ISTQB India 2026 Official Details: Exam Fees, Registration, and ITB Contact Information

ISTQB India Official Details

ISTQB certification in India is administered by the Indian Testing Board (ITB), the authorised national member board of ISTQB. ITB has been the official exam provider in India since April 2004 and has issued over 60,000 ISTQB certificates to Indian candidates. The board’s official website is www.istqb.in.

This page covers the current 2026 exam fees, the certifications ITB conducts, the step-by-step registration process, contact details, and the logistics you need to plan around before booking. If you are budgeting for the certification in detail, our complete ISTQB certification cost breakdown for 2026 has country-by-country comparison and total cost-of-certification analysis.

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ISTQB Exam Fees in India 2026

The most common ISTQB Foundation Level exam through Indian Testing Board costs ₹6,844 (including GST) with the Talent Decrypt remote proctored option as of 2026. The full fee structure below applies to all three exam delivery modes ITB offers.

These fees reflect the latest published ITB circular and have been verified against the official istqb.in pages. Verify the current fee directly on istqb.in before payment, as ITB periodically updates pricing.

Foundation Level (CTFL v4.0) and Agile Tester (CTFL-AT)

First Attempt Fees:

Mode	Proctor / Platform	Base Fee	Total (with 18% GST)
Remote Online	Talent Decrypt	₹5,800	₹6,844
Remote Online	Pearson VUE OnVUE	₹6,300	₹7,434
Test Centre	Pearson VUE	₹4,800	₹5,664
Paper-Based	NA (corporate only)	₹4,800	₹5,664

Reappearing (2nd Attempt) Fees:

Mode	Proctor / Platform	Base Fee	Total (with 18% GST)
Remote Online	Talent Decrypt	₹4,000	₹4,720
Remote Online	Pearson VUE OnVUE	₹5,000	₹5,900
Test Centre	Pearson VUE	₹3,500	₹4,130
Paper-Based	NA (corporate only)	₹3,500	₹4,130

The Pearson VUE test centre option at ₹5,664 is the cheapest first-attempt fee available in India, useful if you have a Pearson VUE centre nearby. The most common choice for candidates without a nearby test centre is the Talent Decrypt remote proctored option at ₹6,844, which lets you take the exam from home.

Advanced Level Exams (CTAL-TM v3.0, CTAL-TA v4.0, CTAL-TTA, CTAL-TAE v2.0, Security Tester)

First Attempt:

Mode	Platform	Base Fee	Total (with 18% GST)
Remote Online	Talent Decrypt	₹5,800	₹6,844
Paper-Based	NA (corporate)	₹4,800	₹5,664

Reappearing (2nd Attempt):

Mode	Proctor	Base Fee	Total (with 18% GST)
Remote Online	Talent Decrypt	₹4,000	₹4,720
Paper-Based	NA (corporate)	₹3,500	₹4,130

All Advanced Level exams in India use the Talent Decrypt remote proctored platform for individual registrations. There is currently no Pearson VUE option for Advanced Level exams through ITB.

Specialist Exams (CT-AI, CT-GenAI, CT-PT, CT-MAT, CT-AcT, CT-GaMe, CT-AuT, CT-UT, CT-GT, CT-TAS, CTFL-MBT)

First Attempt:

Mode	Proctor	Base Fee	Total (with 18% GST)
Remote Online	Talent Decrypt	₹6,300	₹7,434
Paper-Based	NA (corporate)	₹6,300	₹7,434

Reappearing (2nd Attempt):

Mode	Proctor	Base Fee	Total (with 18% GST)
Remote Online	Talent Decrypt	₹4,000	₹4,720

Important Notes on ITB Fees

• All fees are inclusive of 18 percent GST as shown.
• The Talent Decrypt remote proctored fee was updated in mid-2024 from the previous ₹6,254 to ₹6,844. Many third-party sites still show the older figure; the official ITB website (istqb.in) shows the current ₹6,844 figure.
• Corporate exam pricing is discounted and available when 10 or more candidates from the same company register together. Corporate exams can be conducted at your company’s premises. Contact ITB through your company’s single point of contact (SPOC).
• The reappearing (reattempt) fee applies only if you have previously paid for and taken the same exam through ITB. You will need to provide your previous reference details.

