IELTS registration in India is now handled exclusively by IDP Education. The British Council no longer administers IELTS in India. All bookings go through ieltsidpindia.com.
Before You Start: Which IELTS Do You Need?
IELTS Academic — for university admissions and professional registration (nursing, medicine, pharmacy, etc.). Required by most universities for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and by regulatory bodies like NMC, AHPRA, and GPhC.
IELTS General Training — for skilled migration visas (Australia, Canada Express Entry), work permits, and family/spouse visa routes. Required by IRCC Canada for Express Entry — not IELTS Academic.
IELTS for UKVI — the version required for UK visa applications (Student Visa, Skilled Worker Visa). Standard IELTS Academic or General Training does not satisfy UK Home Office requirements. IELTS for UKVI Academic covers both NMC/GPhC registration and UK visa simultaneously — taking the standard Academic version and then discovering you also need UKVI is an expensive mistake.
IELTS Life Skills (A1/A2/B1) — for UK spouse, family, and ILR applications. This is a separate, shorter test — Speaking and Listening only — that satisfies the UK family visa English requirement. It is not the same test as standard IELTS.
If you're unsure which version you need, confirm directly with your university, visa authority, or regulatory body before booking.
What You Need Before Starting
- Valid Indian passport — the only accepted ID for IELTS registration and test day. Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence, and other IDs are not accepted
- Name exactly as on passport
- Active email address
- Scanned copy of your passport (first and last page, under 1MB file size) for upload during registration
- Credit/debit card, UPI, or net banking for payment
Step-by-Step Registration
Step 1: Go to ieltsidpindia.com Click 'Book Now' or 'Register for IELTS'.
Step 2: Select your test type Choose Academic, General Training, IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General), or IELTS Life Skills depending on your requirement.
Step 3: Create an account Provide your full name (exactly as on passport), date of birth, nationality, email address, and contact number. If you already have an account, log in.
Step 4: Select your test format
- Computer-delivered IELTS — recommended for most candidates. Results in 1–2 days. Speaking test remains face-to-face. Paper-based Writing available at some centres.
- Paper-based IELTS — being phased out. Results in approximately 13 days. If this option matters to you, confirm availability with your local centre.
Step 5: Choose your city and test centre Select your preferred city from the list. Check seat availability for your target date range.
Step 6: Choose a test date Available dates with open slots will be highlighted. Choose a date that gives you enough preparation time and leaves sufficient validity buffer for your application. IELTS is available on multiple dates per month at most major centres.
Step 7: Complete the registration form Fill in personal information, upload your passport scan, and specify the Recognised Organisations (institutions, universities, or visa authorities) you want your scores sent to. You can send to 5 institutions for free during registration. Additional score reports cost ₹350 each.
Step 8: Pay and confirm Fee: ₹19,000 for IELTS Academic and General Training (from April 1, 2026). ₹19,250 for IELTS for UKVI. Payment via credit/debit card, UPI, or net banking. You'll receive a confirmation email with your booking details.
Choosing Your Five Free Score Recipients
During registration you can nominate up to five institutions to receive your score electronically — at no charge. Additional reports after this cost ₹350 each.
Choose these five carefully:
- Finalise your shortlist of universities or confirm your visa authority before your test date
- Score sending happens automatically when results are released
- You can still add institutions after your test, but at ₹350 each
Rescheduling and Cancellation
| Action | Timing | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rescheduling | Before the rescheduling deadline | ₹4,750 |
| Cancellation | 9+ days before test | 25% deducted; remainder refunded |
| Cancellation | Less than 4 days before | No refund |
Test Day: What to Bring
- Original, valid passport — same document used for registration
- Test confirmation / acknowledgement slip
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time
- No electronic devices, notes, or personal items in the test room
Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid
Booking standard IELTS for a UK visa: UK immigration requires IELTS for UKVI — not standard IELTS Academic or General Training. If you're applying for any UK visa, confirm you've booked the UKVI version. A standard IELTS score will not be accepted by the UK Home Office.
Choosing IELTS Academic for Canada Express Entry: IRCC requires IELTS General Training, not Academic, for Express Entry and most PR pathways. Taking Academic for Canadian immigration means the score cannot be used for your application.
Not naming score recipients during registration: Adding recipients after the test costs ₹350 each. Know your institutions before test day.
Not leaving enough validity buffer: Your score is valid for 2 years from test date. If your visa or admission decision is likely to take 12+ months, plan your test date accordingly. Scoring well and then having your score expire before your application is decided is an avoidable and expensive problem.
