The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a widely accepted English proficiency test for those planning to study, work or migrate to English-speaking countries. Whether you're aiming for a university admission or a visa application, IELTS is often a key requirement. And like any important exam, it comes with a cost.

The IELTS exam fee in India for 2025 is INR 18,000, which applies to both the Academic and General Training tests. But beyond the main test fee, there are a few more costs to keep in mind, such as registration charges, rescheduling fees, cancellation costs and re-evaluation requests. In this blog, we’ll walk you through every aspect of the IELTS cost structure so you can plan your budget wisely and avoid any last-minute surprises. Let’s break it down, step by step.

Table of Content

1. IELTS Exam Fees in India in 2025
2. City-wise IELTS Exam Fee in India for 2025
3. IELTS Cancellation Fees in India
4. IELTS Exam Rescheduling Fees
5. IELTS Exam Rescheduling Fees in India
6. IELTS Rechecking Fees in India
7. IELTS Test Fee for Additional TRF
8. Mode of Payments for IELTS Exam Fee in India
9. Tips to save smart on your IELTS Exam
10. Prepare Smarter with KC Overseas Education
11. FAQs

IELTS Exam Fees in India in 2025

Here are the details of the IELTS exam fee in India based on the different types of IELTS tests available in 2025. Whether you're taking the Academic, General Training, or UKVI versions, the cost varies slightly depending on the format and purpose.

The IELTS exam fee remains the same across all cities in India, set at INR 18,000 for both Academic and General Training formats. If you’re planning to take the UKVI IELTS (for UK Visas and Immigration), the fee is slightly higher at INR 18,250. For those appearing for the IELTS Life Skills test at either the A1 or B1 level, the cost is INR 17,000.

There is also an option for a One Skill Retake, which allows candidates to retake only the part they want to improve instead of sitting for the entire test again. This option is currently offered at select test centres across India, and the fee for it is INR 12,000.

City-wise IELTS Exam Fee in India for 2025

Although the IELTS exam fee is uniform across the country, many students search for it using their specific city or state. Here’s a quick overview of the IELTS exam fee in major locations across India for 2025.

IELTS Cancellation Fees in India

We understand that sometimes, plans change. Whether it’s a personal emergency or a shift in your study or travel schedule, cancelling your IELTS test might become necessary. But before you make that decision, it’s important to understand how the cancellation process works and what charges may apply.

Key Points to Know Before Cancelling Your IELTS Test

• If you cancel at least 5 weeks before your scheduled test date, you’re eligible for a refund. However, 25% of the test fee will be deducted as an administrative charge.
• If you cancel less than 5 weeks before the test date, you won’t receive any refund.
• Not showing up on test day is treated as a cancellation, and in such cases, no refund is granted.
• In case of a medical emergency, if you submit a valid medical certificate within 5 days of the exam date, you may still be eligible for a refund. A local administrative fee will be deducted before the refund is processed.

Detailed Cancellation Cost for Different Types of IELTS Exams

1. IELTS Paper-Based Test

• Administration charge: INR 4,500 (inclusive of taxes)
• If cancelled at least 9 days before the test: INR 13,500 will be refunded within 10 to 12 working days
• If cancelled less than 9 days before the test: No refund
  

2. IELTS Computer-Based Test

• Administration charge: INR 4,500 (inclusive of taxes)
• If cancelled at least 9 days before the test: INR 13,500 will be refunded within 10 to 12 working days
• If cancelled less than 9 days before the test: No refund
  

3. IELTS Life Skills Test (A1 and B1)

• Administration charge: INR 4,250 (inclusive of taxes)
• If cancelled at least 9 days before the test: INR 12,750 will be refunded within 10 to 12 working days
• If cancelled less than 9 days before the test: No refund
  

4. IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training)

• Administration charge: INR 4,550 (inclusive of taxes)
• If cancelled at least 9 days before the test: INR 13,700 will be refunded within 10 to 12 working days
• If cancelled less than 9 days before the test: No refund
  

IELTS One Skill Retake Cancellation Fees

The One Skill Retake test can be cancelled at least 72 hours before the test time under certain conditions. If eligible, a partial refund of INR 9,000 is issued. No refund is applicable for cancellations made less than 72 hours before the test or in case of no-shows.

