CELPIP exam in India: your fastest path to a 10+ score

Where to give CELPIP in India (all 45 centres), what it costs and how to book, answered in one place. Then practise with more than 4,000 questions in the real test format and more than 60 full mock exams, with AI scoring on every Writing and Speaking answer.

4.9 rating, trusted by 140K+ CELPIP test takers

Reviewed in by Matthew Zare, CELPIP Teacher

Proven & trusted
CELPIP practice platform

140K+

CELPIP test takers

4.9★

Average rating

2.8M+

Scores calculated

16.7M+

Questions answered

CELPIP guide

What is CELPIP? Full form and meaning

The CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) is a fully computer-based English test that IRCC, Canada's immigration department, accepts for permanent residence, Express Entry, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and citizenship. The CELPIP-General tests Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking in one sitting of just under three hours, and each score matches a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level.

Canadian PR, Express Entry and the PGWP

Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and the PGWP all accept the CELPIP-General, the version offered at every Indian centre. In 2024, Indian citizens received 43,004 Express Entry invitations, 43% of all 98,903 and the most of any country, and in 2025 about one in four new permanent residents was Indian (98,830 of 393,780).

Canadian citizenship

If you are 18 to 54, citizenship needs proof of CLB 4 in Listening and Speaking. The CELPIP-General results you sent with your PR application count even after they expire, and so does a diploma or transcript from a secondary or post-secondary programme taught in English. The shorter CELPIP-General LS (₹9,500) is offered in India only in Panjim, Goa, and Vadodara, Gujarat.

Australia, but not the UK

Australia's Department of Home Affairs accepts the CELPIP-General taken at a test centre on or after 7 August 2025; an earlier result does not count. UK visas do not accept CELPIP at all.

100%

computer-based

Under 3 hours

in one sitting

2 to 4 days

for results (business days)

2 years

validity for Express Entry

Test centres

Is CELPIP available in India? All 45 test centres

Yes. On 25 September 2026, celpip.ca listed 1,632 CELPIP sittings in India at 45 test centres in 37 cities, from 26 September 2026 to 24 January 2027, and none was sold out. Every CELPIP-General sitting costs ₹15,500. You book and pay online through the official CELPIP India page; test centres do not take registrations.

