IELTS test dates 2026: City-wise test date in India

What is the IELTS exam?

IELTS is a standard assessment to determine the candidate’s level of proficiency in the English language. The exam is accepted as proof of English fluency in several educational institutions and workplaces in countries like the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, France & others.

International students and working individuals take the assessment if they wish to pursue higher education or begin their careers abroad. The first step to attending the IELTS is to book your slot for the assessment.

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The total number of IELTS test dates offered annually in India typically ranges from 36 to 48. This equals about 3 to 4 paper-based test dates a month. The IELTS test centres offer slots on a first-come, first-served basis. It is best to book the IELTS exam as early as possible.

This ensures flexibility for test takers to schedule their exams throughout the year.        

Here's a breakdown of the typical format:

1. Up to 4 test dates are offered monthly.
2. The Academic module is available on all these dates.
3. The General Training module is usually offered on half the number of dates (around 24).

Types of IELTS exam

Before proceeding to the IELTS exam dates, you need to choose which mode of exam suits you best. There are two types of IELTS exams.

• IELTS Academic
• IELTS General Training

IELTS exam types & dates: Offline vs Online

Paper-based (Offline):

• Held Thursdays & Saturdays, 3–4 times/month.
• Academic: all dates; General: ~half.
• Speaking test: separate date, may be at a different centre.
• Fee: ₹18,000.

Computer-delivered (Online):

• Available almost every day except holidays.
• Flexible slots: 09:00–12:00, 01:00–04:00, 05:00–08:00.
• Speaking test: usually same day & centre.
• Fee: ₹18,000.

Tip: Online exams are more flexible and convenient if you want the Speaking test on the same day.

Paper-based exam dates for the IELTS test in India 2026

The IELTS paper-delivered test (excluding the Speaking Test) is scheduled on Thursdays and Saturdays. The test is available up to 4 times a month, for a total of 48 fixed test dates in one year.

Computer-delivered IELTS exam dates 2026

The IELTS computer-based test is available on all days of the week except for public holidays. Within a given test day, there are 3 time slots.

The usual slots for the IELTS Academic exam are as follows:

• 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• 01:00 PM to 04:00 PM
• 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM

IELTS exam dates in India 2026 (City-wise)

Ahmedabad-West

Ambala

Amritsar

Anand

Angamaly

Barnala

Bathinda

Bengaluru

Bhopal

Calicut

Chandigarh

Chengannur

Chennai

Coimbatore

Dehradun

Firozpur

Gurdaspur

Gurugram

Hoshiarpur

Hyderabad

Indore

Jaipur

Jalandhar

Jammu

Kannur

Karnal

Khanna

Kochi

Kolkata

Kollam

Kothamangalam

Kottayam

Kurukshetra

Lucknow

Ludhiana

Mangalore

Mehsana

Moga

Mumbai-West

Nadiad

Nagpur

Nasik

Navi Mumbai

Navsari

Nawanshahr

New Delhi-South

New Delhi-West

Noida

Patiala

Pune

Raikot - Punjab

Rajkot - Gujarat

Rudrapur

Sangrur

Sri Ganganagar

Sri Muktsar Sahib

Surat

Thane

Thrissur

Tiruchirappalli

Trivandrum

Vadodara

Vijayawada

Visakhapatnam

The IELTS exam dates in Chennai are available four days a month for the paper-based test. The computer-delivered IELTS exam in Chennai is available almost every day of the month. You can book one of the three slots from the chosen date to attend the IELTS exam.

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How to find your exam date and register:

Steps to book IELTS exam dates and location

Here's how you can find the IELTS test dates in 2026 and book your preferred test centre:

• Visit the IDP IELTS India website and click “Register for IELTS”.
• Click on the “Find test date” option and select the month and city.
• You'll be redirected to the check test availability page of the IELTS section.
• Lastly, select your preferred test date and click apply.

Related article: IELTS preparation books

How to find the IELTS exam dates 2026?

In India, the IELTS Academic and General Training exams are conducted by IDP IELTS India across major cities. Hence, students can choose the city where they want to attend the test on their preferred date and time slot.

You can select any dates mentioned above to take the test and book a slot on their official website.

What happens if you reschedule your exam dates?

While rescheduling or cancelling your exam dates via email or in person, you'll receive 25% of the administrative fee of the exam as a refund if you cancel five weeks before the stated exam date.

No refund is awarded if you are absent from the test or cancel after 5 weeks.

FAQs

When will the IELTS exam start in 2026?

The first IELTS exam started on 10th January 2026. There are 48 slots available for the test in a year.

Is IELTS valid for 3 years?

No. The IELTS exam result is valid for 2 years from the exam date.

How many times is the IELTS exam conducted in a year?

The total number of IELTS test dates offered annually in India typically ranges from 36 to 48. This equals about 3 to 4 paper-based test dates a month.

What are the IELTS registration fees in India?

The IELTS computer-delivered and paper-based test fees are Rs. 18,000. For the IELTS UKVI exam, the test fee is Rs. 18,250.

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