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ISTQB Exams ITB Conducts in 2026

The Indian Testing Board administers the full ISTQB scheme in India, plus several ITB-specific certifications. The current list of exams available through ITB is:

Core Foundation Level

• CTFL v4.0 (Certified Tester Foundation Level, syllabus 2023, mandatory since 9 May 2024). This is the prerequisite for almost all other ISTQB exams. See our CTFL v4.0 syllabus deep dive.

Foundation Level Extensions

• CTFL-AT (Agile Tester Extension). Now being replaced by the new CTAL-AT v2.0 at Advanced Level. See our CTAL-AT v2.0 announcement.
• CTFL-MBT (Model-Based Tester Extension).

Advanced Level

• CTAL-TM v3.0 (Test Management) – released in 2024
• CTAL-TA v4.0 (Test Analyst) – new version. The older CTAL-TA v3.1 is retiring on 16 May 2026.
• CTAL-TTA v4.0 (Technical Test Analyst). See our Test Analyst vs Technical Test Analyst comparison.
• CTAL-TAE v2.0 (Test Automation Engineering) – the 2016 version retired on 12 June 2025
• CTAL-ATT (Agile Technical Tester), now CTAL-AT v2.0 as the Advanced Level Agile certification
• CTAL-SEC (Security Tester)

Specialist Tracks

• CT-AI v2.0 (AI Testing) – new version released April 2026. See our CT-AI v2.0 syllabus changes.
• CT-GenAI (Testing with Generative AI) – new in 2025. See our CT-AI vs CT-GenAI decision guide.
• CT-PT (Performance Testing)
• CT-MAT (Mobile Application Testing)
• CT-AcT (Acceptance Testing)
• CT-GaMe (Game Testing)
• CT-AuT (Automotive Software Tester)
• CT-UT (Usability Testing)
• CT-GT (Gambling Industry Tester)
• CT-TAS (Test Automation Strategy)

ITB-Specific “United” Series Certifications

In addition to the standard ISTQB scheme, ITB offers several India-specific certifications under the “United” branding. These are issued by ITB and are not part of the global ISTQB scheme:

• CU-CCT (Cloud United – Certified Cloud Tester)
• SeU-CSE (Selenium United – Certified Selenium Engineer)
• APIU-CARMT (API United – Certified API and REST Methodology Tester)
• AIU-CTAI (Artificial Intelligence United – Certified Tester AI)
• DOu-CTD (DevOps United – Certified Tester DevOps)
• PtU-CPTJM (Performance Testing United – Certified Performance Tester JMeter)
• BcU-CBEP (Blockchain United – Certified Blockchain Expert Tester)

Treat the United series as separate India-only credentials. They do not appear on the global ISTQB Successful Candidate Register and are recognised primarily within India. The standard ISTQB certifications (Foundation, Advanced, Specialist) are globally recognised.

For a structured progression path through these certifications, see our ISTQB Certification Levels Roadmap.

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Three Ways to Take the ISTQB Foundation Level Exam in India

For most candidates, the Foundation Level exam is the entry point. ITB gives you three delivery options, each with different costs and trade-offs. Here is how to choose.

Option 1: Talent Decrypt Remote Proctored Exam (₹6,844)

Take the exam from home using ITB’s Talent Decrypt platform. This is the most common option for individual candidates.

Best for: Candidates who prefer the convenience of home, have a reliable internet connection, and a quiet private space. Pen and paper for rough work is typically allowed (you must show blank sheets to the proctor before the exam starts).

Trade-offs: Higher cost than the test centre option. Requires good internet stability and a webcam-equipped laptop or PC. If your session is terminated due to environmental issues (background noise, family interruptions, internet drop), you may forfeit the fee.

Option 2: Pearson VUE Remote Proctored Exam (₹7,434)

Take the exam from home using the Pearson VUE OnVUE platform.

Best for: Candidates who prefer the more established Pearson VUE technology and stricter proctoring standards. Some employers and background verification teams recognise Pearson VUE-administered exams more readily.

Trade-offs: The most expensive option at ₹7,434. Pearson VUE has stricter environmental rules (no scratch paper allowed in most regions, more rigorous webcam scans).

Option 3: Pearson VUE Test Centre Exam (₹5,664)

Take the exam at a designated Pearson VUE test centre.