CELPIP test centres in India, by state (the states with the most interest on Google Trends first)
CityTest centreArea
BathindaCognibench Test ServicesAjit Road, Punjab
JalandharDAV CollegeMahatma Hans Raj Marg, Punjab
PatialaVision Language ExpertsLeela Bhawan Market, Punjab
ChandigarhSecure-Net TechnologiesSector 35-B, Chandigarh
AhmedabadPrometric TestingPrahlad Nagar, Gujarat
AhmedabadSwarrnim Startup Innovation UniversityVirat Nagar, Gujarat
AhmedabadThe English AdvantageUniversity Area, Gujarat
GandhinagarStorm Edugo ConsultingSiddharth Law College, Sector 16, Gujarat
JamnagarVeer Digital SolutionsKhodiyar Colony, Gujarat
LunawadaNetra InfotechModasa Highway, Gujarat
MehsanaAkhil Anjana Kelvani MandalMehsana-Ahmedabad Highway, Gujarat
PalanpurWebplus DigitechDeesa-Palanpur Highway, Gujarat
PatanD.A. Patel Institute of CollegesChanasma, Gujarat
RajkotShri Labhubhai Trivedi Institute of Engineering and TechnologyKalawad Road, Gujarat
SuratBhagwan Mahavir UniversityVIP Road, Vesu, Gujarat
VadodaraHarshiv ConsultantsSayajiganj, Gujarat (also CELPIP-General LS)
New DelhiCPS GlobalJanakpuri, Delhi
New DelhiOSS EducationWazirpur Industrial Area, Delhi
HyderabadPrometric TestingNanakramguda, Telangana
HyderabadSattvaQ IT SolutionsBanjara Hills, Telangana
GurgaonPrometric TestingSohna Road, Haryana
KochiForun Testing and Educational ServicesEdappally, Kerala
KozhikodeForun Educational and Testing ServicesWest Nadakkavu, Kerala
ThiruvananthapuramMarian Engineering CollegeKazhakuttam, Kerala
ChennaiPrometric TestingKodambakkam, Tamil Nadu
PuducherryiLogic TechMG Road area, Puducherry
MumbaiPrometric TestingGoregaon West, Maharashtra
MumbaiThe English AdvantageMalad West, Maharashtra
PuneiConcept TechnologiesPimple Saudagar, Maharashtra
VisakhapatnamSattvaQ IT SolutionsMadhurawada, Andhra Pradesh
RajahmundrySattvaQ IT SolutionsA.V. Apparao Road, Andhra Pradesh
BengaluruPear AcademyUlsoor Road, Karnataka
BengaluruPrometric TestingWhitefield, Karnataka
BengaluruThe English AdvantageNagashetty Halli, Karnataka
BengaluruTvaksa TechnologiesJP Nagar 2nd Phase, Karnataka
Greater NoidaGlobal Institute of Information TechnologyKnowledge Park I, Uttar Pradesh
LucknowSchool of Management SciencesSultanpur Road, Uttar Pradesh
IndorePatel College of Science and TechnologyRalamandal, Madhya Pradesh (no dates after 30 September when we checked)
KolkataPrometric TestingSalt Lake Sector V, West Bengal
JaipurYagyavalkya Institute of TechnologySitapura, Rajasthan
UdaipurVidya Bhawan Govindram Seksaria Teacher CollegeFatehpura, Rajasthan
CuttackSri Sri UniversityGodisahi, Odisha
PanjimGlobal InfotechPatto, Goa (also CELPIP-General LS)
GuwahatiNEF Law CollegeChristian Basti, Assam
Naya RaipurITM University RaipurSector 40, Chhattisgarh

  • Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana: on Google Trends, Punjab shows more interest in CELPIP than any other state. It has three centres, in Bathinda, Jalandhar and Patiala, and Chandigarh has one more; together they listed 183 sittings when we checked, but only Jalandhar had dates into December (Bathinda stopped at 19 November, Patiala at 25 November and Chandigarh at 31 October), so look again for later ones. There is no centre in Amritsar, Ludhiana or Mohali: from Amritsar or Ludhiana the nearest centre is Jalandhar, and from Mohali it is Chandigarh. Haryana has one, Prometric in Gurgaon (Gurugram), with 11 dates to 19 December.

  • Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad: Bengaluru (Bangalore) has four centres, more than any other city, and 113 sittings, second only to Ahmedabad's 153. Delhi NCR also has four, with 148 sittings between them: two in New Delhi (Janakpuri and Wazirpur), one in Greater Noida and Prometric in Gurgaon. Mumbai has two, in Goregaon West and Malad West, with 107 sittings, and Pune has one, with 54. Hyderabad has two, in Nanakramguda and Banjara Hills, with 38.

  • Gujarat, Kerala and the rest of the South: Gujarat has the most centres, 12 in 10 cities, with 480 sittings listed to 24 January 2027. Kerala has three: Kochi, Kozhikode (dates only to 28 October when we checked) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). Andhra Pradesh has two, in Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry. Tamil Nadu has one, Prometric in Chennai, with 11 dates, while nearby Puducherry has 36.

  • Dates and timings: when we checked, every sitting fell between Wednesday and Sunday, none on a Monday or Tuesday. Start times depend on the centre, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. are the most common, and the official India page shows the time next to each date. All but one of the 37 cities had a sitting within two weeks, and none was sold out. Some centres list only a few weeks ahead, so if your date is not there yet, check again.

