Yes. CELPIP-General has been offered in India since 2018, and CELPIP lists 25 test centres in 15 cities on its India page; CELPIP-General LS, the listening and speaking version, is offered in Canada only. That means anyone in India who needs CELPIP for Canadian permanent residence can sit the full CELPIP-General test without travelling abroad.
This guide covers how CELPIP came to India, where you can take it, the booking rules that apply only to Indian test centres, how results are delivered, and whether CELPIP is accepted for Canada PR, citizenship and Australian visas. Every rule links to CELPIP, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
CELPIP in India at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can I take CELPIP in India? | Yes, CELPIP-General |
| Since when? | 2018; the first sitting was on 15 September 2018 in Chandigarh |
| How many centres? | CELPIP lists 25 test centres in 15 cities |
| Can I take CELPIP-General LS in India? | No, LS is offered in Canada only |
| Fee in India | Shown during registration |
| Cancel or transfer deadline in India | 9 calendar days before your test |
| Gap between two sittings in India | At least 30 days |
| Results | Online, usually within 2–4 business days (some CELPIP pages say 3–4) |
| Accepted for Canada PR? | Yes, CELPIP-General is accepted for Express Entry |
Can I take CELPIP in India? A short history
CELPIP has been available in India since 2018. CELPIP's own announcement, CELPIP now available in India, records the first test sitting on 15 September 2018 in Chandigarh.
Coverage has grown since then. CELPIP's current India page lists "25 test centers in 15 cities", and the India country page lists Prometric test centres in cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Gurgaon. If you come across an older CELPIP page or a third-party list that names only a handful of cities, treat the current India page and the location search at registration as the up-to-date source.
The Prometric name reflects who runs the test today. CELPIP was developed by Paragon Testing Enterprises, which started at the University of British Columbia and is now part of Prometric. According to CELPIP's about page, "In 2021, Paragon Testing Enterprises was acquired by Prometric Canada."
CELPIP test centres in India
CELPIP-General is offered at test centres in many Indian cities (CELPIP lists 25 centres in 15 cities). The Prometric centres named on the India country page include ones in:
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Kolkata
- Gurgaon
The first Indian sitting, in 2018, was held in Chandigarh.
This is not a complete list, and centres can be added or changed. The reliable way to see what is open near you, and on which dates, is to start a registration on celpip.ca and use the location search. India is one of 41 countries in that search.
The CELPIP tests that IRCC accepts are taken at a test centre. You sit the whole test on a computer in one session, so plan to be at the centre for the full test plus check-in.
Which CELPIP test can you take in India?
There are two CELPIP tests, and only one of them is offered in India.
| Test | What it covers | Main use | Offered in India? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CELPIP-General | Listening, reading, writing and speaking | Canadian PR, Australian visas, professional designations | Yes |
| CELPIP-General LS | Listening and speaking only | Canadian citizenship | No, Canada only |
The CELPIP-General page describes it as the test for IRCC permanent residence, Australian visas and professional designations. The CELPIP-General LS page describes LS as the citizenship test, and CELPIP's Test Taker Guidebook (July 2026) states that LS is available in Canada only.
What is CELPIP? A quick overview
CELPIP, the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, is "a general English language proficiency test", in the words of CELPIP's test overview. It is delivered on a computer in one sitting, with a personal timer, a word counter and spell-check.
CELPIP-General takes just under 3 hours (CELPIP lists about 2 hours 50 minutes) and runs in this order:
| Component | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 46–55 minutes | 6 parts, 38 questions |
| Reading | 43–56 minutes | 4 parts, 38 questions |
| Writing | 53 minutes | 2 tasks: an email and a survey response |
| Speaking | 15 minutes | 8 tasks |
There is no scheduled break. CELPIP's test day information says "Your test time does not stop for any reason, including washroom breaks." For more on the test itself, see what CELPIP is and the full CELPIP overview.
Booking CELPIP in India: fees and policies
CELPIP fees in India
CELPIP shows the price for Indian test centres during registration. We could not find a published rupee figure on CELPIP's site, so we do not quote one here. The Canadian prices on CELPIP's pages come with the note "This is the Canadian price, international pricing will vary." The figure on your registration screen is the one that applies. Our CELPIP test fee guide explains the Canadian figures and why CELPIP's pages list several of them.
Cancel and transfer rules that apply in India
India has its own policy windows, set out on CELPIP's India country page:
- Cancellation and transfer: requests must be made at least 9 calendar days before your test. The general CELPIP policies page uses 7 days, so do not rely on the general rule if you are booked in India.
- Retakes: test sessions in India must be at least 30 days apart. The general policy only blocks booking more than one session within 5 calendar days, so the Indian gap is much longer. Factor it into your plan if you think you might need a second attempt before an Express Entry deadline.
For how transfers work in general, including fees and what to do inside the deadline, see can you reschedule CELPIP.
Arrive on time
Check-in closes 15 minutes before the test. CELPIP's policies say that if you arrive late you are denied entry and receive no refund or transfer, and the same applies if you do not bring valid ID. Plan your travel to the centre with a margin, especially in a large city.
Getting your CELPIP results in India
Results are released online, not at the test centre. CELPIP's test results page says scores appear in your CELPIP Account usually within 2–4 business days after your test date (some CELPIP pages say 3–4).
Your Official Score Report is a PDF you download from your account. The results page states that "hard copy score reports have been discontinued", so you will not receive a printed report by post in India.
Each ability gets its own CELPIP level, and CELPIP levels match CLB levels one-to-one from level 3 to level 12. A CELPIP 7 in reading is CLB 7 in reading. The CELPIP score chart explains the levels in detail.
Is CELPIP accepted for Canada PR?
