IELTS Test Booking 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

IELTS Test Booking 2026: Step-by-step Guide

Anisha Agarwal logo

Anisha Agarwal

| Updated On - Dec 6, 2025

What's New?

  • Fees: IELTS Registration can be done from the IDP official website by paying ₹18,000.
  • Offline Registration: To register for IELTS offline, you need to visit a nearby IDP office, or you can complete the registration by courier.
  • Payment Mode: The payment can be made via credit or debit cards, net banking, demand drafts, or cash deposits.
  • Rescheduling: To change your test date, you need to submit a request at least 5 weeks before your exam date. To reschedule you need to pay a fee of ₹4,250.

The IELTS test booking can be done both online and offline. For IELTS online test booking, you will be required to provide your details, select your test type, preferred test date, center, and slot. There is no strict eligibility requirement for taking the exam. The only requirement is a valid passport, which you have to upload during registration. To book the IELTS exam offline, you will have to visit a nearby IDP branch.

There are around 22-24 available IELTS exam dates in a year for the computer-based test, and 4 for the paper-based test. The IELTS exam fee in India in 2026 is ₹18,000 for both Academic and General Training tests. The computer-based tests are available in 3 slots of morning, afternoon, and evening, providing flexibility for test-takers. This article will guide you through the steps involved in IELTS exam booking 2026.


IELTS Online Test Booking 2026

IELTS online test booking is the most preferred way, as it is convenient and quick. To complete the registration, you will need to provide your details, select your test type, preferred test center, date, and slot, and then make the payment to confirm. Once your IELTS test date is confirmed, you will receive an email or SMS confirming your registration.

Follow the steps below to successfully book an IELTS test online.

Step 1: Visit the official IDP IELTS India website (www.ieltsidpindia.com). Here you will have the options to first create an account, directly book an exam, or check the available dates first.

IELTS Test Booking

Step 2: Select your test format (Computer or Paper), test type (Academic or General), test city, and click on Check Availability.

IELTS Test Booking

Step 3: After you select a city, you will see the IELTS exam calendar. Select your preferred test date and slot. Click on ‘Proceed’.

IELTS Test Booking

Step 4: Provide your personal details, like name, email, mobile number, date of birth, and passport number.

IELTS Test Booking

Step 5: Before making the payment, review your details and correct any mistakes

Step 6: After filling in the details and completing the payment, you'll receive a confirmation receipt at your registered email.


IELTS Test Booking Offline

You can book an IELTS test offline in 2 ways: by visiting an IDP branch or head office, or through a courier. Below is the step-by-step process for offline IELTS test booking.

Register at an IDP Branch or Head Office:

  • Visit any IDP Branch or Head Office.
  • Use the branch computer for test booking online.
  • Pay the exam fee for instant confirmation.
  • Submit a photocopy of your passport.
  • Sign the terms and conditions document.
  • Receive an acknowledgment letter confirming your test seat.

IELTS Test Booking by Courier:

  • Download the application form from the official IDP website or collect it from an IDP branch.
  • Fill out the form and sign the terms and conditions.
  • Submit a photocopy of your passport.
  • Pay the exam fee.
  • Send the completed form, a copy of your passport, and payment to the IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd. Head Office.
  • Below is the IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd. Head Office address:

IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd.

Global Gateway Towers, Tower B, 5th Floor

Sikanderpur Ghosi, Sector-26, M.G. Road

Gurugram - 122002, Haryana, India

Contact: +91-124-4445999


IELTS Exam Fee in India 2026

The examination fee for IELTS is given in the table below.

IELTS Test Type Fee in India 2026 (INR) Test Formats
IELTS Academic ₹18,000 Computer-delivered & Paper-based
IELTS General Training ₹18,000 Computer-delivered & Paper-based
IELTS UKVI ₹18,250 Computer-delivered & Paper-based
IELTS Life Skills (A1 & B1) ₹17,000 Computer-delivered & Paper-based
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) ₹12,000 Computer-delivered only

You can pay the IELTS exam fees online via net banking, UPI, or credit cards, debit cards, or offline through a bank draft payable at ICICI Bank or HDFC Bank.


IELTS Exam Dates in India 2026

IELTS exam dates for the upcoming months in major Indian cities are shown in the table below.

City December 2025 dates January 2026 dates February 2026 dates
Ahmedabad 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28
Bengaluru 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28
Chennai 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28
Gurugram 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28
Kolkata 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28
Mumbai All dates from 8th except 25th All dates except 1st and 26th All dates

Note: Since IDP IELTS test dates vary by city across India, you are advised to book a test at least 2-3 months before your preferred test date.

Check the application deadlines for top study abroad destinations to help you complete your IELTS booking in time.


IELTS Test Centers in India 2026

There are around 75 IDP IELTS test centers in India. Some of them are listed in the table below:

State City Test Center
Karnataka Mangalore IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd.
Karnataka Bangalore IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Kasturba Road
Telangana Hyderabad IDP IELTS, Kukatpally, Begumpet, Jubilee Hills
Delhi Delhi IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Nehru Place
Punjab Amritsar IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Amritsar
Uttar Pradesh Bathinda IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Bathinda
Haryana Jalandhar IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Jalandhar
Chandigarh Ludhiana IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Ludhiana
Andhra Pradesh Patiala IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Patiala
Maharashtra Mumbai IDP IELTS, Andheri East
Gujarat Ahmedabad IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad
Kerala Trivandrum IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Trivandrum
Rajasthan Jaipur IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Jaipur
Madhya Pradesh Bhopal IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Bhopal
West Bengal Kolkata IDP Education India Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata

Booking the IELTS test in 2026 is simple if you follow the right steps. Whether you choose online or offline registration, make sure you pick your preferred date, center, and test type early. As long as you have a valid passport and plan ahead, the entire process becomes smooth and stress-free.


FAQs

Ques. Can I choose my IELTS test date and center?

Ans. Yes, during registration, you can choose your test type, city, date, and slot based on availability shown on the IELTS booking portal.

Ques. Is a passport mandatory for IELTS registration?

Ans. Yes, a valid passport is the only mandatory document for IELTS registration. A scanned copy must be uploaded online or submitted offline.

Ques. When should I book the IELTS test for university admissions in 2026?

Ans. It’s recommended to book your IELTS test at least 2-3 months before your university application deadline to ensure timely results.

Ques. What are the different types of IELTS tests available in 2026?

Ans. In 2025, you can choose from IELTS Academic, General Training, UKVI (Academic/General), Life Skills (A1 & B1), and One Skill Retake (OSR).

Ques. Is there any age or qualification requirement for IELTS?

Ans. There are no strict eligibility criteria. Anyone with a valid passport can register, though it's generally taken by those 16 years and older.

Ques. Can I choose between British and American English in the IELTS test?

Ans. IELTS accepts both British and American English. You can use either in your responses, but you should stay consistent throughout the test.

Ques. What is the One Skill Retake in IELTS?

Ans. The IELTS OSR allows candidates to retake just one section (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) instead of the full test, available for computer-based formats.

Ques. Are there any special accommodations for IELTS test-takers with disabilities?

Ans. Yes, IELTS offers special arrangements like extra time, Braille papers, or a separate room. You must request accommodations in advance during registration.

Ques. Can I change my IELTS test format after booking (e.g., from paper to computer-based)?

Ans. No, once the IELTS test is booked, you cannot change the format. You would need to cancel and rebook, which may involve cancellation fees depending on the timeline.

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