  • Booking, step by step: create an account from the official CELPIP India page; its Register Now buttons open celpip-registration.paragontesting.ca, the official registration site. Choose the CELPIP-General, not the LS, which is for citizenship only. For PR, Express Entry or the PGWP, the test purpose to pick is IRCC, "Permanent Residence (PR)/Temporary Residence (TR) in Canada". Enter your name and passport number exactly as they appear in your passport, then pay ₹15,500. Our CELPIP registration guide walks through each screen.

  • On test day: bring the original, valid passport you registered with. Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, driving licences and voter IDs are not accepted, and photocopies are refused. Also bring your test confirmation email, printed or on your phone. Arrive 45 minutes before your start time: check-in closes 15 minutes before the test, and latecomers cannot sit it and get no refund or transfer. The centre gives you paper for notes (you cannot bring your own) and a headset with a microphone. Do not submit your passport for visa stamping, renewal or anything else until after your test; if it expires before your test date, renew it before you book. The rules are on the official test day page and FAQs.

A trip to another city for the test costs time and money. Take a full CELPIP mock test first to check that you are already at the level you need, so you only book once.

Fees

CELPIP exam fees in India (2026)

The CELPIP-General costs ₹15,500 at every centre in India, less than PTE Core (₹18,900) or IELTS General Training (₹19,000). The CELPIP-General LS, for citizenship only, costs ₹9,500 and runs only in Panjim and Vadodara. You pay online when you book, by UPI, RuPay, net banking, or a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card.

English test fees in India, 2026
TestFee in IndiaAccepted for
CELPIP-General₹15,500Canadian PR, Express Entry, PGWP, citizenship; Australia
CELPIP-General LS₹9,500, Panjim and Vadodara onlyCanadian citizenship only
PTE Core (Pearson)₹18,900Canadian PR, Express Entry, PGWP, citizenship
IELTS General Training (IDP)₹19,000Canadian PR, Express Entry, PGWP, citizenship; Australia

Fees checked on 25 September 2026 on celpip.ca, IDP India and Pearson; the total shown before you pay is the one that counts. CELPIP takes payments in India through CC Avenue (UPI, RuPay cards, net banking, wallets and EMI options from Indian banks) or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, the full amount on one card; your statement shows "Paragon Testing Ent", "PROMETRIC.COM" or "ccavenue.com/charge". If the payment fails, the booking stays pending: pay it from the cart in your CELPIP account within 24 hours. If you cancel at least 9 calendar days before the test you get 50% of the fee back (nothing after that), and moving to another date at least 9 days ahead costs CA$50 plus tax. For other costs, see our CELPIP cost guide; its refund and transfer rules (7 days, first transfer free) are for tests taken in Canada, not India.

CELPIP, IELTS or PTE

Is CELPIP easier than IELTS or PTE?

None of the three is officially easier: IRCC converts CELPIP, IELTS and PTE Core results to the same CLB levels, so what differs is the format. CELPIP is fully computer-based, with a single North American accent and recorded Speaking; IELTS has a live Speaking examiner; PTE Core is a two-hour test on a computer. In India, CELPIP is also the cheapest of the three.

CELPIP-General compared with IELTS General Training for candidates in India
CELPIP-GeneralIELTS General Training
FormatFully computer-basedOn computer, or Listening and Reading on computer with Writing on paper
SpeakingYou record your answers on the computer, with no examinerLive interview with an examiner, in person or by video call at a test centre
AccentsA single North American accentSeveral: British, Australian, North American and others
Scores0 to 12; from 3 up, the same as the CLB levelBands 0 to 9, converted to CLB levels
Fee in India₹15,500₹19,000 (IDP), the same with Writing on paper
Centres in India45 centres in 37 citiesIDP: centres in 75 cities
One-skill retakeNot offered: every sitting covers all four skillsOne Skill Retake (₹12,650), not accepted by IRCC for PR
UK visasNot acceptedOnly the separate IELTS for UKVI

CELPIP to IELTS score conversion

Under IRCC's official equivalency, a CELPIP 7 in all four skills matches IELTS 6.0. From CLB 8 up, IELTS asks more of Listening than of the other skills: CLB 8 needs 7.5 in IELTS Listening, while CELPIP needs an 8.

