IELTS exam dates for 2026 are available throughout the year across India, with no fixed national test calendar like JEE or CAT. IELTS is one of the world's most widely accepted English language proficiency tests for higher education, migration and professional registration.

In India, IELTS is administered by IDP and candidates can choose from multiple test dates based on their preferred city, test centre, module and test format. Paper-based IELTS follows scheduled dates, while IELTS on Computer offers significantly greater flexibility.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English proficiency examination jointly owned by the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge English. It assesses four core language skills:

IELTS scores are accepted by thousands of institutions, employers, professional bodies and immigration authorities worldwide.

The IELTS exam is conducted with a flexible schedule by which students can select from multiple IELTS exam dates in India.

Paper-based tests run on approximately four fixed dates per month nationally, typically on Thursdays and Saturdays. Computer-delivered tests are available almost daily. The specific dates for each month are published on the IDP portal and updated regularly.

The IELTS exam fee in India is INR 19,000 for both Academic and General Training, regardless of whether you take the test on paper or computer. This fee is the same across all cities in India.

IDP typically revises the IELTS exam fee in April each year. The INR 19,000 figure reflects the current 2026 rate. If you are booking after April 2027, verify the latest fee directly with IDP before registering. Payment is made online at the time of booking via Net Banking, Credit or Debit Card, or UPI.

Unlike entrance exams such as JEE, NEET, or CAT, IELTS does not follow a single nationwide examination calendar. Instead, test dates are offered throughout the year across authorized IELTS test centres.

For IELTS on Paper, tests are held on 48 scheduled dates annually, typically on Thursdays and Saturdays. IELTS Academic is available on all 48 dates. IELTS General Training is offered on 24 of those dates, usually two per month.

For IELTS on Computer, tests are available up to seven days a week at many centres, with up to three sessions per day. This makes it far more flexible for candidates who need a specific date or quick results.

In India, test date availability varies by:

• Test format (Computer or Paper)
• Test type (Academic, General Training, UKVI, or Life Skills)
• Test city and specific centre
• Seat capacity at each centre

The Speaking test is scheduled by the test centre. It is always a face-to-face interview with a certified IELTS examiner. The timing depends on centre arrangements:

You will be notified of your Speaking test date by your test centre after booking.