Best for: Candidates who live close to a Pearson VUE centre, want the lowest-cost option, and prefer a controlled exam environment without home-setup risks.

Trade-offs: You must travel to the centre on the scheduled date and time. Centre availability varies by city. Major Indian cities (Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore) typically have good Pearson VUE coverage. Smaller cities may not have a nearby centre.

Quick recommendation: If you have a Pearson VUE centre within reasonable commute distance, the test centre option at ₹5,664 is the best value. If not, Talent Decrypt remote proctored at ₹6,844 is the standard choice for most home-based candidates. We cover the broader online versus test centre decision in our ISTQB Online Exam vs Test Centre 2026 guide.

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Step-by-Step Process to Register for an ISTQB Exam in India

Below is the current 2026 registration process for individual (public) candidates. For corporate exams (groups of 10 or more from one company), the SPOC at your company handles the registration with ITB directly.

For Talent Decrypt Remote Proctored Exams

1. Go to the ITB enrollment page on istqb.in and click “Remote Proctored Exams (Public)” under the Foundation, Advanced, Agile, or Specialist tab depending on which exam you are taking.
2. Click the appropriate Townscript registration link (ITB uses Townscript for payment processing).
3. Fill in your personal details and pay using credit card, debit card, UPI, or net banking. You will receive a Reference ID after payment.
4. Email [email protected] with your Reference ID and the completed Candidate Criteria Sheet attached. The Criteria Sheet contains your two preferred date and time slots.
5. You will receive exam date and time confirmation from ITB within 48 hours.
6. One day before the exam, you will receive another email with the link to start the exam.
7. Take the exam at the scheduled time. Result is typically declared by the next day via email.

For Pearson VUE Exams (Foundation Level only)

1. Go to itb.excelindia.com/ITB or navigate to “Pearson VUE Exams (Public)” under the Foundation tab on istqb.in.
2. Fill in your details and complete payment.
3. You will receive confirmation and login details for the Pearson VUE scheduling portal.
4. Log in to the Pearson VUE site, choose your preferred date, time, and centre (for test centre exams) or your remote slot (for OnVUE).
5. For test centre exams: arrive at the centre on the scheduled day with a valid government photo ID (Passport, Driving License, Election Card, Aadhaar with photo).
6. Online exam result is immediate. Test centre exam result is also immediate.

For Corporate Exams

Corporate registrations follow a different process. Contact your company SPOC, who will coordinate with ITB to schedule the exam at your office or company-arranged venue. Corporate exams are available for groups of 10 or more candidates and are priced at a discount to the public rate. For details, the company SPOC can email ITB directly.

Detailed Step-by-Step Guide

For a full step-by-step walkthrough including screenshots and what to expect at each stage, see our dedicated How to Apply for ISTQB Certification in India guide.

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Exam Date, Time, and Slot Rules

ITB has specific rules around exam scheduling that surprise candidates who try to book at short notice or on the wrong day.

• Working days only: Remote proctored exams are scheduled Monday to Friday only. Weekends are not available for individual public exams.
• Minimum 3-day notice: Your preferred exam date must be at least 3 days from the date of payment. You cannot pay today and exam tomorrow.
• Standard time slots: ITB Talent Decrypt remote proctored exams use four time slots: 9:00 to 11:00 AM, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and 4:00 to 6:00 PM (Indian Standard Time).
• Two preferences required: You must provide two preferred date and time combinations on the Candidate Criteria Sheet. ITB confirms one of them.
• Pearson VUE flexibility: Pearson VUE exams (both OnVUE remote and test centre) generally have more flexible scheduling, including some weekend slots depending on centre availability.

Plan your booking with at least one week of buffer if you have a target exam date in mind. Last-minute payment with hopes of an immediate exam is the most common mistake new candidates make.

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Certificate and Results Timeline

Knowing the result and certificate timeline helps you plan around job applications and background verification.

• Result declaration: Talent Decrypt remote proctored exams declare results by the next day via email. Pearson VUE remote and test centre exams declare results immediately on screen.
• Soft copy certificate: Typically arrives within 6 to 8 weeks of the exam date. ITB has been known to take longer in some cases. The hardcopy follows.
• Listing on ITB website: Your name appears on the istqb.in Certified Testers list approximately 3 months from the exam date.
• Listing on global ISTQB Successful Candidate Register (SCR): Your name appears on scr.istqb.org (the global registry) once ITB syncs with the central ISTQB database. This can take 3 to 6 months.

