IELTS Registration 2026: How to Book, Fees and Eligibility in India
Key Takeaways
- In India you register for IELTS through IDP IELTS India: online (fastest), in person at an IDP branch or Input Node, or by courier.
- A valid passport is the only ID IDP India asks for, and it runs a 'no passport, no test' policy on test day.
- The fully paper-based IELTS is discontinued in India; you choose IELTS on Computer or IELTS Writing on Paper, both at INR 19,000.
- IELTS has no minimum qualification and no fixed age limit, though IDP India does not generally recommend it for students under 16.
- IDP India's two official pages give different transfer and cancellation rules for the computer and Writing on Paper tests, so confirm yours on your booking.
Table of Contents
In India you register for IELTS with IDP IELTS India: online, which is fastest, in person at an IDP branch or Input Node, or by courier. You need a valid passport, and the fee is INR 19,000 for Academic or General Training, on computer or Writing on Paper. IELTS has no minimum qualification and no fixed minimum age.
The steps, fees and rules on this page come from IDP IELTS India’s own pages on how to register, test fees, transfers and cancellations and eligibility, checked 28 October 2026. British Council also delivers IELTS in India, but its India pages did not load when we checked, so this guide follows IDP India’s process. We re-check it every quarter.
How do I register for IELTS in India?
IDP India offers three ways to book:
- Online, the fastest option. On the IDP IELTS India website, click Register for IELTS, choose your test type, test city and date from the live seat availability, fill in the application form and pay by credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard). You get confirmation on screen and by email. IDP then asks you to courier a photocopy of your passport (first and last page, plus any observation pages) to its head office.
- In person. Walk into an IDP branch, the head office or the nearest Input Node. Staff can book you on the office computer while you pay by card, or you can fill in a paper form and pay by card, Demand Draft or an ICICI cash deposit slip. Either way you hand in a passport photocopy and the signed Terms and Conditions.
- By courier. Fill in and sign the application form and the Terms and Conditions, attach a passport photocopy, and enclose a Demand Draft in favour of “IDP Education India Private Limited, payable at New Delhi” or the original customer copy of an ICICI or HDFC deposit slip. Send it to IDP’s head office in Gurugram. Processing starts once the documents and fee arrive.
If you pay by Demand Draft, your seat is confirmed only after the draft is realised. Seats depend on what is open for your city and date, so book early for popular months. Our guide to IELTS exam dates covers how to find a slot that fits your application deadlines.
What documents do I need for IELTS?
A valid passport is the only identity document IDP India asks for. You give a photocopy when you register and bring the original on test day. IDP India says the passport must be unexpired and legible, and it runs a “no passport, no test” policy: without your original passport you cannot sit the test.
If you are under 18, a valid ID of your parent or legal guardian must also reach IDP India on or before test day. If it does not, you will not be allowed to test, and IDP India refunds 75% of the fee.
Should I take IELTS on computer or Writing on Paper?
IDP India has discontinued the fully paper-based IELTS. You now choose between two formats, both at INR 19,000:
| Format | How it works | Dates and results |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS on Computer | Listening, Reading and Writing on screen; Speaking by video call with a trained examiner | Up to 3 sessions a day, 7 days a week; most results within 2 days |
| IELTS Writing on Paper | Listening and Reading on computer; Writing by hand on paper; Speaking by video call | Fixed test dates; check live seats when you book |
Source: IDP IELTS India test fee, IELTS on Computer and computer-delivered IELTS FAQ pages, checked 28 October 2026. IDP India says the computer test has the same content, scoring, difficulty and question types as the paper test.
How much does IELTS cost in India?
| Test | Fee | Transfer fee |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS on Computer (Academic or General Training) | INR 19,000 | INR 4,750 |
| IELTS Writing on Paper (Academic or General Training) | INR 19,000 | INR 4,750 |
| IELTS on Computer for UKVI | INR 19,250 | INR 4,850 |
| IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) | INR 18,000 | INR 4,500 |
| One Skill Retake (one section only) | INR 12,650 | INR 3,200 |
Source: IDP IELTS India test fee page, checked 28 October 2026. The fee is the same in every Indian city. One Skill Retake re-sits a single section; a full retake costs the full fee again. Our IELTS exam fee guide covers every charge in more detail.
