IELTS Exam Fee in India (2026): Full Price Table
By Aehtesham Mallick Reshad · IELTS Content & Preparation Lead at IELTSbiz · Updated August 2026
In short
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test in India costs ₹19,000 (about US$225) as of August 2026, at both IDP (sole provider). Fees are set locally and change over time, so confirm the current amount on the official booking page before you pay.
IELTS fees in India by test type
| Test type | Fee (INR (₹)) |
|---|---|
| Academic / General Training | ₹19,000 · about US$225 |
| IELTS for UKVI | ₹19,250 |
| IELTS Life Skills | ₹18,000 |
| One Skill Retake | ₹12,650 |
Test providers
IDP (sole provider)
Delivery
Computer only (paper retired Aug 2026)
One Skill Retake
Available
Results
3–5 days (computer)
Widely available in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune.
Always confirm the current fee
The standard fee rose to ₹19,000 from 1 April 2026. IDP has been the sole IELTS delivery partner in India since 2021, when it bought the British Council's Indian IELTS business, so there is no second provider to compare prices against. IDP has also announced that IELTS in India is fully computer-delivered from September 2026 — the last IELTS on Paper dates were reported as 25 July, 6 August and 22 August 2026. IELTS fees are set locally by the British Council and IDP and can change, so the figures above (verified August 2026) are a guide — the only reliable amount is the one shown on the official booking page for your test type on the day you book.
The cheapest test is the one you sit once
Whatever the fee, it buys one attempt — so the smartest money is spent walking in already at your target band. Work out the exact section scores you need, then close the gap before test day rather than paying to sit again. And if you fall half a band short in a single skill on a computer-delivered test, the One Skill Retake is usually far cheaper than a full resit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the IELTS exam cost in India in 2026?
The standard IELTS Academic or General Training test costs ₹19,000 (as of April 2026). IELTS for UKVI is ₹19,250, IELTS Life Skills ₹18,000, and the One Skill Retake ₹12,650. Confirm the current fee on the official IDP booking page before you pay.
Is the IELTS fee the same at the British Council and IDP in India?
The question no longer applies in India. The British Council sold its Indian IELTS business to IDP in 2021, and since 25 July 2021 IDP has been the sole IELTS test delivery partner in the country, so there is a single national fee and no provider to compare it against. Outside India, both organisations still deliver IELTS.
Is paper-based IELTS still available in India?
Not for new bookings. IDP announced that IELTS in India moves fully computer-delivered from September 2026, with the final IELTS on Paper sittings reported as 25 July, 6 August and 22 August 2026. If you want to handwrite the essay, look for the IELTS on Computer (Writing on Paper) hybrid, offered at selected centres.