IELTS 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Students — Format, Fee, Score, Registration

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) remains the world's most widely accepted English proficiency test in 2026, recognized by over 11,000 organizations across 140+ countries. Whether you are planning to study abroad, apply for permanent residency in Canada or Australia, or secure a UK work visa, your IELTS band score is the gateway. Approximately 3.5 million candidates take IELTS every year, and India consistently ranks among the top three test-taking nations. This complete guide covers everything an Indian student needs to know about IELTS 2026 — from the two test formats and the four-section structure to the exact fees charged by IDP India, country-wise score requirements, and how to register. All data below is verified against ielts.org, IDP India, and official government immigration websites as of February 2026.

What Is IELTS? — Test Overview for Indian Students

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English. In India, IDP is the sole distributor of IELTS since July 25, 2021, meaning all registrations, test centers, and result delivery for Indian candidates are handled through IDP India (ieltsidpindia.com). The test measures your ability to listen, read, write, and speak in English through four separately scored sections, each graded on a band scale of 0 to 9 in half-band increments (e.g., 5.5, 6.0, 6.5). Your overall band is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band.

IELTS comes in two main formats: IELTS Academic (for university admission and professional registration) and IELTS General Training (for immigration, work visas, and some training programs). There is also IELTS for UKVI, a version specifically required for UK visa applications that must be taken at designated SELT centers. Regardless of format, all versions test the same four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — and results are valid for two years from the test date. Since 2023, candidates who take Computer-Delivered IELTS (CD-IELTS) also have access to the One Skill Retake (OSR) option, which allows you to retake a single section within 60 days instead of retaking the entire test.

IELTS Academic vs General Training — Which Do You Need?

Choosing between IELTS Academic and General Training is one of the first decisions you must make, and it depends entirely on your purpose. IELTS Academic is required if you want to enroll in an undergraduate or postgraduate program at an English-speaking university, or if you are applying for professional registration (e.g., nursing, medicine, engineering) in countries like Australia or the UK. The Reading section uses academic texts drawn from journals, textbooks, and research papers, and Writing Task 1 asks you to describe a graph, chart, table, diagram, or map in at least 150 words. For a detailed comparison, see our IELTS Academic vs General Training 2026 guide.

IELTS General Training (GT) is the format you need for immigration and permanent residency applications, including Canada PR via Express Entry, Australia PR points system, and some work visas. The GT Reading section uses everyday texts like advertisements, notices, employee handbooks, and newspaper articles, which many test-takers find more approachable. GT Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal) instead of describing data. The Listening and Speaking sections are identical across both formats. Writing Task 2 (the essay) is also the same structure for both, though the topics may differ slightly.

IELTS Test Structure — Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

The IELTS test consists of four sections completed in a single day (for paper-based) or on the same or consecutive days (for computer-delivered, where Speaking may be scheduled separately). The total test time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Listening comes first (30 minutes, 40 questions across 4 sections), followed by Reading (60 minutes, 40 questions across 3 passages), then Writing (60 minutes, 2 tasks). Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner lasting 11–14 minutes with 3 parts. On the computer-delivered test, Speaking is conducted in person at the test center and may happen on the same day or up to 7 days before or after the other sections.

Listening uses four audio recordings of increasing difficulty: Section 1 is a social conversation between two speakers (e.g., booking a hotel), Section 2 is a monologue in a social context (e.g., a guided tour), Section 3 is a discussion among up to four speakers in an educational setting (e.g., students planning a project), and Section 4 is an academic lecture. You hear each recording only once, and you must write your answers while listening. For detailed strategies, see our IELTS Listening tips guide.

Reading presents three long passages (Academic) or three sections with multiple shorter texts (GT). The Academic version draws from journals and textbooks; the GT version uses workplace and everyday material. Question types include True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, matching headings, matching information, multiple choice, sentence completion, summary completion, and diagram labeling. Time management is crucial — you have just 20 minutes per passage on average. Our IELTS Reading tips article covers strategies for every question type.

