TEF & TCF Exam Dates, Fees, and Centers in India (2026)

Booking a French test for Canada PR, Quebec immigration, or study in France? Then you need the right facts on TEF and TCF exam dates, fees, and test centers in India before you pay. Each version runs in different cities, with separate prices and dates. One wrong booking can cost you months and a non-refundable fee.

I have coached Indian candidates for the TEF, TCF, and DELF exams for over 15 years. The three questions never change. Which test site is closest? What will my version cost? When is the next available date? This page answers all three for 2026, in clean tables you can scan in a minute.

Every TEF and TCF exam in India runs through the Alliance Française network, under Le Français des Affaires (TEF) and France Éducation International (TCF). Prices and seats shift often, so treat these figures as a 2026 snapshot and reconfirm with your branch before payment.

Which TEF and TCF Exams Can You Take in India?

India offers six main TEF and TCF versions, each tied to one goal: Canada PR, Quebec selection, citizenship, and TCF for all. Only TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted by IRCC for Express Entry. The Quebec versions feed the CSQ through MIFI, while other variants serve France or general proof of French.

Most Indian applicants sit for TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Both assess the same four skills, both map to CLB/NCLC levels, and both can earn up to 50 bonus CRS points. Unsure which suits your profile? Read our full TEF vs TCF Canada comparison.

Where Are the TEF and TCF Exam Centers in India?

Only Alliance Française branches are licensed to administer TEF and TCF exams in India. No private coaching school can run the actual test, only prepare you for it. Coverage varies by version, so your city may host one French test but not another.

A few patterns help you plan. TEF Canada has the widest footprint across 7 cities for this year, since Canada-bound applicants make up a large share of Indian test-takers. TCF Canada runs in only three metros, so New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru draw heavy demand. Kolkata is the busiest venue overall, hosting TCF Canada, TCF Québec, TCF Tout Public, and TCF IRN under one roof.

Testing locations are not permanent. Alliance Française can add or drop a version at any branch at any time during the year. Always confirm on the official AF India site or your local branch page before you plan travel.

For deeper city-by-city detail on the Quebec tests, see our TEF Québec India guide, TCF Québec India guide, and TEFAQ Vs. TCFQ. For a plain overview of all versions, see our article on taking TEF and TCF exams in India.

If your town or city in India has no authorized TEF/TCF venue, plan to travel. Many candidates from smaller cities book New Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata and combine the trip with a few days of revision.

How Much Do TEF and TCF Exams Cost in India?

A full four-module TEF Canada or TCF Canada exam costs about ₹26,000, including GST, in 2026. Quebec versions are modular, so they cost less: TEFAQ and TCF Québec charge roughly ₹13,000 for the speaking and listening pair, plus about ₹6,500 for each of the written and writing sections. A single Canada module runs near ₹6,785. Fees climb 5 to 10 percent most years.

Your cost depends on how many sections your immigration program needs. Canada PR requires all four skills. Quebec selection usually needs only the two oral modules. That difference is why a Quebec test bill is smaller than a Canadian one.

Four money facts catch people out.

• First, the registration fee is non-refundable. Miss the date, and the amount is gone.
• Second, the cost of taking the TEF or TCF variant changes every year. So this figure is only for this year. Do check the official website for the latest pricing.
• Third, a TEF Canada retake means a fresh full payment plus a mandatory 30-day wait. So a second attempt is a real expense, not a small top-up.
• Fourth, you can apply for a sectional reevaluation of TCF Canada by paying the charges at the AF center.

My advice after years in the classroom stays the same. Do not book until a full-length mock test says you are ready. The stakes are too high to treat the real exam as practice. You can see how the fee fits the wider process in our TEF Canada examination guide and the TCF Canada test in India.

When Are the 2026 TEF and TCF Exam Dates?

Most Alliance Française branches run TEF and TCF Canada sittings every month, and a few busy metros schedule them twice a month. Centers usually publish dates two to three months ahead. AF Delhi releases a full-year calendar early and holds the most frequent sessions in the country.

There is no single national date sheet. Each branch sets its own schedule, which is why two cities can differ widely for the same French test.

Seats, not dates, are the real bottleneck. At AF Delhi, TCF Canada slots can sell out within minutes of opening. Smaller branches, such as Bhopal, may release only 10 seats per sitting. So booking speed matters far more than the printed calendar.

Register early, and even earlier in the peak immigration months of April to August. For exact dates, check your branch page, since only it shows live seat counts. The official TEF/TCF Canada pages confirm the formats behind these dates.

How Do You Register for a TEF or TCF Exam in India?

You register straight through your chosen Alliance Française branch, online or in person. From January 2026, a valid passport is mandatory at registration for all TCF exams. Aadhaar, PAN, and other IDs are not accepted. Create an account, pick the exact version and date, upload your passport, and pay to lock the seat.

The steps are the same across versions, with small branch differences.

One mistake is common and costly. You must choose the precise version. Selecting “TCF Tout Public” when you need “TCF Canada” wastes the whole fee, because immigration will reject the wrong test. Read the dropdown twice before you pay.

On exam day, carry your original passport and a printed copy of your convocation. Latecomers are turned away, and no-shows forfeit the fee.

Which French Test Should You Choose for Canada or Quebec?

Your destination decides your test, not your preference. Federal Canada PR through Express Entry needs TEF Canada or TCF Canada, all four modules. Quebec selection through the CSQ requires TEFAQ or TCF Québec, usually both oral modules. Study in France leans on TEF Études or TCF DAP, and French citizenship uses TCF IRN.

For Canada, neither test is objectively easier. Both cover the same skills and the same benchmarks. TEF Canada uses role-play and a persuasion task, while TCF Canada uses varied question types with rising difficulty. Format, comfort, and the nearest venue should drive your pick. Our overview of the French proficiency test lays out the differences.

How Long Are TEF and TCF Scores Valid?

All TEF and TCF results stay valid for two years from the exam date. IRCC and MIFI accept only scores that are valid when you apply and remain valid while they process your file. You can retake any version after a 30-day gap, with no cap on attempts.

Timing is a quiet trap. Test too early and your scores can expire mid-application. Test too late and you leave no room for a retake.

The safe plan is steady. Reach your target level, book when a mock confirms it, then file your Express Entry profile or Quebec application soon after results land. That keeps your two-year window working for you.

Key Facts at a Glance

If you want structured coaching to hit your target band, you can explore our TCF Canada practice program and TEF Canada intensive course or message the LanguageNext team on WhatsApp at 70111-64582.

Common Questions for TEF/TCF Centers, Fees & Dates