DELF Exam 2026

The DELF exam, short for Diplôme d’études en langue française, is an official French-language diploma issued by France’s Ministry of National Education. It assesses the French language skills of non-native speakers across four levels: A1, A2, B1 and B2, which correspond to the CEFR. Unlike a temporary language test, the DELF diploma is valid for life and is recognised internationally. 

The DELF French Exam evaluates practical communication skills through listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Depending on the level you choose, the diploma can support academic, professional, or personal plans involving French. 

In this article, you will learn about DELF exam levels, eligibility, exam pattern, fees in India, dates, registration, results, preparation, and the difference between DELF and DALF. 

The key highlights of the DELF exam are as follows:

Particulars	Details
Full Form	Diplôme d’études en langue française
Exam Type	Official French-language diploma
Levels	A1, A2, B1 and B2
Framework	Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
Skills Assessed	Listening, reading, writing and speaking
Diploma Validity	Lifetime
Recognition	Internationally recognised
Target Candidates	Non-native French speakers
Exam Centres	More than 1,200 authorised centres worldwide
Exam Versions	DELF Tout Public, DELF Junior/Scolaire and DELF Prim
Higher-Level French Diploma	DALF C1 and C2 follow DELF B2

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DELF Exam Levels

The DELF French Exam is divided into four levels: A1, A2, B1 and B2, covering the beginner to upper-intermediate stages of the CEFR. Each level is a separate diploma, so you do not have to complete A1 before taking A2, B1 or B2. 

The level you choose should match your existing French skills and the requirement of your university, employer or other institution. 

The DELF levels and their corresponding proficiency are as follows:

Level	CEFR	What You Can Expect
DELF A1	A1	Understand and use basic French in simple, familiar situations
DELF A2	A2	Communicate in common everyday situations using simple language
DELF B1	B1	Manage everyday conversations, describe experiences and express opinions
DELF B2	B2	Communicate independently and discuss ideas with greater detail

The four diplomas are independent of one another, and DELF diplomas are valid for life. The DELF and DALF together cover all six CEFR levels, with DALF C1 and C2 following DELF B2.

1. DELF A1 Exam:

A1 is the entry level of the DELF. The DELF A1 French Exam focuses on simple communication, such as introducing yourself, understanding basic expressions and exchanging straightforward information. It is generally suitable for someone who is starting to learn French.

2. DELF A2 Exam:

A2 goes a step beyond basic communication. At this level, candidates are expected to manage familiar everyday situations and understand commonly used expressions. The DELF A2 exam is suitable for learners who already have a basic foundation in French.

3. DELF B1 Exam:

B1 represents an intermediate level of French. Candidates should be able to manage common situations, describe experiences and express their views on familiar topics. The DELF B1 exam therefore requires more independent communication than the A-level examinations.

4. DELF B2 Exam:

B2 is the highest DELF level and reflects an upper-intermediate command of French. Candidates need to communicate independently, understand more complex content and present or defend their ideas with reasonable clarity. Students planning to study in a French-speaking academic environment may need to check whether B2 is the required level for their chosen programme.

DELF Exam Eligibility

The DELF does not require candidates to meet a specific academic qualification before registering. The DELF Tout Public is designed mainly for adults and older teenagers who want to certify their French skills for personal, academic or professional purposes. There is also no official age limit for taking the Tout Public version. 

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

Eligibility Factor	Requirement	Who It Applies To
Academic Qualification	No specific educational qualification is required	DELF Tout Public candidates
Age	No official age restriction for the Tout Public version	Adults and older teenagers
French Background	Designed for people who want to certify their French proficiency	Non-native and eligible French candidates
Younger Candidates	Junior/Scolaire or Prim versions are available	School-age learners

The version you choose depends mainly on your age and the purpose of taking the exam. DELF Tout Public covers A1 to B2 and is intended for adults and older teenagers, while DELF Junior/Scolaire is adapted for younger students. DELF Prim is designed for children studying at primary-school level and covers A1.1, A1 and A2. 

You also do not need to pass the levels in order. The four Tout Public diplomas are independent, so you can register directly for the level that matches your French proficiency. 

DELF Exam Pattern and Syllabus

The DELF exam assesses four core French-language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The structure is broadly the same across A1, A2, B1 and B2, but the difficulty, task types and duration increase as the level gets higher. The first three components are taken as collective tests, while the speaking component is conducted individually with examiners. 

Each skill is scored out of 25 marks, giving a total of 100 marks. To pass, candidates need at least 50 marks overall and must score at least 5 marks in each section. Scoring below 5 in any one section is an eliminatory result. 

