TEF Canada in India (2026): fees, dates, centres & how to book

India is one of the largest markets for the TEF Canada — and for good reason. French-language ability is one of the strongest levers left in Express Entry: NCLC 7 in all four skills can add up to 50 CRS points and unlocks French-language category draws, whose cut-offs have historically been far below general draws. Here's everything you need to actually book the exam in India in 2026: what it costs, where it runs, and how the process works.

One note before the details: fees, dates, and centre policies change without notice. Treat this guide as your orientation, and confirm the specifics with your chosen centre before paying.

How much does TEF Canada cost in India in 2026?

At most Alliance Française centres in India, the e-TEF Canada (all four compulsory sections) currently costs around ₹26,000, inclusive of 18% GST. Some centres list slightly different amounts — figures around ₹24,800–₹26,000 appear across centres — so check your centre's exact fee when you register.

Two things to know about the fee: it covers all four sections in one sitting (reading, listening, writing, speaking — you need all four for Express Entry), and it is generally non-refundable. If there's any chance your plans will change, read the centre's postponement policy before paying.

Where can you take TEF Canada in India?

The exam is run by the Alliance Française network. Centres offering the e-TEF include Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Bhopal and Trivandrum, among others. Availability varies by centre and by month — the afindia.org network site links to every local centre's exam page.

The exam is exclusively computer-based (that's what the 'e' in e-TEF means): you read and listen on screen, type your writing tasks, and complete the speaking section with an examiner. You must be over 16 years old to register.

TEF exam dates in India in 2026

Sessions run essentially year-round. Larger centres schedule the most: Mumbai, for example, lists roughly a dozen dates across June–December 2026, and Hyderabad runs close to bi-weekly sessions in peak months. Smaller centres may run monthly or less.

Registration typically closes at least four days before the test date, but many centres use booking windows that open months in advance — and popular dates fill up. Practical rule: pick your target exam date 6–8 weeks out, register the day the window opens, and use those weeks for timed mock-test preparation.

How to register, step by step

• •1. Choose your centre on the Alliance Française India network site (afindia.org) and open its exams page.
• •2. Pick a session date with an open registration window.
• •3. Register online (most centres) or in person, and pay the fee. Keep the confirmation email.
• •4. On exam day, bring the same valid photo ID (passport recommended) you used to register.
• •5. Results are typically issued within about four to six weeks — factor this into your Express Entry timeline.

How long are results valid?

For IRCC purposes, TEF Canada results are valid for two years from the results date. Plan backwards: your scores must still be valid when you submit your PR application, so don't test too early — but don't test before you're consistently hitting your target level in timed mocks either. A failed attempt costs you the full ₹26,000 again.

Before you book: know your target and test it

Most Express Entry candidates need NCLC 7 in all four skills (reading 207/300, listening 249/360, writing 310/450, speaking 310/450). Before spending ₹26,000, verify you're at that level under exam conditions: take full-length timed mock tests, check your estimated CLB band with a score calculator, and only book once your band holds at target across several attempts. The free practice test and the downloadable sample-test PDF on this site are the zero-cost way to start.