JLPT exam dates in India fall on the first Sunday of July and the first Sunday of December each year, and missing a registration window means a six-month wait for your next attempt. Unlike IELTS or PTE, which run almost continuously, JLPT’s twice-yearly schedule makes timing your registration and preparation critical.
This guide covers the expected 2026 sitting dates, the major test centres across India, the registration process and fees, and why checking your readiness before you register — not just before the exam — protects you from a non-refundable, non-transferable booking.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How many times a year is JLPT held in India?
JLPT is held twice a year in India, on the first Sunday of July and the first Sunday of December, unlike continuously-available tests such as IELTS or PTE.
Can I get a refund if I miss my JLPT exam date?
No. JLPT registration in India is non-refundable and non-transferable, so you cannot shift your booking to a later sitting or recover the fee if you miss the exam or feel unprepared.
Which JLPT level should I register for if I am unsure of my Japanese level?
Take a full-length practice test at your suspected level before registering. Because JLPT fees are non-refundable, confirming your level in advance avoids paying to sit an exam you are not ready for.
Why do Bangalore and Pune JLPT centres fill up so quickly?
Both cities have large IT professional communities targeting Japan-linked job opportunities, so seats at these centres are in higher demand and fill within days of registration opening.
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