GRE Exam Dates in India 2025: City & Test Centre Guide

Stay ahead of the game with our regularly updated list of GRE exam dates and test centres by city for 2025. Simply find your city below to see upcoming test dates, registration deadlines, and available test centers.  We're here to make your GRE journey as smooth as possible.

Sri Roopa Rao M 29 August 2024
GRE Exam Dates in India [current_year]

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the most widely accepted standardised tests for admission into Master’s, MBA, PhD, and specialised graduate programs worldwide. Universities in the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, and even top Indian institutions use GRE scores to evaluate a candidate’s readiness for advanced study, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills.

For Indian test-takers, planning the GRE date and selecting the right test centre is one of the most important first steps in the application process. Booking early ensures availability during peak months, helps you align with university deadlines, and gives you enough time to prepare and improve your score if a retake is needed.

GRE Exam Slots Availability 

Month 2025

Availability Frequency

Typical GRE Test Date Availability (Examples)*

Demand Level

Best For

January

High (many slots)

10–20+ dates (often weekly or daily in metro cities)

High

Fall intake applicants (early planners)

February

High

10–20+ dates

High

Final prep or retake for Fall

March

Moderate–High

8–15 dates

High

Last window for early deadlines

April

Moderate

6–12 dates

Medium

Good for early Spring intake prep

May

Moderate

6–12 dates

Low–Medium

Less competition, flexible dates

June

Moderate

6–12 dates

Low–Medium

Good for practice/retake

July

Moderate–High

8–15 dates

Medium

Start of Fall rush

August

High

10–20+ dates

Very High

Most popular month for Fall deadlines

September

Very High

12–20+ dates

Peak

Final attempts for Fall intake

October

High

10–18 dates

Peak

Retakes + Rolling admissions

November

Moderate–High

8–15 dates

High

Spring intake final window

December

Moderate

6–12 dates

Medium

Early prep for next cycle

Key Insights:

  1. Peak GRE months in India (Slots fill fastest):
  • January
  • February
  • August
  • September
  • October
  1. Easiest months to get a slot (More flexibility, fewer candidates):
  • May
  • June
  • December
  1. Balanced months (steady demand, decent availability):
  • April
  • July
  • November

GRE Exam Voucher

Types of GRE Exams in India

GRE Exam Type

Mode of Test

Offered In India?

Test Centre Required

Frequency / Availability

Who Should Take It?

GRE General Test (Computer-Based)

Computer-based

Yes (Most Common)

Yes

Year-round (multiple dates per month)

Students applying for Master’s, MBA, and PhD (most programs)

GRE General Test (At Home Edition)

Online from Home (Live proctor)

Yes

No

Available almost every day

Students who cannot travel or prefer home testing (must confirm university acceptance)

GRE Subject Test (Paper-Based)

Paper-based

Yes (limited cities)

Yes

Only 2–3 fixed dates per year

Students applying to programs requiring subject-specific testing (e.g., Math, Physics, Psychology)

GRE Exam Dates 2025

A) GRE General Test (Computer-Based at Test Centres) – Year-Round, Most Flexible

This is the most popular and widely accepted GRE version.

How dates are scheduled:

  • No fixed national exam dates.
  • ETS uses a rolling availability system.
  • Test sessions are available throughout the year.
  • Most major cities offer multiple test dates per month.
  • Some high-demand cities offer daily or even multiple sessions per day.

Booking Window:

  • You can book up to 1 day before the test (if a slot is still open).
  • However, popular cities and peak months fill up 4–8 weeks in advance.

Peak Months (highest demand):

  • January to March (Spring intake tests)
  • August to November (Fall intake tests)

Best practice:

  • Book your slot 2–3 months in advance to secure the preferred date, time, and location.

B) GRE General Test – At Home Edition (Online) – Highly Flexible

This is the remote version of the GRE taken from Home under online proctoring.

How dates are scheduled:

  • It is available almost every day, including weekends.
  • Multiple time slots throughout the day.
  • You can often find appointments within 24 hours of booking.

Booking Window:

  • You can book up to 24 hours before the test.
  • More flexible than test centres.

Important Note:

  • Acceptance varies; some universities or visa authorities prefer centre-based scores.
  • Test taker must meet technical and environmental requirements (quiet room, computer, webcam, stable internet).

Best practice:

  • Choose At Home only if you cannot travel or have verified that all your universities accept it.

C) GRE Subject Test (Paper-Based) – Fixed Dates, Limited Availability

This test is only required for specific subjects (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Psychology).

How dates are scheduled:

  • ETS conducts the GRE Subject Test only 2–3 times per year worldwide.
  • These are fixed global dates, announced in advance.
  • Example months: February, April, September, October (actual 2025 dates published by ETS).

Test Centres:

  • It is available in very few cities in India.
  • Usually, only 1–2 centres per major region.

Booking Window:

  • Registration opens months in advance.
  • Slots are limited and fill quickly.