CELPIP and CLB levels with their IELTS General Training equivalents
CELPIP / CLBReadingWritingListeningSpeaking
108.07.58.57.5
97.07.08.07.0
86.56.57.56.5
76.06.06.06.0
65.05.55.55.5
54.05.05.05.0
43.54.04.54.0

Based on IRCC's official equivalency chart, which stops at CLB 10. The full two-way comparison is on our CELPIP vs IELTS page.

CELPIP scores and CLB

CELPIP score chart: the CLB level you need for Canada PR

For Express Entry you need at least CLB 7 in all four skills for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and for Canadian Experience Class TEER 0 or 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3. Each CELPIP score equals the same CLB level (a CELPIP 7 is CLB 7, and the highest is 12), and IRCC checks every skill on its own. On celpip.ca's approximate chart, a 7 takes about 24 to 28 correct answers out of 38 in Reading and 27 to 31 in Listening, and a 9 about 31 to 33 in Reading and 33 to 35 in Listening; the bands can vary slightly from one test to another. Every Reading level is in our CELPIP Reading score chart.

Minimum language scores for Canadian immigration programmes
ProgrammeMinimum scoreDetails
Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)CLB 7In all four skills
Canadian Experience Class (CEC), TEER 0 and 1 jobsCLB 7In all four skills
Canadian Experience Class (CEC), TEER 2 and 3 jobsCLB 5In all four skills
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)CLB 5 and CLB 45 in Listening and Speaking, 4 in Reading and Writing
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)CLB 7 or CLB 57 for any university programme, 5 for college and other programmes, in all four skills
Canadian citizenship (ages 18 to 54)CLB 4Listening and Speaking only
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)Usually CLB 4 to 7Depends on the province and the programme

How many CRS points is each CLB level worth?

In Express Entry, going from CLB 7 to CLB 9 in all four skills adds 56 language points for an applicant without a spouse (from 68 to 124). Language points stop rising at CLB 10. Skill transferability points also double at CLB 9: for example, language combined with a master's degree (or two post-secondary credentials, one of them three years or longer) rises from 25 to 50 points.

CRS points for the first official language by CLB level
CLB levelPer skill, no spousePer skill, with spouseAll 4 skills, no spouse
CLB 4 or 56624
CLB 69836
CLB 7171668
CLB 8232292
CLB 93129124
CLB 10 or higher3432136

"With spouse" means your spouse or common-law partner comes with you to Canada and is not already a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Source: CRS criteria on canada.ca; to work out your own total, use IRCC's official CRS score calculator. For CRS points on your Indian degree (and to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program) you also need an Educational Credential Assessment from a designated organisation such as World Education Services (WES). More detail by programme: CELPIP scores for Canadian immigration.

Test format

CELPIP exam pattern and syllabus: four skills in one sitting

The CELPIP-General takes just under three hours, all on a computer, in one sitting: Listening 46 to 55 minutes (38 questions), Reading 43 to 56 minutes (38 questions), Writing 53 minutes (2 tasks) and Speaking 15 minutes (8 tasks). Each part is explained in our CELPIP test format guide.

CELPIP-General sections with their time and structure
SkillTimeStructure
Listening46 to 55 minutes6 parts, 38 multiple-choice questions
Reading43 to 56 minutes4 parts, 38 multiple-choice questions
Writing53 minutes2 tasks: an email and a survey response, 150 to 200 words each
Speaking15 minutes8 tasks, recorded on the computer, with no examiner

Tips for Indian candidates, section by section

Listening

Tip: Each recording plays once, and the questions come only after it, so reading the questions ahead, a habit from IELTS, does not work here. Note names, numbers, times and what people decide on the paper the centre gives you, and do not try to catch every word.

