GRE Fee & Registration India 2026: ₹22,000 — Complete Guide

How much does the GRE fee in India cost in 2026? The GRE General Test costs ₹22,000 (US$220) in India — and with the shorter ~1 hour 58 minute format introduced in September 2023, you get a faster, more focused exam. Combined with EEC's GRE coaching at ₹7,500, your total investment is just ₹29,500 — a figure that pales in comparison to the ₹80 lakh–₹1.5 crore starting salaries a strong GRE score can unlock. This guide covers every rupee you'll spend, how to register step-by-step, payment methods, test centres in India, the at-home option, rescheduling policies, and ID requirements. If you're planning to study in the USA or apply for MS/MBA programs abroad, this is the definitive GRE fee India 2026 resource.

GRE Fee Breakdown: Every Charge Explained

ETS charges a single registration fee for the GRE General Test. However, there are additional fees for rescheduling, score sends beyond the four free reports, and other services. Here is the complete breakdown in both INR and USD so you can budget accurately.

How to Register for the GRE: Step-by-Step Guide

GRE registration is done online through the ETS website. The process takes about 15–20 minutes. Follow these steps carefully to avoid errors that could delay your test date.

Step 1: Create an ETS Account

Visit ets.org/gre and click "Register for the GRE." Create a free ETS account using your legal name exactly as it appears on your passport. Any mismatch between your ETS account name and your ID will result in being denied entry on test day.

Step 2: Choose Your Test Type

Select "GRE General Test." You can choose between a test centre appointment or the GRE at Home option. Both versions are identical in format, scoring, and university acceptance.

Step 3: Select Date, Time & Location

Browse available dates and test centres in your city. Popular centres in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Ahmedabad fill up fast — especially during peak application seasons (August–November). Select your preferred slot and proceed.

Step 4: Pay ₹22,000

Pay using an international credit/debit card, PayPal, or other accepted methods. Once payment is confirmed, you'll receive an email confirmation with your test date, time, and centre details.

Step 5: Select Up to 4 Free Score Recipients

On test day, you can send your scores to up to 4 universities for free using the ScoreSelect option. You can choose which test scores to send (if you've taken the GRE multiple times). Additional score reports cost ₹2,700 each.

Payment Methods for GRE Registration from India

ETS accepts the following payment methods for Indian students: (1) International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB), (2) International debit cards with international transactions enabled, (3) PayPal, and (4) e-check (US bank accounts only — not available for most Indian students). The ₹22,000 is charged at the prevailing exchange rate plus any bank foreign transaction fees (typically 1–3%).

GRE Test Centers in India

ETS operates GRE test centres in major cities across India through Prometric testing centres. The GRE is available almost every day of the year at most centres, giving you flexible scheduling options. Here are the major test centre cities:

If you don't see a centre near you, or if all slots are booked, consider the GRE at Home option — it's identical to the test centre experience and accepted by all universities. Ask EEC for help finding the best test centre.

GRE at Home Option: Take the GRE from Your Room

The GRE at Home allows you to take the exact same test from the comfort of your home with a live human proctor monitoring via your webcam. The fee (₹22,000), format (~1h58min), scoring (V 130–170, Q 130–170, AW 0–6), and university acceptance are identical to the test centre version. Requirements include: a private room with a closed door, a Windows or Mac computer with camera and microphone, a stable internet connection (minimum 2 Mbps), and the ETS Secure Test Browser installed.

Rescheduling & Cancellation Policies

Life happens — and ETS allows you to reschedule or cancel your GRE, though with fees. Rescheduling costs ₹5,500 ($50) and must be done at least 4 days before your test date. Cancellation refunds half your registration fee (₹11,000 / $110) if done at least 4 days before the test. If you cancel within 4 days, you forfeit the entire fee. If you simply don't show up ("no-show"), you lose the full ₹22,000 with no refund.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Beyond the ₹22,000 test fee, here are other costs Indian GRE candidates should budget for:

Score Sends (Beyond Free 4)

Each additional score report costs ₹2,700 ($27). If you're applying to 8 universities, that's 4 extra reports = ₹10,800. Use the ScoreSelect feature wisely — you can choose to send scores from your best attempt only.

Preparation Materials

ETS offers free PowerPrep practice tests (2 free, additional ones at $39.95 each). The Official GRE Guide book costs approximately ₹1,500–2,000. However, with EEC's GRE coaching at ₹7,500, all practice materials are included — you don't need to purchase anything separately.

Total Budget Summary

For a student applying to 6 universities with EEC coaching: GRE test (₹22,000) + EEC coaching (₹7,500) + 2 extra score sends (₹5,400) = ₹34,900 total. That's less than ₹35,000 for a complete GRE journey — from preparation to score delivery. Compare this to the ₹28–65 lakh tuition at US universities and the ₹80 lakh–₹1.5 crore starting salaries. The math speaks for itself.

ID Requirements on Test Day

ETS has strict ID requirements for GRE test day. You must bring a valid, unexpired passport as your primary ID. The name on your passport must match the name on your ETS account exactly — including spelling, order of names, and any middle names. No other ID (Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence) is accepted as a primary document for the GRE in India.

If your passport is expired, in renewal, or your name has changed since you created your ETS account, resolve these issues before test day. Candidates denied entry due to ID mismatches do not receive refunds. EEC counsellors verify your documents before you register, so you never face this issue.

EEC GRE Coaching: ₹7,500 — Maximum Value

EEC offers comprehensive GRE coaching at a flat ₹7,500 — covering Online Live classes and Pre-recorded video courses. This includes all study materials, practice tests, Quant and Verbal strategy sessions, AWA essay review, and personalised score improvement plans. With 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ students placed, EEC's trainers know exactly what it takes to push Indian students into the 320+ score range.

“You invest ₹7,500 in GRE coaching at EEC + ₹22,000 for the GRE test = ₹29,500 total. A top GRE score can help you land at a university where the average starting salary is ₹1.09 crore. That's a 2,800x ROI — the best investment an Indian student can make.”

— EEC Education Team, 27+ Years of Study Abroad Excellence

Every EEC GRE student also receives free study abroad counselling — university shortlisting, SOP guidance, application review, and visa support. This alone would cost ₹25,000–50,000 at other consultancies. At EEC, it's included with your ₹7,500 coaching fee. Start your GRE journey with a free consultation.

Related reads: GRE Complete Guide 2026 | Best GRE Coaching in India | GRE Score Requirements for MS in the USA. Explore study in the USA with EEC and study in Germany with EEC.

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