How early should I register for the IELTS exam?

It's recommended to register at least 2-3 months in advance to secure your preferred date and location.

Can I change my IELTS exam date after booking?

Yes, you can reschedule your exam, but it may require paying a fee depending on the test centre's policies.

How do I choose the best IELTS exam date for me?

Consider your preparation level, availability, and university application deadlines before selecting a date.

What happens if I miss my IELTS exam date?

Missing your exam usually results in losing the fee, and you will need to rebook and pay again.

How much time should I devote to preparation before the IELTS exam?

At least 2-3 months of consistent preparation is ideal, depending on your current proficiency level.

How often is the IELTS test conducted in a year?

The IELTS test is available throughout the year, with up to 4 test dates per month, totaling 48 fixed test dates annually.

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 in India: Month-wise and City-wise List

With IELTS conducted throughout the year in India, candidates can choose from multiple test dates every month based on the test format and module. IELTS exam availability may vary depending on whether the Academic or General Training module is selected.

This guide covers IELTS exam dates for 2026 across major Indian cities, helping candidates check test availability and plan their exam schedule effectively. Whether the test is taken in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, or other cities, understanding date availability can help in choosing the right test slot.

IELTS test slots fill up quickly, especially for popular cities and paper-based formats. Early registration increases the chances of securing a preferred date and location.

Key Highlights:

IELTS is conducted all year round in India, with around 48 fixed test dates annually for paper-based exams.
IELTS Academic is available on all test dates, while IELTS General Training is offered on fewer dates.
Computer-delivered IELTS is available 7 days a week, with multiple slots per day across cities.
Candidates are advised to register 2 to 3 months in advance to secure preferred test dates and centres.

IELTS Exam Dates 2026: Computer Delivered

Computer-delivered IELTS test dates are available seven days a week, with up to three sessions per day, making it easier for a large number of test takers to find a convenient slot.

Most IELTS test centres provide multiple time slots throughout the day, allowing candidates to choose one that best fits their schedule. Typically, the available time slots are as follows:

Slot 1: 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Slot 2: 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Slot 3: 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM

NOTE: Please note that IELTS test centres may be closed on national holidays or regional festivals.

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31
February 2026	1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28.
March 2026	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31
April 2026	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30
May 2026	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31

IELTS Test Dates 2026: Paper-Delivered

The paper-delivered IELTS, conducted by IDP India, will be available on 48 fixed test dates in 2026, with exams held up to four times a month. Most paper-based IELTS tests are scheduled on Thursdays and Saturdays across IELTS test centres in India.

Since these dates are fixed nationwide, seats in major cities such as Delhi, Hyderabad, and Punjab tend to fill up quickly. Booking the test 3 to 4 weeks in advance helps secure a preferred date and test centre.

Key Points to Know:

Total test dates: 48 fixed paper-based IELTS dates in 2026
Test days: Mostly Thursdays and Saturdays
Availability: Same dates across all Indian test centres
Booking advice: Register at least 3–4 weeks in advance

Test Format and Results:

Exam format: Physical question paper and answer sheet
Speaking test: Conducted separately, up to 7 days before or after the main test
Result timeline: Paper-delivered IELTS results are released 13 calendar days after the test date

IELTS Exam Dates in India 2026: City-wise List

IELTS test dates vary by city, and availability differs across test centres. Your preferred city may not offer the same test dates as others. Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are conducted on the same day, while the Speaking test may be scheduled up to 7 days before or after the main exam.

