test date, they will be charged a full fee unless they have a serious medical reason.
• Applicants who provide a medical certificate within five days of the test date can receive a refund minus the local administrative fee.

You will not receive any refund or any rescheduling option if you fail to take the IELTS test on the second date. One should check the table below to know the details of rescheduling or transfer fees for IELTS exam:

IELTS Exam Rescheduling Fee

IELTS Rechecking Fees

Test takers who are not satisfied with their IELTS results can go for a recheck of their IELTS scores. However, they need to pay the IELTS rechecking fee to avail of this facility. The IELTS rechecking fee in India is INR 14,250. Test takers need to submit the 'Enquiry on Results Form' (EOR Form) to send the re-marking request. Test takers have the option to select either one part of the IELTS test or more parts of the IELTS exam for remarking. The test taker will receive a full refund if his result is changed to a higher band score.

Administrative charges for EOR application in India:

IELTS Test Fee for Additional TRF

With IELTS Registration, test-takers receive 5 electronic TRF (Test Report Form) for free. However, if they want to send the IELTS score to more universities abroad, then they need to pay an additional IELTS exam TRF fee. Candidates can apply for electronic reporting up to a maximum of 5 universities in one day. If you want to send your score to more universities, then you need to log in the next day.

The additional TRF can be sent in three ways:

• Courier: Aspirants need to pay an additional fee of Rs 1500 for every address. IELTS scores are delivered in almost 4 days through courier, and a tracking number is provided to the candidates.
• Airmail: Aspirants need to pay a fee of Rs 250 for every address. However, it can take up to two weeks for your scores to be reached. A tracking number is not provided while sending additional TRF through airmail
• Electronic: Candidates need to pay Rs 350 for every university to which they send a score. However, this can only be given to universities that have opted for the electronic download of IELTS scores. 

To send additional TRFs to universities after one month of taking the test, the aspirant needs to complete the 'Application for the Issue of Additional TRFs'. They need to pay an extra fee for each additional TRF apart from the regular courier fees. Any other person authorized by the aspirant can also collect the test report form. You need to complete the TRFs-Payment Authorization Form and return it with the 'Application for the Issue of Additional TRFs' to the IELTS test centre in your city. One can gain insights into the test format by reading about the IELTS Exam Pattern.

Note: IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Exam Fees in India (2026)

While the IELTS fee is INR 19,000, it is helpful to compare it with other English proficiency tests. The TOEFL iBT fee is approximately INR 18,000, and the PTE Academic fee is INR 18,900. While the costs are competitive, IELTS remains the most widely accepted test for both study and migration purposes across the Commonwealth.

IELTS Exam Fee in India FAQs