If a future employer or background verification team cannot find your name on the global SCR but you have the ITB-issued certificate with a certificate number, the ITB office can verify the certificate directly on request. This is a known gap that causes anxiety; the certificate itself is valid worldwide regardless of when the central SCR sync completes.

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ISTQB India for Indian Citizens Abroad

You are an Indian citizen but currently living or working outside India. Can you still take the exam through ITB? Yes, with two important considerations.

The straightforward path: If you take the Talent Decrypt or Pearson VUE remote proctored exam, you can take it from anywhere in the world as long as you have a stable internet connection. You use your India address during the application. Your timezone may be different, so plan your slot accordingly (ITB slots are in IST).

The fee consideration: For Indian citizens living abroad who use ITB, there can be a higher cross-border fee in some cases. As of the most recent ITB circular, the CTFL fee for international candidates registering through ITB has been quoted at approximately 110 USD compared to ₹6,844 for in-country candidates. Verify the current cross-border fee directly with ITB before registering.

The alternative for long-term expats: If you have moved abroad permanently or for several years, consider whether your destination country’s board is a better fit. The certificate from any board is valid worldwide, but registration with your local board may give you better local employer recognition. For example, candidates in the UK might prefer BCS, candidates in the US might prefer AT*SQA, candidates in Germany or other European countries might prefer iSQI.

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Indian Testing Board Office and Contact Details

The Indian Testing Board has its head office in Noida. For exam-related queries, the most reliable contact path is email rather than phone.

Head Office

Indian Testing Board A-108B, Sector 58 NOIDA – 201301 Uttar Pradesh, India

Phone: +91-120-4355270, +91-120-4236187

Key Email Addresses

• Remote Proctored exam queries: [email protected]
• General queries: Submit via the contact form on istqb.in
• General contact email: [email protected]

Official Website

www.istqb.in is the only official ITB website. Be cautious of unofficial websites that imitate the ITB branding.

Office Hours

ITB operates during standard Indian business hours (9:30 AM to 6:00 PM IST, Monday to Friday). Phone support response can be slow during peak exam booking periods. Email response time is typically 1 to 3 working days.

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Common Questions About ISTQB India Exams

What is the most common ISTQB Foundation Level exam fee in India?

The most common ISTQB Foundation Level exam fee in India is ₹6,844 (including GST) with the Talent Decrypt remote proctored option. The cheapest option is the Pearson VUE test centre exam at ₹5,664. The most expensive option is the Pearson VUE OnVUE remote proctored exam at ₹7,434.

Is the ISTQB certificate from ITB valid worldwide?

Yes. The ISTQB certificate issued by Indian Testing Board is identical in value to certificates issued by any other ISTQB national board (BCS UK, ASTQB US, iSQI, GASQ, and others). Your name appears on the global ISTQB Successful Candidate Register and is searchable worldwide. The syllabus, exam pattern, and pass criteria are uniform across all boards.

What is the passing score for ISTQB CTFL in India?

The passing score for ISTQB CTFL v4.0 is 65 percent, which equals 26 correct answers out of 40 questions. The exam duration is 60 minutes for native English speakers and 75 minutes if your native language is not English (a 25 percent time extension that is automatically applied for ITB candidates).

How many attempts are allowed for the ISTQB exam in India?

There is no limit on the number of attempts. You can re-take the exam as many times as needed. Each re-attempt requires payment of the reappearing fee (₹4,720 for Foundation Level Talent Decrypt remote proctored, ₹4,130 for test centre).

What is the difference between ITB and BCS or ASTQB?

The board you choose only determines where you register and pay. The syllabus is identical (CTFL v4.0 for Foundation Level), the question bank is similar, and the certificate is equally valid worldwide. The differences are operational: registration process, payment currency, customer service quality, and certificate delivery timeline. Some candidates find ITB’s certificate delivery slower than other boards.

Can I take the ISTQB exam in India without prior testing experience?

