India Retires Paper Based IELTS from September 2026 and Not Everything Is Going Digital 

Candidates planning to take IELTS in India will soon have a different set of test options to choose from. From September 2026, Paper based IELTS will no longer be available as one of the regular test formats across the country. The update marks one of the most significant changes to test delivery in India in recent years and will affect candidates booking their tests from September onwards. 

While the change marks the end of a long-standing testing option, it is not the complete shift to an all-digital experience that many candidates might expect. Instead, the computer based format will become the standard option, changing how the test is taken without changing the examination itself. 

Although the computer based format will become the new standard, candidates who prefer writing by hand will still have an alternative. The official IELTS on Computer with Writing on Paper format allows candidates to complete the Listening and Reading sections on a computer while completing the Writing section on paper. The option is designed for those who are more comfortable handwriting their responses. 

Another familiar part of the test is also staying the same. The Speaking test will continue to be conducted face to face with a certified examiner, with no changes to the interview format or assessment criteria. 

Regardless of the format they choose, candidates will continue to take the same examination. The question types, test duration, marking criteria, band score system, certificate and international recognition all remain unchanged. 

Candidates who still wish to take Paper based IELTS have only a few opportunities remaining before the transition begins. The final paper based test dates in India are 25 July 2026, 6 August 2026, and 22 August 2026. After these dates, new registrations will move to the available computer based formats announced by IDP Education. 

For students planning to study abroad, skilled professionals applying for migration and others who need an English language test, the update changes how the examination is delivered rather than what it assesses. Candidates planning to book their test from September 2026 should review the available formats and choose the option that best suits their preferences. 

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/study-abroad/ielts-shifts-to-computer-based-format-from-september-2026-10789035/lite/