Reading

Tip: Candidates often run short of time. For each question, find the part of the passage it points to, choose the option the whole passage supports, and move on. Click an answer for every question before you move on: on many Reading parts you cannot go back.

Writing

Tip: You type both tasks. The screen has a spell-check, but it will not fix a wrong word or a missing a or the. In a friendly email, contractions such as I'm and don't sound natural.

Speaking

Tip: There is no examiner and no face-to-face interview: each of the eight tasks appears on the screen, and you answer out loud into the headset microphone while the computer records you. Other candidates may be talking in the same room, and the headset does not shut them out completely. Practise against a timer with some background noise, speak at your normal volume, and keep talking until the time runs out.

For Indian candidates

6 habits that cost Indian candidates CELPIP marks

Your Indian accent is not scored, and Indian English is not wrong. Candidates lose marks on habits that do not fit a Canadian test built on everyday tasks, some of them learnt for other exams, and CELTESTPIP's AI feedback points many of them out in your answers.

  1. Coaching templates and memorised openers

    The habit: Openers such as In this modern era of globalisation and a template learnt word for word sound robotic, and they do not answer the task in front of you. Every test taker signs a contract to give spontaneous, original answers, and CELPIP can cancel scores for answers that are not.

    The fix: Learn a structure (your answer, two reasons, an example and a closing line) and fill it with the details of the task in front of you.

  2. Dropping word endings

    The habit: In fast speech, the -s and -ed at the end of a word are easy to swallow, and then the listener cannot tell the tense or who is doing what: Yesterday I walk to work sounds like the present.

    The fix: Finish every ending, above all when you talk about the past (Speaking Task 2): I walked, she likes, we visited. Record yourself and listen back.

  3. Speaking very softly

    The habit: With others talking in the same room, some candidates drop to a near whisper. A soft, rushed answer is harder to follow on the recording.

    The fix: Speak at your normal volume into the headset microphone, at a steady pace, as if the listener were sitting across the table.

  4. Putting on a Western accent

    The habit: Some candidates switch to an American or British accent on test day. A borrowed accent tends to slip under pressure, and that makes your speech harder to follow. Raters listen for clear, easy-to-follow speech, and CELPIP says they do not consider your accent.

    The fix: Speak in your own accent, clearly and at a steady pace. Slow down on names and numbers, and finish every sentence.

  5. Indian English phrases a Canadian reader may not know

    The habit: Prepone, revert (for reply), passed out of college and I have a doubt are everyday English in India, but a CELPIP email is written to a Canadian reader, who may not know them or may read them differently: in Canada, passed out means fainted, and a doubt means you think something may not be true. In a timed task, slips such as discuss about or a missing article (He is teacher) also creep in, and those are errors in Indian English too.

    The fix: Write move the meeting earlier, reply, graduated from college, I have a question, discuss the plan and He is a teacher.

  6. Typing with one or two fingers

    The habit: Writing is two typed tasks of 150 to 200 words each in 53 minutes. Candidates who type with one or two fingers spend the time hunting for keys and have none left to check their work.

    The fix: Practise timed typing on a keyboard before test day. The screen has a word counter and a spell-check, so spend the time you save rereading for grammar.

English tests for Canada

Which English tests does Canada accept for PR?

For permanent residence, including Express Entry, IRCC accepts three English tests: the CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core (accepted since 2024). IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are not accepted for PR. If you speak French, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted too.

English tests IRCC accepts for permanent residence
TestAccepted for PRNot accepted
CELPIPCELPIP-GeneralCELPIP-General LS (citizenship only)
IELTSGeneral TrainingAcademic, and IELTS One Skill Retake
PTEPTE CorePTE Academic

Source: IRCC's list of accepted language tests. For Express Entry, results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you apply.

Sample questions

CELPIP sample questions with answers

Try these two, then carry on with more than 4,000 practice questions, including Listening and Writing.