IELTS Exam Rescheduling Fees

If you're unable to appear for your IELTS test on the scheduled date but don't want to cancel it entirely, rescheduling is an option. However, it's important to follow the correct process and be aware of the rescheduling charges. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• You can reschedule your test by paying a transfer fee, which varies by test type.
• If you reschedule at least 5 weeks before your original test date, you’re eligible for a new date after a standard administrative fee is deducted.
• If you reschedule or cancel within 5 weeks of your test date, you’ll need to pay the full test fee, unless you have a valid medical reason.
• In case of a medical emergency, a refund may be considered if you submit a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date. The refund will be processed after deducting the administrative fee.
• If you miss the test on your rescheduled date, no further rescheduling or refund will be allowed.
  

IELTS Exam Rescheduling Fees in India

IELTS Rechecking Fees in India

If you feel that your IELTS scores don’t reflect your true performance, you have the option to request a recheck. This process is called Enquiry on Results (EOR) and can be a useful step for those genuinely confident about their attempt.

Key Points to Know About IELTS Rechecking

• You can request a recheck of one section or multiple sections of the test.
• The rechecking process must be initiated by submitting the official EOR form to your test centre.
• If your band score increases after the re-evaluation, you’ll receive a full refund.
• The rechecking is carried out by senior examiners who are not involved in the original scoring.

IELTS Rechecking Fees by Test Type

IELTS Test Fee for Additional TRF

The Additional Test Report Form (ATRF) lets you share your IELTS scores with universities after your test. You can send your scores via electronic delivery, courier, or airmail.

Your first five electronic ATRFs are free. After that, a fee of INR 300 per university applies for each extra report.

You can send scores to up to five institutions in a single day. If you need to send more, simply log in again the next day to continue.

Mode of Payments for IELTS Exam Fee in India

Registering for the IELTS test is quite flexible, and you can choose between online and offline options, depending on what works best for you.

If you're registering online, you can make the payment using net banking, credit card, or debit card during the registration process itself.

For those preferring the offline method, payment can be made in two ways:

• By bank deposit at any ICICI or HDFC branch using a deposit slip, which you can download from the official IDP India website or collect from your nearest IDP office.
• Through a demand draft, made in favour of ‘IDP Education India Private Limited, payable at New Delhi.’ Make sure to use a bank approved by IDP.
  

Tips to save smart on your IELTS Exam

Planning ahead can help you stay within budget for your IELTS journey, here are a few tips you can follow -

• Be sure of your test dates: Confirm your availability before registering to skip unnecessary cancellation or transfer fees.
• Enrol for IELTS online classes: This helps you stay updated on test changes, fee structures, and deadlines, all from the comfort of home.
  

Prepare Smarter with KC Overseas Education

Juggling test prep while tracking fees and deadlines can get overwhelming. That’s where partnering with a trusted education consultant like KC Overseas Education makes all the difference. We help you stay focused on your IELTS goals while we handle the details, so nothing important slips through the cracks.

FAQs

1. Can I pay the IELTS exam fee in instalments?

No, IELTS fees in India must be paid in full at the time of booking. There's currently no option for part payments or EMI plans.

2. Does the IELTS fee vary based on the test centre?

No, the standard IELTS exam fee is the same across all test centres in India, regardless of the city or location.

3. What happens if my IELTS payment fails during online registration?

If your payment fails, your test slot won’t be booked. Try again with a different payment method or contact the test centre for support.

4. Is GST included in the IELTS exam fee in India?

Yes, the IELTS exam fee is inclusive of all applicable taxes, including GSzT. There are no hidden charges during the booking.

5. What is the validity of the IELTS exam fee payment?

Once paid, your IELTS fee is valid only for the test date you select. If you reschedule, a transfer fee applies based on your test type.