The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT / 日本語能力試験, Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken) is the most widely recognised Japanese certification: universities, employers and Japan's immigration system all use it. In India it is held twice a year, on the first Sunday of July and of December, in eight cities. This guide covers what each level tests, the official times and pass marks, where to take it in India, how to register with your city's host institution, fees, dates and how to prepare.
Quick Facts: JLPT at a Glance
Organised by
Japan Foundation + JEES
Levels
N1 · N2 · N3 · N4 · N5
Held in India
Twice a year (July and December)
2026 test days
5 July and 6 December
Result
Pass / fail + score report
Language
Japanese only (no translation)
What is the JLPT?
The JLPT is run by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES). It was first held in 1984, and in 2025 about 1.9 million people applied worldwide, the most ever. Outside Japan the Japan Foundation runs it together with a local host institution in each city. In India these hosts are local teachers', alumni and cultural associations and one university, and you register with the host for the city where you want to sit the test.
The test does not test speaking or writing production — it is a multiple-choice reading and listening comprehension exam. All questions are in Japanese; there are no English translations in the question paper.
JLPT Levels Explained
The JLPT doesn't publish word or kanji lists; the figures below are the usual study estimates.
| Level | Vocabulary | Kanji | Study Hours (approx.) | Who Should Take It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N5 ⭐ (Easiest) | ~800 words | ~100 kanji | 150–300 hrs | Complete beginners; a first milestone after a few months of study |
| N4 | ~1,500 words | ~300 kanji | 300–600 hrs | Learners who have finished a beginner course; the level the SSW visa asks for |
| N3 | ~3,750 words | ~650 kanji | 450–900 hrs | Intermediate learners; often asked for in jobs in Japan |
| N2 | ~6,000 words | ~1,000 kanji | 600–1,200 hrs | The usual benchmark for Japanese-taught university courses; professional work in Japan |
| N1 🏆 (Hardest) | ~10,000 words | ~2,000 kanji | 900–2,000 hrs | Near-native; adds 15 points for Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa |
JLPT Exam Structure and Scoring
These are the official test times and overall pass marks (every level is scored out of 180):
| Level | Sections and times | Total time | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5 | Vocabulary 20 min · Grammar and reading 40 min · Listening 30 min | 90 min | 80 / 180 |
| N4 | Vocabulary 25 min · Grammar and reading 55 min · Listening 35 min | 115 min | 90 / 180 |
| N3 | Vocabulary 30 min · Grammar and reading 70 min · Listening 40 min | 140 min | 95 / 180 |
| N2 | Language knowledge (vocabulary, grammar) and reading 105 min · Listening 50 min | 155 min | 90 / 180 |
| N1 | Language knowledge (vocabulary, grammar) and reading 110 min · Listening 55 min | 165 min | 100 / 180 |
Important: The JLPT also has sectional pass marks. You must reach a minimum score in each scoring section (19 out of 60; for N4 and N5, 38 out of 120 in language knowledge and reading, and 19 out of 60 in listening), not just the total. Falling below it in any one section means failing, however high your total. Listening times can vary slightly with the recording.
JLPT Test Centres in India (2026)
These are the eight Indian test cities and their host institutions on the official JLPT list (as of September 2026). The exact venue is printed on your admit card.
| City | State | Host Institution | Sessions |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | Delhi | Mombusho Scholars Association of India (MOSAI) | July and December |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra | Japanese Language Teachers' Association, Pune (JALTAP) | July and December |
| Pune | Maharashtra | Japanese Language Teachers' Association, Pune (JALTAP) | July and December |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka | Bangalore Nihongo Kyooshi-kai (BNK) | July and December |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI, Tamil Nadu Centre | July and December |
| Karur | Tamil Nadu | Japanese Language Teachers Association | July and December |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | The Indo-Japan Welfare and Cultural Association | July and December |
| Santiniketan | West Bengal | Visva-Bharati | July only |
⚠️ Cities, hosts and levels offered can change from session to session. Before you register, check the official list of overseas test cities and host institutions on jlpt.jp, then your host's own website.
How to Apply for JLPT in India — Step by Step
JLPT India Application Flowchart
Find your city's host institution
Open the official list of overseas test cities on jlpt.jp, find your city under India and follow the link to its host. Each host announces its own application window.
Register online during the window
Windows are a few weeks long and some levels fill early. For the December 2026 test, for example, BNK in Bengaluru took applications from 3 to 31 August 2026.