Who is eligible to take IELTS?
Almost anyone. IDP India’s eligibility page sets these rules:
- Qualification: none. Anyone can take IELTS, whatever their educational background.
- Age: no fixed age limit, though IDP India says the test is generally not recommended for students under 16.
- Identity: a valid passport.
- Special arrangements: if you need extra time or a different version of the test, tell the test centre at least six weeks before your test date.
- Minors: a chaperone accompanies test takers under 18 in face-to-face Speaking tests. No chaperone is needed for video-call Speaking.
Eligibility for the test is not the same as the score a university or visa needs. Check the band each of your programmes asks for before you book.
Can I change my test date or cancel my IELTS booking?
Yes, but for IELTS on Computer and Writing on Paper, IDP India’s two official pages give different rules. Confirm the terms on your own booking confirmation before you rely on either:
| IDP India page | Changing your date | Cancelling |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer and cancellation page | Free 15 or more days before the test; a fee of up to 25% within 5 to 14 days; no transfer within 4 days (treated as a cancellation) | 15 or more days before: up to 25% fee charged. Within 14 days: no refund |
| Test fee page | Flat transfer fee of INR 4,750 | Applications at least 9 days before the test; under 9 days, 25% of the fee is charged and the rest refunded in 7 to 10 working days |
Source: IDP IELTS India transfer and cancellation page and test fee page, both checked 28 October 2026.
For IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills, both pages agree: you can transfer more than 14 days before the test, once per booking and to a date within three months, for a fee of up to 25%. A cancellation refunds 75% more than 14 days before the test, 50% between 14 and 2 days before, 25% within 2 days, and nothing on or after test day. Whichever test you take, acting earlier costs less.
How should I prepare before I book?
Pick a date that leaves time for a second attempt before your first deadline. Take our free IELTS mock test to see where you stand, and use the IELTS band calculator to turn your practice scores into an overall band. If you are applying for a degree abroad, our admission counselling team can help you fit your IELTS date into your application timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for IELTS in India?
Through IDP IELTS India: online on its website, which is the fastest way, in person at an IDP branch or Input Node, or by courier with the application form, a passport photocopy and a Demand Draft or bank deposit slip.
What documents do I need to register for IELTS?
A valid passport. You give a photocopy of the first and last pages, plus any observation pages, when you register, and you must bring the original on test day under IDP India’s ‘no passport, no test’ policy.
Can I use Aadhaar or another ID instead of a passport?
IDP India asks test takers to bring only an original, valid passport on test day, and its pages list no other accepted ID.
How much does IELTS cost in India?
INR 19,000 for IELTS Academic or General Training, on computer or Writing on Paper, in every Indian city. IELTS for UKVI costs INR 19,250, IELTS Life Skills INR 18,000 and One Skill Retake INR 12,650, per IDP IELTS India.
Can I still take IELTS on paper in India?
Not in the old format. IDP India has discontinued IELTS on Paper. IELTS Writing on Paper replaces it: Listening and Reading are on computer and only Writing is done by hand.
How soon do I get IELTS on Computer results?
IDP India says most IELTS on Computer results arrive within 2 days of the test.
Is there a minimum qualification for IELTS?
No. IDP India’s eligibility page says IELTS has no minimum educational qualification and anyone can take it, whatever their background.
Is there an age limit for IELTS?
There is no fixed age limit. IDP India says the test is generally not recommended for students under 16, and test takers under 18 need a parent’s or guardian’s valid ID to reach IDP India by test day.
Can I change my IELTS test date?
Yes, but IDP India’s pages differ for the computer and Writing on Paper tests: one says transfers are free 15 or more days ahead, the other lists a flat INR 4,750 transfer fee. Check the terms on your own booking.
Do I get a refund if I cancel IELTS?
Partly, depending on how early you cancel. For IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills, IDP India refunds 75% more than 14 days before the test, 50% between 14 and 2 days, 25% within 2 days, and nothing on or after test day.
How far ahead should I ask for special arrangements?
At least six weeks before your test date, if you need extra time or a different version of the test, according to IDP India.