Yes. CELPIP-General is one of three English tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry, alongside IELTS General Training and PTE Core, according to IRCC's language test page. CELPIP-General is the version offered in India, so it is the one Indian applicants book. CELPIP-General LS is not on the Express Entry list.
Three rules from IRCC matter most for Indian applicants:
- Results must be recent. Your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and again when you submit your application for permanent residence. CELPIP keeps your score report available for 5 years, but that is not the same as IRCC validity.
- Each ability counts separately. The Federal Skilled Worker Program requires CLB 7 in all four abilities, and below CLB 7 in any one ability means you are not eligible for that program.
- The level number is the CLB number. IRCC's equivalency table lists CELPIP-General levels 4 to 10 and above as equal to CLB 4 to 10 and above, so there is no conversion step.
Other programs set other minimums, and higher levels earn more Comprehensive Ranking System points. Our CELPIP and CLB for Express Entry guide covers the program minimums and CRS points.
Timing is worth thinking about from India in particular. With the 30-day gap between Indian sittings and a 2-year validity window that must cover both your profile and your PR application, booking too early can mean retesting later, and booking too late leaves little room for a retake.
Is CELPIP accepted for Canadian immigration beyond PR?
CELPIP is accepted for Canadian citizenship too. IRCC's help centre lists CELPIP General, CELPIP General-LS, IELTS General Training and PTE Core as accepted English tests for citizenship.
The catch for anyone in India is that CELPIP-General LS, the shorter citizenship test, is offered in Canada only. If you are in India and need a language test for a citizenship application, the CELPIP option open to you is CELPIP-General. IRCC's citizenship test results page asks for CELPIP-General level 4 or higher in listening and speaking (for tests taken on or after 1 April 2014), and citizenship accepts results even if they have expired. See CELPIP score for citizenship for the details.
Is CELPIP accepted outside Canada?
Australia accepts CELPIP General taken at a test centre on or after 7 August 2025, according to the Department of Home Affairs; CELPIP Online is not accepted. Read more in is CELPIP accepted in Australia.
CELPIP vs IELTS for test takers in India
Both CELPIP-General and IELTS General Training are accepted for Express Entry, but CELPIP levels map to CLB one-to-one while IELTS bands go through IRCC's chart, where listening needs a higher band than the other skills from CLB 8 upward. CELPIP is also taken entirely on a computer in one sitting, so the better choice depends on how you test best and which centres and dates suit you; our CELPIP vs IELTS comparison sets out the differences.
Preparing for CELPIP from India
Wherever you sit the test, the format is the same, so preparation looks the same too:
- Find your weakest ability first. IRCC minimums apply to each ability, so one low score can decide eligibility.
- Practise on a computer, against the clock. The test is computer-delivered and the timer does not stop.
- Leave room for a retake. In India that means at least 30 days between sittings, plus time for results, usually within 2–4 business days (some CELPIP pages say 3–4).
You can practise under timed conditions with PrepAmigo mock tests or work through individual tasks in the question bank, and the CELPIP preparation guide gives a fuller study plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is CELPIP available in India?
Yes. CELPIP-General has been offered in India since 2018, and CELPIP lists 25 test centres in 15 cities. CELPIP-General LS is offered in Canada only.
Can I take CELPIP in India for Canada PR?
Yes. CELPIP-General is one of the three English tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry, and it is the CELPIP test offered at Indian test centres.
Where are the CELPIP test centres in India?
CELPIP lists 25 centres in 15 cities. The India country page names Prometric centres in cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Gurgaon, and the first Indian sitting was held in Chandigarh. Use the location search on celpip.ca to see current centres and dates.
Is CELPIP valid for Canada PR?
Yes, CELPIP-General is valid for Express Entry. Your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your PR application.
Is CELPIP accepted for Canada immigration other than PR?
Yes. IRCC also accepts CELPIP for citizenship. CELPIP-General LS is the citizenship version, but it is offered in Canada only, so from India you would take CELPIP-General.
How much does CELPIP cost in India?
CELPIP shows the price for Indian test centres during registration, and we could not find a published rupee figure on its site, so check the amount when you book.
How soon can I retake CELPIP in India?
Test sessions in India must be at least 30 days apart. Cancellation and transfer requests in India must be made at least 9 calendar days before the test.
What is CELPIP in Canada?
CELPIP is a general English proficiency test developed in Canada. CELPIP-General is used for permanent residence and other purposes, and CELPIP-General LS covers listening and speaking for citizenship.
Sources and further reading
- CELPIP: India, for 25 test centres in 15 cities.
- CELPIP: India country page, for Prometric centres in Indian cities, the 9-day cancel and transfer window and the 30-day gap between sessions.
- CELPIP: CELPIP now available in India, for the first Indian sitting on 15 September 2018 in Chandigarh.
- CELPIP: About us, for Paragon Testing Enterprises and Prometric.
- CELPIP: CELPIP-General and CELPIP-General LS, for what each test is used for.
- CELPIP: Test overview, for the test definition, computer delivery and the international pricing note.
- CELPIP: Policies and forms, for the general cancel, transfer, retake and late arrival rules.
- CELPIP: Test day information, for the no-break rule.
- CELPIP: Test results, for results timing, PDF score reports and CELPIP to CLB levels.
- IRCC: Language test equivalency charts for Express Entry, for accepted Express Entry tests, CELPIP to CLB and the 2-year rule.
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Workers, for CLB 7 in all four abilities.
- IRCC: Accepted language tests (help centre), for the tests accepted for citizenship.
- IRCC: Citizenship language test results, for CELPIP citizenship minimums and expired results.
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: English language, for CELPIP General accepted from 7 August 2025 and CELPIP Online not accepted.