Important:

  • Subject Test is not required for most Master’s or MBA programs.
  • Mostly needed for PhD or research-based admissions in specific disciplines.

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Why Early Booking is Important (Across All GRE Types)

Reason

Impact

Peak season demand

Slots fill 4–8 weeks early.

Limited test centres in some cities

Fewer seats per day

University deadlines

You may miss the intake if you book late.

Retake planning

Need buffer time if the score is low.

Preferred time of day

Morning slots fill first.

GRE Test Centres by Exam Type

GRE Version

Availability in India

Where Offered

GRE General Test (Computer-Based)

YES (widely available)

Multiple cities across India

GRE General Test (At Home)

YES

Taken online from home (no centre needed)

GRE Subject Test (Paper-Based)

YES, but limited

Only a few selected test centres in selected cities

GRE Exam Test Centres in India 2025

City / Region

Number of Centres

Test Availability

Test Types Offered

Convenience Level

Delhi / NCR (Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida)

4–6

Very High (often daily)

GRE General, GRE Subject

Excellent

Mumbai / Navi Mumbai / Thane

2–3

High (multiple slots weekly)

GRE General

Excellent

Bangalore

2–3

High (weekly to daily)

GRE General

Excellent

Hyderabad

1–2

High (weekly to daily)

GRE General, GRE Subject (sometimes)

Very Good

Chennai

1–2

Moderate to High

GRE General

Very Good

Pune

1–2

Moderate to High

GRE General

Very Good

Kolkata

1–2

Moderate (weekly or bi-weekly)

GRE General, GRE Subject (occasionally)

Good

Ahmedabad

1

Moderate (weekly/bi-weekly)

GRE General

Good

Chandigarh

1

Limited (few slots monthly)

GRE General

Good

Kochi (Cochin)

1

Limited (weekly or less)

GRE General

Fair

Coimbatore

1

Limited (a few dates monthly)

GRE General

Fair

Jaipur

1

Limited (a few dates monthly)

GRE General

Fair

Lucknow

1

Limited (a few dates monthly)

GRE General

Fair

If you're seeking GRE discounts, you might want to explore our comprehensive guide on how to get a GRE voucher.

How to Find Live GRE Exam Dates & Book a Slot (Step-by-Step)

Booking the GRE is done online through the official ETS website, and the process is simple if you follow these steps correctly. This method also helps you see the real-time availability of dates and centres in your city.

Step 1: Visit the official ETS GRE website
Go to the official source for registration.

Step 2: Create or log in to your ETS account
If you’re a new user, create an account with your legal name (must match passport).
Existing users can simply log in.

Step 3: Click on “Register / Find Test Centres”
This option allows you to search for both test dates and locations at the same time.

Step 4: Select your test type
Choose the GRE General Test (most common) or the Subject Test if applicable.
Select whether you want the Test Centre or the At Home format.

Step 5: Enter your preferred location
Type your city name (e.g., Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, etc.).
You can also search by state or pin code.

Step 6: Select a month or date range
The system will show available dates based on your location.
If a month is full, try choosing the next month or a nearby city.

Step 7: Choose your test centre and time slot
You will see:

  • Centre name
  • Address
  • Available time slots
  • Seat availability
    Select the slot that suits your preparation timeline.

Step 8: Review your information
Check:

  • Your name (must match passport)
  • Test type
  • Centre and date
  • Contact details

Step 9: Pay the exam fee to confirm the booking
Make the payment online using a credit/debit card, UPI, PayPal (if available), or a voucher code.
Once payment is done, your slot is confirmed.

Step 10: Receive confirmation email
You will get an email with your appointment letter, test centre address, reporting time, and rules.

GRE Exam Voucher

Best Time to Take the GRE in 2025

Choosing the right time to take the GRE is just as important as preparation. The ideal timing depends on your study abroad intake, university deadlines, retake plans, and slot availability.

1. Based on University Deadlines

  • For Fall 2025 Intake (Most popular):
    Ideal test window: January to June 2025
    Latest safe attempt: August–September 2025 (for Round 2 or last deadlines)
  • For Spring 2026 Intake:
    Ideal test window: May to September 2025
    Latest safe attempt: October–November 2025

Always aim to take the GRE at least 6–8 months before the application deadline.

2. When Slots Are Easily Available

Best availability months:

  • May
  • June
  • December
    These months have lower demand, so it’s easier to get preferred centres and time slots.

3. When Demand Is Highest (Slots fill fastest)

Peak GRE booking months in India:

  • January
  • February
  • August
  • September
  • October

If you want to test in these months, book your slot 6–8 weeks in advance.

4. When You Should Avoid Taking the Test

Try to avoid:

  • Last-minute booking near application deadlines
  • Heavy academic exam seasons (college exams, CAT/GATE/IELTS rush)
  • Festivals or holiday periods (travel, distractions, closures)

5. Plan for a Retake (Very Important!)

Most students score higher on their second attempt.

  • GRE allows you to retake after 21 days.
  • You can take it up to 5 times a year.