Fill in your details
Enter your name exactly as on your photo ID, your date of birth, contact details, the level (N1–N5) and the test city. MOSAI in New Delhi, for example, asks for a passport-size photo and a scan of your photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, driving licence or passport).
Pay the fee
Pay online on your host's portal (MOSAI takes UPI, cards and net banking). Fees are set by each host: for December 2026 they ran from about ₹2,200 for N5 to ₹2,800 for N1 (see the table below). Check your host's refund rules before you pay.
Get your admit card
Hosts send the admit card (test voucher) by email or post in the weeks before the test. It shows your venue and reporting time.
Sit the exam
The test is on the first Sunday of July or December. In India, N1 and N2 usually sit in the morning and N3, N4 and N5 in the afternoon. Bring the admit card and your photo ID; phones and other devices must be switched off and put away.
Check your results
Results are published online on jlpt.jp about two months after the test (from 27 August 2026 for the July 2026 test). Your host then sends the score report, and the certificate if you pass: in mid-October for the July test and mid-March for the December test.
Official Links for JLPT in India
Overseas Test Cities and Host Institutions
The official list: find India, your city, its host institution's website and which sessions it holds.
Global JLPT Official Website
Complete information about JLPT levels, test dates, score reports and online results.
JLPT Official Sample Questions
Download free official sample questions for every level (N1–N5) to understand the exam format.
The Japan Foundation, New Delhi
The Japan Foundation's office in India, with information on the JLPT and the JFT-Basic test.
JLPT Fees in India (December 2026)
Each host sets its own fee. These are two hosts' published fees for the December 2026 test:
| Level | MOSAI, New Delhi | ABK-AOTS, Chennai |
|---|---|---|
| N5 | ₹2,200 | ₹2,207 |
| N4 | ₹2,200 | ₹2,336 |
| N3 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,499 |
| N2 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,661 |
| N1 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,791 |
Both include GST; Chennai adds a payment-gateway fee. Fees can change every session, so always check your own host's page before paying.
JLPT Exam Calendar for India
| Activity | July Test | December Test |
|---|---|---|
| Test day | First Sunday of July (5 July 2026) | First Sunday of December (6 December 2026) |
| Registration | Window set by each host; check its site early | August at the hosts we checked (BNK: 3–31 August 2026) |
| Admit card | A few weeks before the test | November |
| Online results | Late August (from 27 August 2026) | About two months after the test |
| Score report and certificate | Mid-October, via your host | Mid-March, via your host |
JLPT vs. Other Japanese Tests in India
| Feature | JLPT | NAT-TEST | JFT-Basic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organised by | Japan Foundation + JEES | Senmon Kyouiku Publishing Co., Ltd. | Japan Foundation |
| How often in India | Twice a year (July, December) | Every month at one or more cities (2026) | Computer-based, booked online through Prometric |
| Levels / results | N5–N1 (5 levels) | 5Q–1Q (5 levels) | One test, rated A1, A2.1 or A2.2 (CEFR) |
| Tests speaking? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Best for | Universities, jobs, Highly Skilled Professional points, SSW visa (N4) | Student visa, TITP nursing care, frequent practice | SSW (i) and Employment for Skill Development visas |
More on the alternatives in our NAT-TEST India guide and our SSW visa guide.
How to Prepare for JLPT in India
- N5 / N4: 6–12 months of consistent daily study is usually enough. LenGaki's roadmap takes you from hiragana to N5, and its vocabulary, kanji and grammar are grouped by JLPT level (N4 and above with Pro).
- N3: 12–18 months. Begin sentence mining from authentic materials. Study all N3 grammar patterns (Bunpro or LenGaki's grammar library).
- N2: 18–24 months. Native content reading (NHK Easy → real newspapers). Intensive kanji study (800–1,000 kanji).
- N1: 2–4+ years. Full immersion approach. Near-native reading speed required.
- Sample questions: Download official JLPT sample questions from jlpt.jp for free — they are the best indicator of the actual exam difficulty.
- Mock tests: Take full timed mock tests 4–6 weeks before the exam. LenGaki's N5 mock exams sets 1 and 2 are free, and JLPT Sensei (jlptsensei.com) has free downloadable practice tests for every level.
🎯 Start JLPT Prep with LenGaki Today
Every vocabulary list, kanji page, grammar point and flashcard deck on LenGaki is grouped by JLPT level, and the 73-lesson roadmap takes you from hiragana to N5. Start now and you can be ready for the next July or December test.