The DELF exam pattern is as follows:

Section	What It Tests	Typical Duration
Listening	Understanding spoken French through recorded conversations, announcements and other audio material	About 20–30 minutes
Reading	Understanding written texts and finding relevant information	About 30–60 minutes
Writing	Producing written responses appropriate to the candidate's level	About 30–60 minutes
Speaking	Communicating with examiners through interviews, interaction or presenting a viewpoint	About 5–20 minutes, depending on level

The exact duration and tasks depend on the level. For example, A1 includes short listening, reading and writing tasks, followed by a 5–7 minute speaking test with 10 minutes of preparation. At B2, the listening test takes about 30 minutes, reading and writing take one hour each, while the speaking test lasts 20 minutes with 30 minutes of preparation. 

1. Listening: The listening section checks how well you can understand spoken French. The recordings can include everyday conversations, announcements, radio content and other situations suited to the level. The number and length of recordings vary between A1 and B2.

2. Reading: The reading section tests your ability to understand written French and identify information from different types of texts. At the lower levels, the material is shorter and more straightforward, while B1 and B2 involve longer or more detailed texts.

3. Writing: The writing section checks whether you can communicate your ideas clearly in written French. The task depends on the level. For instance, A1 candidates may complete a form and write a short message, while B2 candidates are expected to produce an organised, argued response.

4. Speaking: The speaking section is conducted individually with examiners. Its format changes with the level, moving from simple introductions and information exchanges at A1 to expressing and defending a viewpoint at B2. Preparation time is also provided at the higher levels. 

DELF Exam Fees in India

The DELF Exam Fees in India depend on the level you choose and whether you are registering as an internal or external candidate. The 2026 fee schedule published by Alliance Française centres in India lists the same national rates for DELF A1 Exam Fees to B2. The fees include GST. 

The DELF exam fees in India are as follows:

DELF Level	External Candidate Fee	Internal Candidate Fee
DELF A1	₹11,210	₹7,286
DELF A2	₹11,210	₹7,848
DELF B1	₹13,265	₹8,756
DELF B2	₹13,265	₹8,756

An internal candidate generally refers to a student who has completed a qualifying French course at an Alliance Française centre within the specified period. The exact definition can vary by examination session, so candidates should check the rules of the centre where they plan to register. 

The DELF exam cost can therefore be higher for candidates registering externally. For example, an external candidate taking A1 or A2 pays ₹11,210, while B1 and B2 cost ₹13,265 under the 2026 national fee structure. 

DELF Exam Dates and Registration

DELF exam dates in India are set by authorised examination centres, so the available sessions can vary by location and level. France Éducation international publishes the official examination framework and calendars, while candidates need to contact an authorised centre for the exact session date, registration deadline, exam location and applicable fee.

DELF Exam Dates in India

DELF exam dates in India are announced through authorised examination centres. Unlike the schedule in France, candidates in India should follow the calendar published by their chosen Alliance Française or authorised centre. The available sessions and registration deadlines can vary slightly by location. 

The latest published Indian DELF Tout Public schedule is as follows:

Exam Session	2026 Exam Dates	Registration Period
March Session	9–13 March 2026	6–23 February 2026
June Session	15–19 June 2026	15–29 May 2026
September Session	15–19 September 2026	17–31 August 2026
December Session	7–11 December 2026	9–24 November 2026

The 2027 India-wide calendar has not yet been published across the official sources reviewed. Based on the 2026 schedule, students can expect sessions to be announced around similar periods, but the exact dates and registration windows may differ by centre and should not be assumed until officially confirmed. 

How to Register for the DELF Exam

Registering for the DELF is fairly straightforward, but the process is handled by individual authorised examination centres rather than through one central application portal. Once you have decided which level you want to take, contact your preferred centre to check the next available exam session and its registration deadline.

The centre will guide you through its registration process, including the documents required and the applicable exam fee. Before making a payment, it is worth confirming the exam date, registration deadline and whether the speaking test will be held on a separate day.

The registration process is as follows:

Step	What You Need to Do	What to Check
Choose your level	Select A1, A2, B1 or B2 based on your French proficiency	Make sure the level matches your current ability
Find an authorised centre	Locate a DELF-DALF examination centre near you	Check which levels and sessions are available
Check the exam session	Ask about upcoming exam dates	Confirm the registration deadline
Complete registration	Submit the information and documents requested by the centre	Check that all details are correct before submission
Pay the exam fee	Follow the payment instructions provided by the centre	Confirm the applicable fee and payment deadline
Receive exam details	Wait for the centre to share your exam schedule	Check the written and speaking-test dates

DELF Exam Centres in India

The DELF is conducted through authorised examination centres across India. According to the France Éducation international country profile for India, the country has 16 authorised DELF-DALF examination centres. These centres are located across different regions, giving candidates several options depending on where they live. 

