Omar Wani

August 12, 2025

The Great Indian English Rush: Why Demand for Proficiency Tests is Soaring


India's appetite for English proficiency tests is growing at an unprecedented rate, with the impact reverberating far beyond the major metropolitan hubs. From a record-breaking number of students heading abroad to a hiring boom in Tier-2 cities, the demand for certified English skills is transforming into a major industry.

The Surge in Demand: A Story Told in Numbers

  1. A Market on the Rise
    The global English-testing market is projected to double its revenue by 2032, with India standing out as one of its most powerful growth engines.
  2. The Student Exodus
    The number of Indian students enrolling in overseas universities has surged from 4.4 lakh in 2021 to 7.6 lakh in 2023 and is forecasted to hit two million by 2025. This academic migration directly fuels the demand for proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo.
  3. Record-Breaking Test Volumes
  • In the last year alone, approximately 1.8 million English proficiency tests were taken across India.
  • The state of Punjab contributes roughly 6 lakh test-takers annually.
  • Pearson's PTE test experienced a remarkable 90% growth in volume.
  • The number of IELTS tests administered has risen by 10–15% since the pre-Covid era.

A Look at India's Preferred English Tests
The choice of test among Indian aspirants reflects a dynamic and competitive field, shaped by cost, speed, and specific requirements.


With a 49% share, IELTS is the most popular choice among Indian test-takers and is typically used for study, migration, and work. The test is available in both computer and paper-based formats, costs ₹17,000, and provides results within 3 to 5 days.

PTE Academic is preferred by 34% of test-takers for study and migration purposes. It is a computer-only exam that costs ₹17,000 and delivers results within 48 hours.

The Duolingo English Test, holding an 11% share, is mainly used for university admissions. It is taken online at home, costs ₹6,000, and also provides results within 48 hours.

Finally, TOEFL iBT is the choice for 6% of students, particularly those applying to universities in the US and EU. It can be taken at a test centre or at home, costs ₹16,900, and results are available in 4 to 8 days.

*Based on a 2025 student-preference poll.

What's driving the shift? The evolving mix of preferences is influenced by the affordability of tests like Duolingo, the faster results offered by PTE, and destination-specific mandates, such as IELTS for Canada and the UK or TOEFL for the United States.


Tier-2 Cities: The New Frontier for English-Led Growth

The race for English-proficient talent is no longer confined to metros. Tier-2 hubs like Chandigarh, Jaipur, Vadodara, Lucknow, and Kochi are emerging as the new economic battlegrounds.

  • Job postings in Tier-2 cities surged by 42%, significantly outpacing the 19% growth seen in Tier-1 metros.
  • The IT sector alone registered a 53% year-on-year increase in vacancies in these locations.
  • Leading BPO companies intend to hire over 4,000 language specialists from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns.
  • Engineers with demonstrable English fluency can command salaries that are 30–50% higher.

Why Employers are Investing in Tier-2 Talent

  1. Global Collaboration: Companies in the IT, BFSI, and BPO sectors need articulate professionals to manage client-facing roles and ensure seamless remote teamwork.
  2. Cost-Efficiency: Firms can cut operational costs by 20–30% on salaries and real estate in Tier-2 cities but are unwilling to compromise on high-quality communication skills.
  3. Government Incentives: State-level initiatives, including Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and IT parks, are championing English-language upskilling to attract multinational corporations.

The Training Industry Boom: Closing the Skills Deficit

Despite the soaring demand, a significant skills gap persists—an estimated 97% of Indian engineers face challenges with spoken English. This has catalyzed the growth of a massive
₹74,000-crore language-training industry. This ecosystem, comprising corporate boot camps, online coaching applications, and government-backed ITES/BPO courses, is expanding rapidly to meet the nation's needs.

Key Takeaways

  • A Gateway to Opportunity: An English proficiency scorecard has become an essential prerequisite for anyone pursuing overseas studies, permanent residency, or a global career.
  • Tier-2 Cities on the Rise: In India's emerging economic hubs, strong English skills are now directly tied to robust hiring and higher earning potential.
  • A Flourishing Market: The convergence of these trends presents a long-term and lucrative opportunity for test providers, ed-tech firms, and language trainers.

About Omar Wani

Thank you for reading my mails to the world. These includes notes on love, experiences, observations, and reminders (many times to myself) about how I live by the day, day by day.

Along the way, I read beautiful words, eat awesome food, experience great brands, and take notes that I love to share with peers, colleagues, clients and you on empathy, understanding, life, and all that is just so great about being alive!

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