CELPIP Reading sample question

Reading, Part 1: Reading Correspondence

Hi Arjun, the building manager just emailed to say the water will be shut off on Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon for pipe repairs. I'm working from home that day, so I'll fill a few large bottles the night before. If you need some, just knock on my door. Meera

Why is Meera writing to Arjun?

  1. a)To ask him to repair the pipes
  2. b)To warn him about the water shut-off and offer help
  3. c)To invite him to work from home on Thursday
  4. d)To complain about the building manager
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: b) To warn him about the water shut-off and offer help

Meera passes on the notice about Thursday's water shut-off and offers water if Arjun needs some. Option a is the trap: the word repairs is in the message, but nobody asks Arjun to repair anything; the building manager only announced the repairs. When a question asks why someone is writing, look for the whole message, not a repeated word.

CELPIP Speaking sample task

Speaking, Task 1: Giving Advice

Your friend is moving to a new city for work and cannot decide whether to rent an apartment downtown or in the suburbs. Give your friend advice.

30 seconds to prepare, 90 seconds to speak

Tip: Keep a simple shape: give your main advice in the first sentence, back it with two reasons and an example, and close with a short summary. Practise the shape, not a script; raters notice memorised answers quickly.

Practise Reading Part 1

AI practice

Everything you need to crack the real test

Three tools for faster, smarter preparation: full mock exams, instant AI scoring and a clear explanation for every answer.

Mock Exams

Practice that feels just like the real CELPIP

Take full-length mock exams built to match the official test, with the same format and timing, scored against the official criteria. Walk into test day feeling ready, not nervous.

CELTESTPIP mock exam screen in the CELPIP test format, with a timer and questions
AI Scoring

AI feedback that feels like a real tutor

Get feedback that is natural, encouraging and built around the official CELPIP scoring criteria, so you know exactly what to fix and how to improve.

CELTESTPIP AI scoring with feedback on CELPIP Speaking and Writing answers
Explanations

Detailed explanations that make you smarter

See why every answer is right or wrong, with a clear, in-depth explanation. You learn faster and remember more on test day.

CELTESTPIP answer explanations for CELPIP Listening and Reading questions

3 steps

How to prepare for CELPIP online in India

Prepare in three steps. Pick one skill, or take a full mock exam in the real CELPIP format and timing. Get your Writing and Speaking scored in seconds, so you know your CLB level. Then read the explanations, work on your weakest skill and track your scores until you are ready to book. Start from anywhere in India.

01

Pick a skill or take a mock exam

Practise Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking on their own, or take a full mock exam with the real CELPIP format and timing.

02

Practise and get instant AI scoring

Record Speaking answers, write emails and survey responses, or answer multiple-choice questions. The AI scores your work in seconds and shows you exactly where to improve.

03

Review feedback and track progress

Read the explanation for every question, compare your answers with sample answers at each CLB level, and watch your scores climb.

CELPIP courses and other resources

CELPIP courses

Step-by-step strategy for every section of the test, with free lessons.

Writing and Speaking templates

Answer structures for all 10 Writing and Speaking tasks, free, with nothing to memorise word for word.

CELPIP vocabulary

Word lists for every task, each with an English definition, an example, pronunciation and a usage tip.

Classes with a teacher

Find a CELPIP teacher, or invite your own to follow your progress.

CELPIP in India: frequently asked questions

Short answers to what candidates in India ask most about CELPIP.

Can I give CELPIP in India?

Yes. When we checked on 25 September 2026, celpip.ca listed 1,632 sittings at 45 centres in 37 cities, from Punjab (Bathinda, Jalandhar and Patiala) and Chandigarh to Kerala, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Guwahati; Gujarat has the most, with 12. CELPIP has run in India since its first sitting in Chandigarh in September 2018. You book online, not at a centre. celpip.ca's India overview still says 25 centres in 15 cities, but the date listing is the live one.

