JLPT is administered in India twice a year — in July and December. Unlike IELTS or PTE, which run almost continuously throughout the year, JLPT’s twice-yearly schedule means missing a registration window can cost you six months of delay in your Japan work visa or career timeline. This guide covers everything Indian candidates need to know about registration, test centres, fees, and preparation timing.
2026 JLPT Exam Dates in India
JLPT is held on the first Sunday of July (July sitting) and the first Sunday of December (December sitting) in India every year. In 2026, the July sitting is expected on July 5, and the December sitting on December 6 — though candidates should confirm exact dates with the Japan Foundation India when registration opens, as slight variations can occur. Registration for the July sitting typically opens in April; registration for the December sitting opens in September. Seats at popular centres fill within days of registration opening — set a calendar alert for the registration opening date and register on day one if you are targeting a high-demand centre like Bangalore or Pune.
Test Centres Across India
JLPT is administered at multiple centres across India. Major centres consistently offered include Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi (New Delhi), Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and a number of additional cities that vary by sitting. Bangalore and Pune have among the highest demand, driven by the IT professional community targeting Japan job opportunities. Check the official Japan Foundation India JLPT website for the complete centre list for each sitting — not all centres are available for both July and December, and available centres can change year to year.
Fees and Registration Process
Official JLPT registration fees in India are approximately ₹2,000–₹2,500 per attempt depending on the level (N5 is cheapest; N1 is most expensive) and the centre. The registration process is entirely online through the official JLPT India portal — candidates create an account, select their level and preferred centre, pay the fee online, and receive an admission ticket. The most important practical point: JLPT registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. If you register and then realise you are not adequately prepared, you cannot shift your registration to a later sitting or receive a refund. Running full-length JLPT mocks at LanguageTest.in in the weeks before registration opens — not just before the exam — lets you make an informed decision about whether to register for the upcoming sitting or prepare more thoroughly for the next one.
Ready to practise for JLPT? Take a full-length JLPT mock test at LanguageTest.in — AI-graded, timed, and structured exactly like the real exam.
Ready to practice?