Therefore, take your first GRE attempt at least 3–4 months before deadlines to leave time for a retake if needed.

6. Bottom Line: Best Overall Strategy

Goal

Best Time to Take the GRE

Start early and avoid stress.

Jan–Jun 2025

For the Fall intake

Feb–Aug 2025

For Spring intake

May–Sep 2025

Retake buffer

3–4 months before deadlines

Lowest competition

May, June, December

GRE At Home vs GRE Test Centre

Factor

GRE At Home

GRE Test Centre

Mode

Online from home

In-person at an authorised centre

Environment

Must arrange a quiet, private room

Controlled, professional testing environment

Equipment

Your own computer, internet, webcam, and mic

The centre provides all the equipment

Technical Issues

Risk of internet or device failure

Handled by test centre staff

Monitoring

Live online proctor

On-site staff + CCTV

Availability

Very frequent, multiple slots daily

High in major cities, moderate in smaller cities

Booking Flexibility

Can often book within 24–48 hours

Popular slots fill early (book 2–4 weeks ahead)

Travel Required

No

Yes

Acceptance by Universities

Accepted by most, but check each program

100% accepted everywhere

Risk of Disruption

Higher (home interruptions)

Lower (quiet, controlled setting)

Comfort Level

Familiar home environment

Professional test atmosphere

Best For

Students with reliable internet & no nearby centre

Students who want maximum reliability and acceptance

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Required Documents on GRE Test Day

To avoid being denied entry to the test centre, you must carry the correct documents and follow ETS policies strictly.

1. Valid Passport (Original, not photocopy)

  • Must be valid (not expired)
  • Must have your full name, date of birth, and photograph
  • Must match the name used during registration
  • No other ID is accepted in India

2. Appointment Confirmation Email

  • Printed or digital copy
  • Contains your test date, time, and centre address

3. ETS Account Login Details (Optional but useful)

  • In case any verification is needed on the spot

4. Recommended to Carry

  • Water bottle (if allowed)
  • Light jacket (centres can be cold)
  • Required medications (with approval)

5. What NOT to Carry

  • Mobile phones (must be turned off and stored in the locker)
  • Smartwatches or fitness bands
  • Bags, notebooks, stationery
  • Wallets or purses (locked away)
  • Food or snacks (unless approved for medical reasons)

All personal items are stored in a locker and cannot be accessed during the test or breaks.

6. On Arrival

  • Reach 30–45 minutes early
  • The passport is verified
  • Photo and fingerprints may be taken
  • You will be assigned a locker and then taken to the testing room

GRE Exam Voucher

Tips to Get Your Preferred GRE Date & Test Centre

Because GRE dates and centres operate on a first-come, first-served basis, planning can save you stress, money, and travel.

1. Book 2–3 months in advance

  • Especially for peak months (Jan–Mar, Aug–Nov)
  • Ensures better slot choice (morning/afternoon)

2. Be flexible with the time of day

  • Morning slots fill first
  • Afternoon or evening slots may still be available

3. Avoid last-minute bookings

  • You may be forced to choose a different city
  • You might pay a late registration fee

4. Avoid peak intake rush (unless you plan early)

  • Fall intake: Aug–Nov high demand
  • Spring intake: Jan–Mar high demand

5. Use multiple nearby cities for backup

If your city is full, search:

  • Nearby major cities (example: Pune instead of Mumbai)
  • Alternate dates

6. Monitor ETS availability regularly

  • Slots open and close daily
  • Cancellations free up seats unexpectedly
  • Check early morning for best results

7. Plan for a retake

Most students improve in their second attempt.
Schedule your first attempt 3–4 months before deadlines to allow time for a retake if needed.

Check our comprehensive guide on GRE Exam Preparation

Conclusion

The GRE General Test remains one of the most important exams for students in India aiming to pursue higher education abroad. Since ETS offers the GRE year-round rather than on fixed national dates, understanding how test dates are released and how availability changes month-to-month is essential for smart planning. Likewise, selecting the right test centre, considering factors such as location, slot frequency, and convenience, can significantly enhance your test-day experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

The GRE General Test is offered year-round with multiple test dates every month.

No, GRE dates vary by city and test centre availability.

January–March and August–October are the most popular and strategic months.

Book at least 1–2 months in advance, or 2–3 months in advance during peak season.

Yes, if the slot is available in your selected test centre when you book.

About the Author

Author_Roopa_EduVouchers
Sri Roopa Rao M
Sri Roopa Rao M

With over 15 years of experience mentoring aspirants in ELP tests like IELTS, PTE, GRE & SAT Roopa has guided numerous students toward global academic success. Roopa also leads content development for Eduvouchers, crafting insightful and research-backed articles on studying abroad in countries like the USA, UK, Australia, and Germany - covering topics such as exam preparation, university admissions, scholarships, and student life. With in-depth knowledge of international admission processes, particularly for English-speaking countries, Roopa has helped students crack entrance exams and secure admits in top universities.

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