What is the CELPIP exam fee in India? Is GST extra?

The CELPIP-General costs ₹15,500 at every centre in India, and the CELPIP-General LS, for citizenship only, costs ₹9,500 (checked on celpip.ca on 25 September 2026). We could not confirm whether GST is added on top: celpip.ca shows no GST line and does not say either way, and websites in India disagree. Check the total on the payment screen before you pay: that is the amount charged. For comparison, IELTS General Training costs ₹19,000 at IDP and PTE Core ₹18,900.

How do I pay for CELPIP in India? Can I pay by UPI?

Yes. CELPIP takes payments in India through CC Avenue, which accepts UPI, RuPay cards, net banking, wallets and EMI options from Indian banks; Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards work too, with the full amount on one card. If money left your account but the booking still shows as pending, check your CELPIP account and email [email protected] with the transaction details before you pay again. Never pay anyone who offers a seat, a "leaked paper" or a score certificate on WhatsApp or social media: CELPIP treats a false score report as cheating and can report it to the government agency you apply to.

When are CELPIP exam dates in India, and how do I book?

When we checked on 25 September 2026, every sitting fell between Wednesday and Sunday, none on a Monday or Tuesday. Dates were listed to 24 January 2027, none was sold out, and 36 of the 37 cities had a date within two weeks. Choose your centre and date on the official CELPIP India page, pick the CELPIP-General and, for PR, Express Entry or the PGWP, the IRCC "Permanent Residence (PR)/Temporary Residence (TR)" test purpose. Enter your name and passport number exactly as in your passport. Our registration guide shows each screen.

Is there a CELPIP customer care number in India?

No. CELPIP's customer service is in Canada, and its contact page lists only Canadian numbers. 1-800-958-5186 is toll-free only within North America, so from India call +1 778-327-6854 (Vancouver) as an international call, or email [email protected], which is usually easier. The lines are open Monday to Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, which is about 6:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. in India (an hour later from November to mid-March), and are closed on Canadian public holidays. Test centres do not handle bookings, so contact CELPIP about a booking, payment or transfer, and never log in or pay through a link someone sends you on WhatsApp.

Can I give CELPIP online or at home in India?

No. The test is fully on a computer, but CELPIP's official FAQ says it must be taken in person at one of its test centres, so there is no online or at-home CELPIP in India.

Is the CELPIP test hard?

It depends on the level you need. CELPIP has no pass mark: each skill gets its own level, and your programme sets the minimum, such as CLB 7 in all four skills for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The tasks are everyday Canadian situations (emails, notices, schedules and conversations), not academic texts. What catches most candidates is the clock: Reading is tight on time, each Listening recording plays only once, and other candidates in the room may be talking while you speak. Take a full mock test under test timing to see which skill needs the most work.

CELPIP, IELTS or PTE Core: which is easier?

None of them is officially easier: IRCC converts all three to the same CLB levels. The format is what differs. CELPIP uses a single North American accent, multiple-choice Listening and Reading, and recorded Speaking with no examiner; IELTS has a live Speaking examiner; PTE Core is a two-hour test on a computer. In India, CELPIP also costs the least (₹15,500, against ₹18,900 for PTE Core and ₹19,000 for IELTS). Try a practice test in each format and pick the one you are most comfortable with.

I am stuck at 6.5 in IELTS. Will CELPIP be easier?

The format changes, the standard does not. IELTS 6.5 in Reading, Writing or Speaking equals CLB 8; CLB 9 needs 7.0 (8.0 in Listening), and on CELPIP it needs a 9. Going from CLB 8 to CLB 9 adds 8 CRS points per skill for an applicant without a spouse. IELTS One Skill Retake (₹12,650) is not accepted by IRCC for PR, and a CELPIP sitting always covers all four skills, so take a full CELPIP mock exam first to see where you stand.

Which ID do I need for CELPIP in India? Can I use Aadhaar?

