CELPIP Fee & Registration in India 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

The CELPIP fee India 2026 for the General test is ₹12,500 plus applicable taxes (~₹12,797 after GST), making it one of the most affordable language proficiency tests for Canada immigration. If you're planning your registration in India in 2026, knowing the exact fee structure, payment process, and booking timeline can save you days of confusion and prevent costly rescheduling charges. At EEC, with 27+ years of experience guiding 50,000+ students through every step of their Canada journey, we've helped thousands of Indian test takers navigate the CELPIP fee India 2026 payment and registration process smoothly — from account creation to test-day readiness. This step-by-step guide covers everything: fees for both CELPIP versions, how to register on celpip.ca, accepted payment methods in India, rescheduling policies, and the documents you'll need. Let's break it all down. If you need immediate help, book a free consultation with EEC's registration support team.

CELPIP Fee in India 2026

The CELPIP test fee in India for 2026 is set by Paragon Testing Enterprises and is denominated in Indian Rupees for test takers registering from India. The CELPIP-General test — the version required for Canada PR through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and work permits — costs ₹12,500 plus applicable taxes. After GST, the total comes to approximately ₹12,797. This is the fee for a single test sitting that covers all four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. For a full breakdown of what the test covers, see our CELPIP complete guide for India 2026. For a cost comparison with other language tests, see how CELPIP compares to IELTS and PTE.

The CELPIP-General LS (Listening and Speaking only) costs ₹8,500 plus taxes (~₹8,702 total). This version is accepted only for Canadian citizenship applications and select provincial programs — it is not valid for Express Entry PR applications. If you're targeting Canada PR or study in Canada, always register for the full CELPIP-General.

CELPIP-General vs General LS Fee

Choosing the wrong CELPIP version is one of the most common and expensive mistakes Indian applicants make. The difference isn't just in the fee — it determines whether your score is even accepted by IRCC for your immigration application. Here is the full comparison to help you decide.

Step-by-Step Registration Guide

Registering for CELPIP is done entirely online through the official Paragon Testing website at celpip.ca. There is no paper registration or walk-in option. The process typically takes 15-20 minutes if you have all your documents ready. Here is the complete step-by-step process for Indian test takers in 2026.

A critical point: your name on the CELPIP registration must match your passport exactly — including spelling, order, and any middle names. If there's a mismatch, you may be denied entry on test day. Also, note that registration closes 1 business day before the test date, but popular test centres and dates fill up weeks in advance, especially in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai. For test centre details, see our CELPIP test centres in India 2026 guide.

Payment Methods in India

The CELPIP fee must be paid online at the time of registration. Paragon Testing accepts international credit cards and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) for Indian registrations. Here's what you need to know about making your payment from India.

Accepted Payment Methods

Visa credit/debit cards and Mastercard credit/debit cards enabled for international transactions are the primary payment methods. Your card must be enabled for international online payments — most Indian banks require you to activate this feature separately through net banking or your bank's mobile app. RuPay cards, UPI, and net banking are not accepted for CELPIP registration.

Handling Payment Issues

If your payment fails, check that your card's international transaction limit is sufficient (₹15,000+ recommended to cover taxes and currency fluctuation). Contact your bank to ensure the card is enabled for international e-commerce. If the transaction is declined despite an enabled card, try a different Visa or Mastercard. In rare cases, the payment may be processed in CAD and converted to INR by your bank, so keep a small buffer for exchange rate differences.

Rescheduling & Cancellation Policy

Life happens — sometimes you need to change your test date or cancel altogether. CELPIP does offer rescheduling and cancellation, but with fees and deadlines you must be aware of. Here's the current policy for 2026.

Rescheduling

You can reschedule your CELPIP test up to 3 calendar days before your test date. The rescheduling fee for CELPIP-General is approximately ₹3,750, and for CELPIP-General LS it is approximately ₹2,550. Rescheduling within 3 days of the test or after the test date is not permitted. To reschedule, log in to your CELPIP account, go to "My Tests," and select "Reschedule." You'll be shown available dates and centres, and the rescheduling fee will be charged to your card.

Cancellation

If you cancel more than 3 calendar days before your test date, you'll receive a partial refund (typically the test fee minus the administrative/cancellation fee). Cancellations within 3 days of the test or no-shows do not qualify for any refund. The exact refund amount varies and is displayed at the time of cancellation. For the latest policy details, always check celpip.ca, or contact EEC for personalised rescheduling advice.

If you're unsure about your dates, it's better to book early and reschedule if needed (paying the smaller rescheduling fee) than to wait and risk losing your preferred date entirely. For strategies on timing your test around Express Entry draws, see our CELPIP vs IELTS comparison for tactical booking advice.

Tips for Getting Preferred Test Dates

CELPIP test slots in India can fill up surprisingly fast, especially in major cities. Here are EEC-recommended strategies to secure the date and location you want.

Book 4-6 Weeks in Advance

While registration technically stays open until 1 business day before the test, popular centres in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai often have fully booked weekends 3-4 weeks out. Booking 4-6 weeks ahead gives you the widest selection of dates and times.

Check Multiple Cities

If your preferred city is sold out, check neighbouring centres. For example, if Ahmedabad is full, check Vadodara or Surat — EEC has branches in all three cities to support your preparation locally.

Weekday Slots Have More Availability

Weekend test dates are the first to fill up since most working professionals and students prefer Saturday or Sunday. If you have flexibility, weekday slots (Tuesday-Thursday) are significantly easier to book and often have a quieter, less crowded test environment. Planning your test date around your education loan timeline ensures you have CELPIP results ready when applying.

Set Calendar Reminders

New test dates are added to celpip.ca periodically. Set a reminder to check every 2-3 days if your preferred date isn't available yet. Dates are also sometimes released in batches — checking early in the morning (IST) can give you first access.

Documents Needed for Registration

CELPIP has a straightforward document requirement. Here's exactly what you need for registration and what you must bring on test day.

For Registration (Online)

You need a valid, unexpired passport. Your passport number, full name (as printed), date of birth, and country of issue are required during the online registration form. No other ID is accepted — Aadhaar, PAN card, and driving licence are not valid for CELPIP registration. Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity remaining at the time of registration.

For Test Day

On test day, you must bring the same passport used during registration. The name and passport number will be verified against your registration record. If there is any mismatch — even a minor spelling difference — you will be denied entry and forfeit your fee. No photocopies, no digital versions — only the original physical passport. For full exam-day preparation, see our CELPIP exam day tips guide.

EEC Helps You Through the Process

At EEC, we don't just teach you English — we manage the entire CELPIP journey from start to finish. With 27+ years of experience and dedicated CELPIP coaching centres across Gujarat, our team ensures that registration, preparation, and test-day logistics are completely stress-free.

What EEC Offers for CELPIP Test Takers

Our CELPIP coaching program includes registration assistance where our counselors walk you through the celpip.ca registration, payment setup, and date selection. We provide personalized study plans built around your test date, with expert preparation strategies for CLB 9+. Every student receives mock tests, section-wise practice, and one-on-one speaking feedback from our Canada-specialist trainers.

Beyond the test itself, EEC's immigration counselors connect your CELPIP score to the bigger picture — Canada visa applications, Express Entry profile optimization, and study loan guidance for those planning to study in Canada first. We offer online CELPIP coaching across India as well as in-person classes at our centres in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara.

“I was totally confused about CELPIP registration — which version to pick, how to pay from India, when to book. EEC's team handled everything and I just focused on my preparation. Got CLB 9 on my first attempt!”

— Ritu Patel, EEC Student — CLB 9, Canada PR 2025

Frequently Asked Questions