Writing has two tasks. Task 1 takes 20 minutes (aim for 150+ words) and Task 2 takes 40 minutes (aim for 250+ words). Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1, so never skip it or run short on time. For Academic, Task 1 involves describing data from a graph, chart, table, or process diagram. For GT, Task 1 is a letter. Task 2 is an essay for both formats — the five main types are Agree/Disagree, Advantages/Disadvantages, Causes/Solutions, Discussion (both views), and Two-Part Question. See our Writing Task 2 essay types guide for structures and sample answers.

Speaking is a one-on-one interview with a certified IELTS examiner. Part 1 covers familiar topics like your hometown, work, studies, and hobbies (4–5 minutes). Part 2 gives you a cue card with a topic and 1 minute to prepare before speaking for 1–2 minutes. Part 3 is a deeper discussion connected to the Part 2 topic (4–5 minutes). The speaking test is the same for Academic and GT. Indian students often find Speaking the most challenging due to limited practice with native-like fluency patterns. Our IELTS Speaking tips guide provides strategies for all three parts.

IELTS Scoring System — How Bands Work (0–9)

IELTS uses a 9-band scoring scale for each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), with your overall band score calculated as the arithmetic average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band. For example, if your section scores are L: 7.0, R: 6.5, W: 6.0, S: 7.0, your total is 26.5 ÷ 4 = 6.625, which rounds to an overall 6.5. Band 9 represents “Expert User” (full command of the language), while Band 5 is “Modest User” (partial command with frequent errors). Most universities and immigration programs require an overall band between 6.0 and 7.5, with specific minimum scores per section.

Understanding band descriptors is critical for targeted preparation. The jump from Band 6 to Band 7 is widely considered the hardest — it requires a shift from “competent” to “good” command, which means using less common vocabulary, demonstrating coherence in writing, and showing natural fluency in speaking. If you are stuck at 6.5 and need 7.0, our Band 6 to 7 guide provides the specific strategies that make the difference. For candidates starting at lower levels, see our guides for Band 5.5 to 6.5 and Band 7 to 8.

IELTS Fee in India 2026 — Complete Cost Breakdown

All IELTS registrations in India are processed through IDP Education, the sole distributor since July 2021. The standard test fee is approximately ₹16,250 for both Academic and General Training, regardless of whether you choose paper-based or computer-delivered. IELTS for UKVI costs slightly more at approximately ₹17,000. The One Skill Retake (OSR) fee is around ₹7,500–8,000. Fees are subject to periodic revision by IDP, so always confirm the latest amount on ieltsidpindia.com at the time of registration. For a detailed breakdown of all costs including coaching, materials, and hidden expenses, see our dedicated IELTS Fee in India 2026 guide.

Beyond the test fee, budget for coaching (₹7,500 at EEC, or ₹15,000–50,000 at other institutes), preparation materials (₹500–2,000 for Cambridge practice books), and potentially a second attempt if you do not achieve your target on the first try. On average, an Indian student spends ₹25,000–35,000 total on IELTS preparation and testing. Choosing computer-delivered IELTS saves time with faster results (3–5 days vs. 13 days for paper) and gives you access to OSR, which can save the full ₹16,250 retake fee if you only need to improve one section.

Computer-Delivered vs Paper-Based IELTS

Since IDP introduced Computer-Delivered IELTS (CD-IELTS) in India, it has become the preferred choice for the majority of test-takers. Both formats are identical in content, difficulty, scoring, and acceptance — no university or immigration authority distinguishes between them. The key differences are practical: CD-IELTS gives you results in 3–5 days (vs. 13 days for paper), offers more frequent test dates (often multiple slots per week), and qualifies you for One Skill Retake. On the computer, you type your Writing answers instead of handwriting them, which many students find faster and easier to edit. However, the Speaking section is still conducted face-to-face with a human examiner, even on CD-IELTS.

