GRE Exam Fees in India (2026 Updated): Complete Cost Breakdown & Registration Guide
- Sairam Joshi
- Jul 27
- 5 min read
Planning to pursue a Master’s degree, MBA, or doctoral program abroad? The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a crucial stepping stone toward securing admission at top-tier universities across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Asia. However, before you dive into Quantitative Reasoning formulas and Verbal Reasoning flashcards, it is essential to plan your study budget accurately.
Understanding the GRE exam fees in India for 2026 ensures you avoid hidden surprise costs, plan your retake strategies wisely, and maximize the value of free score reports. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the updated registration fees, additional charges, payment options, and strategies to save money on your GRE journey in 2026.
1. What is the GRE Exam Fee in India in 2026?
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) maintains localized pricing for Indian test-takers to account for local banking and currency considerations. Whether you choose to take the exam at an ETS test center or opt for the GRE at Home test, the registration costs remain identical.
Here is the basic fee structure for 2026:
GRE General Test Registration Fee: ₹22,550 (Base Registration) / ~₹23,452 (Inclusive of applicable local processing taxes & checkout charges)
GRE Subject Test Registration Fee: ₹17,818 (Inclusive of taxes)
Note on Test Options: Choosing the "GRE at Home" format requires no extra fee compared to taking it at an official test center. However, you must ensure your personal computer meets ETS system requirements (webcam, microphone, and stable high-speed internet).
2. Itemized Breakdown of GRE Exam Fees in India
The initial registration cost is only one component of your total exam budget. ETS charges fixed fees for rescheduling, changing test locations, and sending additional score reports.
The detailed cost breakdown for Indian candidates in 2026 includes:
Service / Request Type | Fee in INR (Approx.) | Fee in USD | Details & Deadlines |
GRE General Test Registration | ₹22,550 – ₹23,452 | $220 | Covers test & 4 free score reports |
GRE Subject Test Registration | ₹17,818 | ~$150 | Offered in Physics, Psychology, etc. |
Rescheduling Fee | ₹5,500 – ₹5,650 | $50 – $55 | Must request at least 4 full days prior |
Test Center Change Fee | ₹5,000 – ₹5,500 | $50 – $55 | Subject to seat availability |
Additional Score Report (ASR) | ₹2,700 – ₹2,900 | $27 – $40 per report | Per university beyond the initial 4 free sends |
Score Review (AWA / Verbal / Quant) | ₹5,500 – ₹5,900 | $50 | Request for human re-grading or machine check |
Score Reinstatement Fee | ₹5,000 | $50 | To restore scores previously cancelled by candidate |
3. GRE Rescheduling and Cancellation Rules in 2026
Unexpected emergencies or incomplete preparation might require you to modify your scheduled exam date. ETS enforces strict policies regarding test changes:
Rescheduling Your Exam
If you need to change your test date or test location, you must do so at least 4 full days before your scheduled exam date (excluding the day of the test and the day of your request). The fee is approximately ₹5,500 to ₹5,650.
If you request a change less than 4 days before your appointment, your original test fee will be forfeited completely, and you will have to register again at full cost.
Cancelling Your Exam & Refund Policy
4+ Days Prior: Cancelling your registration at least 4 days before your exam date entitles you to a 50% refund of your base registration fee (approximately ₹11,275).
Less Than 4 Days / No-Show: If you cancel within the 4-day window or fail to show up at the test center ("No-Show"), you will receive no refund.
Refund Processing: All refunds are processed back to the original payment method in US Dollars at current exchange rates.
4. How to Send GRE Score Reports (Free vs. Paid)
Your base GRE exam fees in India cover sending your official scores to up to 4 graduate institutions for free.
On Test Day (Free): At the test center (or immediately after completing your online test at home), you can search for and select 4 universities to receive your score reports.
ScoreSelect® Option: You can choose to send your Most Recent test score or All scores from the last 5 years to your selected recipients.
Additional Score Reports (Paid): If you apply to more than 4 universities, or decide to send scores after test day, each additional score report costs ₹2,700 – ₹2,900 per university.
Money-Saving Tip: Always finalize a target shortlist of 4 universities before stepping into the test center so you can utilize your free score sends on test day.
5. Accepted Payment Methods for Indian Students in 2026
ETS accepts multiple seamless payment gateways for candidates booking their GRE General or Subject tests in India:
Credit & Debit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and RuPay Global.
UPI Payments: Popular Indian payment apps, including Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM-enabled handles.
Net Banking: Supported across major Indian banks.
Digital Wallets & PayPal: International digital transactions via PayPal.
Note: Ensure your debit/credit card has international and online transactions enabled if paying in USD or through international gateways.
6. Smart Ways to Minimize Your GRE Costs
Taking the GRE is a significant investment. Here are practical strategies to avoid unnecessary expenses:
Avoid Retake Fees Through Thorough Preparation: A single retake doubles your test expenditure. Take 4–6 full-length practice tests under real exam conditions to ensure you are scoring near your target range before booking.
Lock in Dates Carefully: Only register when you are confident in your timeline to avoid paying the ₹5,500 rescheduling fee.
Utilize ETS Free Preparation Material: Take advantage of the official POWERPREP® Online practice tests provided free by ETS upon registration.
Maximize Free Score Sends: Utilizing all 4 free score sends saves you approximately ₹11,000 in additional score report charges.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the total GRE exam fee in India for 2026?
The base registration fee for the GRE General Test in India is ₹22,550, which totals approximately ₹23,452 once local processing charges and taxes are included. The GRE Subject Test costs ₹17,818.
Q2. Is the GRE at Home fee different from the test center fee in India?
No. The GRE exam fees in India for the "At Home" test option and the physical test center option are identical. Both cost ₹22,550 (plus applicable checkout charges).
Q3. Can I get a full refund if I cancel my GRE exam?
No, ETS does not offer full refunds. If you cancel your test at least 4 days prior to your scheduled test date, you will receive a 50% partial refund. Cancellations made within 4 days of the test date are non-refundable.
Q4. How much does it cost to send GRE scores to extra universities?
Your initial registration fee covers sending scores to 4 universities for free on test day. For every additional university beyond those four, you must pay an Additional Score Report (ASR) fee of ₹2,700 – ₹2,900 per recipient.
Q5. Are there fee reduction vouchers for GRE test-takers in India?
ETS fee reduction vouchers are primarily structured for U.S. citizens or permanent residents demonstrating extreme financial hardship. They are generally not applicable to international candidates registering from India.
Next Steps for Your GRE Journey
Ready to take the next step toward your global education goals? Explore official registration portals and test preparation tools to begin your preparation:
Official ETS GRE Registration: Create your ETS account, check available test dates, and book your exam slot on the official ETS GRE Website.
Official Practice Tests: Access official practice questions and mock tests via ETS POWERPREP® Resources.
Study Abroad Admissions Guidance: Plan your master's application timeline through the Shiksha Study Abroad Portal or Yocket Abroad Education Directory.
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