Yes. There is no work experience requirement for ISTQB Foundation Level (CTFL). The exam is open to freshers, career changers, students, and working professionals. However, the exam tests applied understanding of software testing concepts, not just memorisation, so some practical exposure to software development or testing is helpful. See our honest assessment of CTFL exam difficulty and 7 reasons candidates fail the ISTQB CTFL exam.

Does ISTQB certification expire in India?

ISTQB Foundation Level and Advanced Level certificates are valid for life and do not expire. ISTQB Expert Level certificates are valid for 7 years and require recertification. A certificate earned from ITB in 2008 under the 2007 syllabus is still valid in 2026. You do not need to retake the exam when ISTQB releases a new syllabus version.

Can I use a pen and paper during the ITB remote proctored exam?

For the Talent Decrypt remote proctored exam, blank paper and a pen are typically allowed. You must show the blank sheets to the proctor before the exam starts. For Pearson VUE OnVUE remote proctored exams, the rules are stricter and scratch paper is generally not permitted; the platform provides an on-screen whiteboard or notepad function instead.

How long does it take to get the ISTQB certificate from ITB?

Soft copy certificates typically arrive 6 to 8 weeks after the exam date. Your name appears on the istqb.in Certified Testers list in approximately 3 months and on the global ISTQB Successful Candidate Register in 3 to 6 months. If you need urgent verification for a job offer in the meantime, your result email and Reference ID serve as proof of certification.

What if my name is misspelled on the ITB certificate?

Contact ITB officials directly via email or phone with the correct name proof (passport, Aadhaar, PAN card). They will issue a corrected certificate. Do this before attempting to use the certificate for any subsequent exam application or job verification, as a misspelled certificate creates verification issues.

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ISTQB Study Materials for India Candidates

ITB does not bundle study materials with the exam fee. The exam fee covers only the exam itself, the proctoring service, and the certificate. You are responsible for your own preparation.

For candidates in India who want to prepare cost-effectively, our self-study materials are designed specifically for ITB exam patterns and current syllabus versions. They include practice exam questions, worked examples for test design techniques, and the complete current syllabus coverage.

• For CTFL v4.0 candidates: Our ISTQB CTFL v4.0 Study Guide is the most comprehensive self-study package available for the current 2023 syllabus. Built specifically for ITB, BCS, iSQI, and ASTQB exam patterns.
• For Agile Tester (CTFL-AT) candidates: Agile Tester Study Guide
• For Test Manager (CTAL-TM v3.0) candidates: Test Management v3.0 Study Guide
• For Test Automation Engineer (CTAL-TAE v2.0) candidates: Test Automation Engineer v2.0 Study Guide
• For Technical Test Analyst (CTAL-TTA v4.0) candidates: Technical Test Analyst Study Guide
• For AI Testing (CT-AI) candidates: CT-AI Study Guide
• For Generative AI Testing (CT-GenAI) candidates: CT-GenAI Study Guide

For a complete view of all available materials, visit our Study Materials hub. To try free practice questions before committing, see Free CTFL practice exams and sample papers.

For a structured 30-day preparation plan that works alongside any study material, see our 30-day CTFL sprint plan.

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Plan Your ISTQB Exam from India

If you are ready to register, the official starting point is www.istqb.in. Before you book, confirm:

1. The current exam fee on the official ITB pricing page for your chosen mode.
2. Your two preferred date and time slots (at least 3 working days from your payment date).
3. Your infrastructure check: stable broadband, a webcam-equipped device, a quiet private room, valid government photo ID.
4. The syllabus version for your target exam (CTFL v4.0 is current for Foundation Level; verify the version for Advanced and Specialist exams as these change periodically).

For a step-by-step guide that walks you through the actual registration screens, use our How to Apply for ISTQB Certification in India page.

For broader cost planning across all certifications, see ISTQB Certification Cost 2026: Exam Fees, Training, and Total Spend.

For honest discussion of whether the certification is worth pursuing in your situation, see Is the ISTQB Certification Worth It in 2026? and our ISTQB Certified Tester Salary 2026 analysis for the salary uplift data specific to India and other markets.

Have a specific question about your ITB exam registration? Contact us and we will help you choose the right option for your situation.

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This page reflects the latest published ITB fees and procedures as of May 2026. Exam fees and procedures are set by Indian Testing Board and can change. Verify the current information directly on istqb.in before making your payment. ISTQB Guru is not affiliated with Indian Testing Board.