The DELF-DALF centres are available in the following cities:

Region	Cities	Number of Centres Listed
North India	Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Lucknow	4
West India	Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa	4
South India	Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Puducherry	4
Other Locations	Kolkata, Bhopal, Indore and Thiruvananthapuram	4

The exact exam sessions, levels offered and registration deadlines may differ from one centre to another. Before applying, check with your chosen centre for the next available session and confirm whether your preferred DELF level is being offered.

DELF Exam Results and Passing Score

The DELF result is based on performance across all four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Each section is assessed separately, so candidates need to meet both the overall and minimum section requirements to earn the diploma.

DELF Exam Passing Score

The DELF is scored out of 100 marks, with each of the four sections carrying 25 marks. To receive the diploma, candidates need an overall score of at least 50 out of 100. They must also score at least 5 out of 25 in every individual section. A score below 5 in any one section is considered eliminatory, even if the overall score is 50 or higher. 

The passing criteria are as follows:

Requirement	Minimum Score	What It Means
Overall Score	50/100	Minimum total score required to pass
Each Section	5/25	Minimum score required in listening, reading, writing and speaking
Below 5 in Any Section	Eliminatory	The candidate does not receive the diploma

DELF Certificate Validity: Once you pass, the DELF diploma is valid for life. You do not need to renew it or retake the exam to maintain the validity of your certificate. France Éducation international also confirms that the DELF A1, A2, B1 and B2 are separate, independent diplomas. 

DELF Exam Result Timeline

DELF results are released by the examination centre after the examination jury has validated the results. The exact timing can vary by centre and examination session, but France Éducation international states that candidates should receive their results within a maximum period of two months. 

The result timeline generally follows these stages:

Stage	Expected Timeline	What Happens
DELF Exam	Exam day	Candidate completes the written and speaking tests
Evaluation	After the exam	Examiners assess the four language skills
Jury Validation	After evaluation	The examination jury validates the results
Result Declaration	Within 2 months	The examination centre communicates the result
Diploma / Certificate	After results are confirmed	The centre provides information about collecting the diploma or provisional certificate

The two-month period is a maximum timeframe, not a fixed waiting period. Some centres may publish results earlier, depending on their examination schedule and administrative process.

How to Prepare for the DELF Exam

Preparing for the DELF is mainly about understanding what your chosen level expects. Since the exam tests listening, reading, writing and speaking, it is important to practise all four skills instead of focusing only on grammar or vocabulary. France Éducation international provides level-specific information and preparation materials to help candidates understand the format and types of tasks they will face.

1. Understand the Exam Level and Format: Start by checking the requirements for your chosen level. A1 and A2 focus on basic and everyday communication, while B1 and B2 require you to communicate more independently and express your ideas in greater detail.

2. Practice Each Language Skill: Give regular attention to listening, reading, writing and speaking. Try to practise tasks similar to those used in the exam so you become comfortable with both the language level and the way questions are structured.

3. Use Official DELF Practice Resources: Official sample papers and audio materials are particularly useful because they reflect the actual exam format. France Éducation international provides level-specific sample subjects and assessment information that can help you understand what is expected in each section.

4. Take Mock Tests: Mock tests help you practise completing the paper within the official time limits. They can also show which sections need more attention before the actual exam.

DELF vs DALF

DELF and DALF are both official French-language diplomas issued by the French Ministry of National Education. The main difference is the proficiency level they certify. DELF covers levels A1 to B2, while DALF is designed for advanced users at C1 and C2. Both qualifications are internationally recognised and valid for life. 

The main differences between DELF and DALF are as follows:

Factor	DELF	DALF
Levels Covered	A1, A2, B1 and B2	C1 and C2
CEFR Category	Basic to independent user	Advanced or proficient user
Suitable For	Learners progressing from beginner to upper-intermediate French	Candidates with advanced French-language skills
Number of Diplomas	Four independent diplomas	Two independent diplomas
Skills Assessed	Listening, reading, writing and speaking	Listening, reading, writing and speaking
Validity	Valid for life	Valid for life
Purpose	Certifies French proficiency from A1 to B2	Certifies advanced French proficiency at C1 or C2

Conclusion

The DELF exam is a recognised way to certify your French language skills, whether you are learning French for education, work or personal goals. With four levels from A1 to B2, you can choose the diploma that matches your current proficiency without completing the levels in sequence. Understanding the exam pattern, passing criteria, fees, registration process and available preparation resources can help you plan your attempt more effectively. Since the diploma is valid for life, achieving the required level can provide a long-term record of your French proficiency.

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