Most students planning to study abroad research the exam they need to take. Far fewer sit down and research exactly how much the whole process will cost — registration, preparation, and the very real possibility of a second attempt. That gap is expensive.
This is the full cost picture for every major English proficiency exam in India in 2026 — not just the registration fee, but the complete picture, including the charges most people only discover after they've already paid for something.
The Short Answer: What Each Exam Costs to Register in India
| Exam | Standard Fee (India, 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | ₹19,000 | Increased from ₹18,000 on April 1, 2026 |
| IELTS General Training | ₹19,000 | Same as Academic |
| IELTS for UKVI | ₹19,250 | Required for UK Student and Work visas |
| PTE Academic | ₹18,900 (incl. 18% GST) | Revised from March 16, 2026 |
| OET (all 4 sub-tests) | AUD 587 (~₹32,000–38,000) | INR equivalent fluctuates with exchange rate |
| Duolingo English Test | USD 70 (~₹6,000–6,500) | INR equivalent varies with exchange rate |
All fees verified as of May 2026 and subject to revision. Always confirm directly at ieltsidpindia.com, pearsonpte.com, occupationalenglishtest.org, and englishtest.duolingo.com before registering.
IELTS — The Full Cost Picture
The IELTS exam fee in India increased from ₹18,000 to ₹19,000 from April 1, 2026, applicable for both Academic and General Training, computer-delivered and paper. IELTS for UKVI is ₹19,250. Paper-based IELTS is being phased out from late June 2026.
The Charges Most Students Don't Budget For
| Service | Fee (India, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Rescheduling | ₹4,750 |
| Enquiry on Results (recheck) | ₹13,500 (refunded if score improves) |
| One Skill Retake | ₹12,650 |
| IELTS Life Skills (A1/B1) | ₹18,000 |
| Additional Test Report Form (beyond 5 free) | ₹350 per institution |
| Cancellation (9+ days before test) | 25% deducted; rest refunded |
| Cancellation (less than 4 days before) | No refund |
When you register, you get five free electronic Test Report Forms. Sending to additional institutions costs ₹350 each. The Enquiry on Results fee is refunded in full if your score improves — only apply if you have a genuine reason to believe your original score was below your assessed level.
What a Full IELTS Journey Can Cost
| Scenario | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| One attempt, no extras | ₹19,000 |
| One attempt + rescheduling | ₹23,750 |
| One attempt + Enquiry on Results | ₹32,500 |
| One attempt + One Skill Retake | ₹31,650 |
| Two full attempts | ₹38,000 |
| Two full attempts + EOR on second | ₹51,500 |
Not preparing thoroughly before your first attempt is, in practice, the most expensive decision in the IELTS process. A ₹19,000 fee is a given. A second ₹19,000 is entirely avoidable.
PTE Academic — The Full Cost Picture
The PTE Academic exam fee in India was revised to ₹18,900 (inclusive of 18% GST), effective March 16, 2026. This applies to PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, and PTE Core.
The Charges Most Students Don't Budget For
| Service | Fee (India, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Rescheduling (14+ days before test) | Free |
| Rescheduling (7–13 days before) | ~50% of fee (~₹9,450) |
| Rescheduling (less than 7 days) | Not permitted — must cancel and rebook |
| Cancellation (14+ days before) | Full refund |
| Cancellation (8–13 days before) | ~50% refund (~₹9,450) |
| Cancellation (7 days or less) | No refund |
| Score Review (rescoring) | ~USD 160 (~₹14,000–15,000) — refunded if score changes |
Rescheduling (14+ days before test)Free
Rescheduling (7–13 days before)50% of fee (₹9,450)
Rescheduling (less than 7 days)Not permitted — must cancel and rebook
Cancellation (14+ days before)Full refund
Cancellation (8–13 days before)50% refund (₹9,450)
Cancellation (7 days or less)No refund
Score Review (rescoring)USD 160 (₹14,000–15,000) — refunded if score changes
The most expensive exam journey is the underprepared one. We're built around getting you to your target in a single attempt.
Talk to a TrainerThe rescheduling cliff: PTE's free rescheduling window closes 14 days before the test. Miss it by one day and you're paying roughly half the exam fee to change a date. Book only when your preparation is genuinely on track.
OET — The Full Cost Picture
OET is priced in Australian Dollars. The total fee for all four sub-tests is AUD 587 — approximately ₹32,000–38,000 depending on the exchange rate. OET also allows individual sub-test bookings (paper-based only):
| Sub-tests Booked | Fee (AUD) | Approx. INR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 sub-test | AUD 200.50 | ~₹11,000–14,000 |
| 2 sub-tests | AUD 339 | ~₹18,500–23,000 |
| 3 sub-tests | AUD 477.50 | ~₹26,000–32,000 |
| All 4 sub-tests | AUD 587 | ~₹32,000–38,000 |
Because OET is priced in AUD, every cost is subject to exchange rate movement. Budget with a buffer of 10–15% above the current converted figure. Some NHS Trusts and recruitment agencies cover OET fees for sponsored nurses and doctors — confirm before self-funding. OET is the most expensive test on this list by a significant margin.
Duolingo English Test — The Full Cost Picture
The DET fee increased from USD 65 to USD 70 in February 2025 and remains at USD 70 in 2026 (₹6,000–6,500). A two-test bundle is available at USD 100 (₹8,800–9,000) — saving around ₹1,000–1,500 per attempt if you're likely to need a second go.
| Service | Fee / Notes |
|---|---|
| Rescheduling | No formal rescheduling — take test any time within 21 days of purchase |
| Cancellation / Refund | No refund once purchased; unused 21-day window means credit is lost |
| Express Results (12 hours) | USD 33 (~₹2,900); standard results arrive within 48 hours free |
| Score sending to universities | Free — unlimited |
Even three Duolingo attempts cost approximately the same as one IELTS attempt. For students still building their English level, the ability to retake affordably is a genuine strategic advantage.
Side-by-Side: Registration Fees at a Glance
| Exam | India Fee (2026) | Result Timeline | Score Valid For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / General | ₹19,000 | 3–5 days | 2 years |
| IELTS for UKVI | ₹19,250 | 3–5 days | 2 years |
| PTE Academic | ₹18,900 | ~2 business days | 2 years |
| OET (all 4 sub-tests) | ~₹32,000–38,000 | ~16 days | 2 years |
| Duolingo English Test | ~₹6,000–6,500 | 48 hours (standard) | 2 years |
The Budget Reality: What You Should Actually Plan For
The registration fee is the floor, not the ceiling. Here's a realistic budget for each test, accounting for the possibility of one additional attempt or service:
| Exam | Optimistic (1 attempt) | Realistic (with contingency) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | ₹19,000 | ₹32,000–38,000 |
| PTE | ₹18,900 | ₹30,000–38,000 |
| OET | ₹32,000–38,000 | ₹55,000–70,000 |
| Duolingo | ₹6,000–6,500 | ₹15,000–20,000 |
Three Cost-Saving Decisions That Actually Matter
Prepare before you book, not after. Every exam punishes late decisions with cancellation and rescheduling fees. Book only when your practice scores are consistently hitting your target.
Choose your test based on acceptance, not price. Duolingo is cheaper but isn't accepted for any visa application. A cheaper test that doesn't serve your purpose costs more than the right test the first time.
Use your free score reports strategically. IELTS gives five free TRFs. Finalise your shortlist before your test date so you name your five institutions at booking — changing your mind later costs ₹350 per report.