The main considerations for choosing between formats are your typing comfort, your need for fast results, and whether OSR availability matters to you. If you type comfortably and can meet university or visa application deadlines with 3–5 day results, CD-IELTS is the clear winner. If you are more comfortable writing by hand and have ample time before your deadline, paper-based is perfectly fine. Note that for IELTS for UKVI, both computer and paper formats are available at approved SELT centers. For a comprehensive breakdown, read our IELTS Computer vs Paper 2026 guide.

How to Register for IELTS in India (IDP)

Registering for IELTS in India is a straightforward online process through IDP's website (ieltsidpindia.com). First, create an account on the IDP portal with your name exactly as it appears on your passport or national ID (this is critical — any mismatch will invalidate your test). Next, choose your test format (Academic or General Training), delivery mode (Paper or Computer), preferred test date, and test center city. India has test centers in most major cities including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and many smaller cities. After selecting your slot, upload a recent passport-sized photograph and complete payment online (credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI).

For IELTS test dates in India 2026, computer-delivered slots are available multiple times per week at most centers, while paper-based tests are typically offered 2–4 times per month. It is advisable to book at least 3–4 weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons (January–March for fall intake applications, July–September for January intake). EEC students receive guidance on choosing the optimal test date aligned with their university or immigration application timeline. For the full schedule, see our IELTS Test Dates India 2026 guide.

IELTS Score Requirements by Country

IELTS score requirements vary significantly depending on the country, visa type, and specific institution. The table below summarizes the minimum band scores required by the top destination countries for Indian students. These are minimum thresholds — competitive applicants often score higher, especially for immigration programs where a higher IELTS score earns more points (e.g., Canada CRS, Australia PR points). Always verify requirements with the official source at the time of your application, as policies can change between admission cycles.

For Canada, your IELTS General Training score converts to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level, which directly affects your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for Express Entry. The difference between CLB 7 (68 points) and CLB 9 (124 points with spouse, 136 without) can determine whether you receive an Invitation to Apply. Read our detailed IELTS for Canada PR guide for the full CLB/CRS conversion table. For the UK, you need IELTS for UKVI specifically for visa applications — regular IELTS is only accepted for university admission decisions. See our IELTS for UKVI guide. For Australia, higher IELTS scores directly translate to more PR points: Band 7 each earns 10 points, and Band 8 each earns 20 points — details in our IELTS for Australia PR guide.

EEC IELTS Coaching — ₹7,500 for Classroom, Online Live & Recorded

EEC offers comprehensive IELTS coaching at ₹7,500 — one of the most affordable rates in India for a full-featured course. The program is available in three modes: Classroom (at any of 26 centers across Gujarat, including 8 in Ahmedabad, 5 in Surat, and 4 in Vadodara), Online Live (interactive Zoom classes with real-time trainer feedback), and Pre-recorded (self-paced video lessons with lifetime access). All modes include mock tests for all four sections, personalized writing feedback, one-on-one speaking practice, and access to EEC's proprietary study materials and question banks.

What truly differentiates EEC from standalone coaching centers is the integration with FREE study abroad counseling at every branch. While other institutes only prepare you for the test, EEC aligns your IELTS preparation with your study abroad or immigration goals from day one. Your counselor helps you choose the right IELTS format (Academic vs GT), determine your target band based on your destination and program, and plan your application timeline. Whether you are targeting Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, or any of 40+ countries, EEC has 27+ years of experience helping 50,000+ students achieve their goals.

“I scored Band 7.5 in my first attempt with EEC. The mock tests were exactly like the real exam, and my counselor helped me get admission to the University of Toronto with a scholarship.”

— Priya Patel, EEC Ahmedabad Student, Fall 2025 Intake

To get started, call +91 8758883889, visit your nearest EEC center, or book a free consultation online. EEC also offers coaching for PTE, TOEFL, CELPIP, GRE, Digital SAT, and language courses including German A1/A2 and French A1.

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