Only your passport (or a refugee travel document). Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, driving licences and voter IDs are not accepted. It must be the original, valid passport you registered with, and the name and passport number must match your registration exactly. If your passport shows only one name, email [email protected] before you register to ask how to enter it. Arrive 45 minutes early: check-in closes 15 minutes before the test.

How long do CELPIP results take, and how long are they valid?

Scores are usually posted to your CELPIP account 2 to 4 business days after the test (CELPIP's India page says 3 to 4). For Express Entry they must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you apply, so time your test to your application. For citizenship, IRCC accepts results even after they expire.

What CELPIP score do I need for Canada PR?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program needs at least CLB 7 (a CELPIP 7) in all four skills. Each level above that, up to CLB 10, adds CRS points: going from 7 to 9 in all four skills adds 56 language points for an applicant without a spouse. CLB 9 in all four skills also raises your skill transferability points when you have a post-secondary credential or foreign work experience.

What is the CELPIP pass mark, and does IRCC use the average score?

There is none: CELPIP is not pass or fail. Each skill gets its own level from 0 to 12, and the programme you apply to sets the minimum, for example CLB 7 in all four skills for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. IRCC does not average the levels, so 9, 9, 9 and 6 does not qualify for it.

Can I use CELPIP for a Canada study visa now that SDS has ended?

The Student Direct Stream ended on 8 November 2024. For admission, ask your college or university which English tests it accepts: each institution sets its own requirements. After you graduate, the Post-Graduation Work Permit accepts the CELPIP-General: CLB 7 in all four skills after any university programme, CLB 5 after a college or other non-university programme, with results less than two years old.

Does CELPIP have spell check, and do I need fast typing?

Yes, it has a spell-check: the official guidebook says the test screen has a timer, a word counter and a spell-check. It checks spelling only, so it will not catch a wrong word or a missing a or the. Ordinary typing is enough, but you type both Writing answers, 150 to 200 words each, in 53 minutes, so practise timed answers on a keyboard and use the word counter to stay within the limit.

Do I need CELPIP coaching, or can I prepare online?

Coaching is optional: CELPIP does not require it. What matters is timed practice in the real format and feedback on your Writing and Speaking. CELTESTPIP gives you both online, from anywhere in India, and if you want a person to guide you, you can find a CELPIP teacher or invite your own to follow your progress.

How soon can I retake CELPIP?

Plan a month between attempts: CELPIP's India page says that if you register for more than one test, every sitting must be at least 30 calendar days apart, or CELPIP can cancel the extra registration. There is no single-skill retake: each sitting covers all four skills. Results come 2 to 4 business days after the test, so check them and work on your weakest skill before you book again.

Is there a free CELPIP practice test?

Yes. CELPIP itself gives free official practice tests on celpip.ca (you unlock them with a short form), and CELTESTPIP has free CELPIP practice tests for every section plus 3 free credits to score your Writing and Speaking with AI, with no card needed. More than 60 full mock exams and unlimited practice come with Pro Membership.

Ready to start practising for CELPIP?

More than 140,000 CELPIP test takers have prepared with CELTESTPIP. Start with free practice in every section, no card needed.

About CELTESTPIP

CELTESTPIP is an online CELPIP preparation platform with more than 4,000 practice questions, more than 60 full CELPIP mock exams and sample answers at every CLB level. Your Speaking and Writing answers are scored with AI feedback in seconds, and every Listening and Reading question comes with a full explanation. Whether you are aiming for Canadian permanent residence, citizenship or an Australian visa, you practise with the same format and timing as the real test.

About the author

Matthew Zare
Matthew Zare

CELPIP Teacher

Strategic CELPIP preparation for Express Entry candidates.

View profile and articles

Sources

Facts checked on

This page is for information only; fees, centres and rules change, so confirm them on the official CELPIP and IRCC sites before you book. CELTESTPIP is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Prometric or Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc., the developers and owners of the CELPIP test.