Below are the available IELTS test dates for 2026, listed city-wise:

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Hyderabad

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Hyderabad in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Chennai

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Chennai in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Delhi

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Delhi in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Gurgaon

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Gurgaon in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Noida

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Noida in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Mumbai

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Mumbai in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Kolkata

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Kolkata in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Bengaluru

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Bengaluru in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Pune

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Pune in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Lucknow

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Lucknow in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Ahmedabad

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Ahmedabad in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Indore

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Indore in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Exam Dates 2026 for Chandigarh

Check out the IELTS Exam Dates for Chandigarh in 2026:

Month	IELTS Test Dates
January 2026	Computer-Based: January 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31. Paper-Based: January 10
February 2026	Computer-Based: February 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. Paper-Based: February 7, 21
March 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: March 7, 21
April 2026	Computer-Based: NA Paper-Based: April 11, 25

IELTS Test Dates 2026: Monthly Calendar

Plan ahead for your IELTS exam in 2026 with this monthly calendar of test dates. Stay organised and choose the perfect date to fit your preparation timeline and application deadlines:

IELTS Exam Dates in January 2026

IELTS Test Date	Test Type	IELTS Fees (INR)
Saturday, January 10, 2026	Academic and General Training	18,000

IELTS Exam Dates in February 2026

IELTS Test Date	Test Type	IELTS Fees (INR)
Saturday, February 7, 2026	Academic and General Training	18,000
Saturday, February 21, 2026	Academic and General Training	18,000

IELTS Exam Dates in March 2026

IELTS Test Date	Test Type	IELTS Fees (INR)
Saturday, March 7, 2026	Academic and General Training	18,000
Saturday, March 21, 2026	Academic and General Training	18,000

IELTS Exam Dates in April 2026

IELTS Test Date	Test Type	IELTS Fees (INR)
Saturday, April 11, 2026	Academic and General Training	18,000
Saturday, April 25, 2026	Academic and General Training	18,000

How to Select the Right IELTS Exam Date?

Selecting the perfect IELTS exam date is necessary to allow yourself ample preparation time and align with your application deadlines.

Here are some key factors to consider when making your decision:

Preparation Time: Choose a date that gives you enough time to thoroughly prepare for the test. Consider your current schedule, study load, and other commitments.
Application Deadlines: If you're applying to universities or institutions, ensure your exam date fits within their application deadlines. Factor in time for receiving your scores.
Availability of Slots: Check the available test dates in advance, as popular slots may fill up quickly. It's wise to book early to secure your preferred date.
Personal Schedule: Choose a date that doesn't clash with personal events or important commitments. Ensure you have a stress-free window to focus solely on your exam.

IELTS Test Dates: Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

Candidates who are unable to appear for their IELTS exam in 2026 can cancel or reschedule the test based on IDP and British Council rules in India. The refund or transfer eligibility depends on how early the request is made and the reason for cancellation.

IELTS Cancellation Rules 2026

More than 5 weeks before the test date: A refund is issued after deducting a 25% administrative fee
Less than 5 weeks before the test date: No refund is provided
No-show on test day: Treated as a cancellation with no refund

Exceptional Circumstances (Post-Test Requests)

Candidates facing serious medical conditions, bereavement, or compulsory military service can apply for a cancellation or transfer up to 5 calendar days after the test date.

Supporting documents are mandatory
Approval is not guaranteed and depends on the test centre’s decision

IELTS Rescheduling (Test Date Transfer) Policy

Test date transfers must be requested at least 5 weeks before the original test date
An applicable transfer fee is charged based on the test type
The new test date must be within 3 months of the original test date
Transfers requested within 5 weeks of the test date are not allowed, unless approved under exceptional circumstances

IELTS Transfer Fees in India (2026)

IELTS Test Type	Transfer Fee for IELTS (INR)
IELTS on Computer for UKVI	₹4,550
IELTS on Computer	₹4,500
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)	₹4,250
IELTS on Paper for UKVI	₹4,550
IELTS on Paper	₹4,500
One Skill Retake (OSR)	₹3,000

From the Desk of Yocket

Selecting the right IELTS exam date can make a significant difference in your preparation. It's important to factor in your study time, academic commitments, and personal life. A carefully planned date allows you to approach the exam with confidence, without the stress of last-minute preparation.

Yocket Prep offers tools that are designed to guide you through your IELTS journey. With study plans, practice materials, IELTS sample papers and expert tips, we ensure you have the resources you need to approach the IELTS with the right mindset and be well-prepared for success.