How the DELF A1 calendar works in India
France Éducation international sets the international session windows; each Alliance Française centre picks the specific dates within those windows. This means the exact same session week can have dates a few days apart in Delhi vs Bengaluru.
The calendar is published on each centre’s website 3–4 months before the session. There is no consolidated all-India calendar — plan around your target centre’s specific schedule.
Typical 2026 session windows
| Session window | Registration opens | Registration closes | Typical exam week |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Mid-January | End February | 3rd–4th week of March |
| May | Mid-March | End April | 2nd–3rd week of May |
| June | Mid-April | End May | 3rd–4th week of June |
| September | Mid-July | End August | 3rd–4th week of September |
| November | Mid-September | End October | 2nd–3rd week of November |
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Alliance Française centres that host DELF A1
- Metro (every session): Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune.
- Tier-2 (2–3 sessions per year): Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Bhopal.
- Tier-3 (1–2 sessions per year, sometimes referred to nearest metro): Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur, Vadodara, Kochi.
- Institutional centres (school-tied, limited public access): Some Kendriya Vidyalayas and Alliance-partnered universities.
How to pick your session and centre
For most candidates the sensible sequence is: choose your target session based on when you need the result (typically 4–8 weeks before your visa/admission deadline), then check the nearest metro Alliance Française’s specific dates for that window. Do not wait for the perfect date — every centre fills up in the last week before registration closes.
For candidates in tier-2 cities: check both your local centre AND the nearest metro. Sometimes the metro has a session 1–2 weeks earlier or later that fits better; the extra travel is usually worth it for the wider date choice.
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Common mistakes when picking a session
- Waiting for the November session to give yourself ‘more time’. Results take 4–6 weeks; November + delivery time can push results into early January — too late for many university intakes.
- Registering at the last minute. The last 3 days of the registration window are the busiest; the exam-day slot may already be filled.
- Assuming every centre hosts every session. Tier-2 centres skip the June or September session more often than metros do.
- Not checking the oral exam date. The written and oral are usually the same day, but some centres split them 1–7 days apart — travel implications for out-of-city candidates.
- Booking travel before your registration is confirmed. Always wait for the centre’s confirmation email before booking flights or accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many DELF A1 sessions per year in India?
Typically 4–6 sessions per year — March, May, June, September, November. Metro centres host all sessions; tier-2 centres 2–3 of them. Check your local Alliance Française for the specific calendar.
Where can I take DELF A1 in India?
At Alliance Française centres in about 15 cities — every metro (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune) plus tier-2 cities (Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Trivandrum, Bhopal) and a few tier-3 hosts.
When does DELF A1 registration close for each session?
3–4 weeks before the exam date. The registration window typically opens 8 weeks before and closes 3–4 weeks before. No late registration is accepted — plan around your target session’s specific dates.
Is DELF A1 the same everywhere in India?
Yes — same paper, same marking grid, same France Éducation international standards. The only variation is the exact date within the session window (set by each centre) and the fee (slightly higher in metros than tier-2 cities).
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