| Updated On - Mar 12, 2026
The IELTS exam fee in India will increase to INR 19,000 starting from April 1, 2026. You can book a test at the current fee of INR 18,000 until March 31, 2026. If you are planning to take the IELTS in the coming month, register early to avoid the increased test fees.
IELTS Exam Fee Increases From April 1, 2026
Candidates planning to take the IELTS on or after April 1, 2026, will now be required to pay higher fees. As per the official IDP IELTS India website, the test fee will now increase to INR 19,000 from the current INR 18,000.
The current IELTS exam fee is INR 18,000 for both IELTS Academic (for university applications and student visas) and General Training (for visas other than student visas). The fees for the UKVI IELTS (for UK visas and immigration) remain the same at INR 18,250 for the Academic and General modules and INR 17,000 for the Life Skills (for UK family, spouse visas, etc.) tests.
If you are planning to take the IELTS anytime soon, you must register early to avoid paying the higher cost.
Note: The new fees applies only to the Academic and General Training modules of the regular IELTS; It does not apply to the UKVI IELTS tests.
IELTS Exam Fees in India (Before April 1, 2026)
The current IELTS exam fee, as per the official IDP IELTS India website, is given in the table below:
| IELTS Test Type | Purpose | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | For university admissions and student visas. | INR 18,000 |
| IELTS General Training | For work, migration, or PR. | INR 18,000 |
| IELTS for UKVI | For UK visa and immigration applications. Consists of both Academic and General modules. | INR 18,250 |
| IELTS Life Skills (A1, A2, B1) | For UK family, spouse visas, citizenship, etc. | INR 17,000 |
IELTS Test Dates in March 2026
To avoid the increased fee, you can take the IELTS in March. Check the IELTS test dates for March below:
Note: The calendar above is for the IDP IELTS Nehru Place, New Delhi test center. You can take the availability for your preferred test center from the IELTS Scheduler tool, and book accordingly.
How to Book an IELTS Test?
To book an IELTS test, check out the steps below:
- Visit the official IDP IELTS website.
- Click ‘Book Now’.
- Choose test type (Academic or General Training).
- Select location, test center, date, and time slot.
- Fill out your details.
- Pay the fee via credit card, debit card, or net banking.
- You’ll receive an email or SMS confirming your booking.
| If you are planning to take the IELTS soon, check out the articles below to help you prepare: | ||
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Syllabus | IELTS Sample Papers 2026 | Best IELTS Preparation Apps |
IELTS is a widely accepted English language test for people who want to study, work, or migrate to countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Every year, many students from India take this exam as part of their study abroad application process.
Education experts suggest that students planning to apply for the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 intake should book their IELTS test early. This can help them avoid the higher fee and get their preferred test dates.
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