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Updated 12 July 2022

With India’s mild decline in the COVID-19 infection rate and the discovery of the Omicron variant, the government has since recognized the importance of both testing and isolation to mitigate and control the pandemic within the community. In addition to the existing COVID-19 tests being conducted in state-owned health facilities, numerous private labs and test facilities are also offering test services for the general public. These test centers provide Real-Time RT PCR, TrueNat Test and CBNAAT Test for COVID-19.

The following are guidelines to where, when, and whether you should get yourself tested for COVID-19 in India’s major cities.

Table of Contents

When should I get a COVID-19 test?

This may be somewhat confusing since the initial stage of COVID-19 infection is quite similar to that of the common flu. However, in most cases, the following symptoms tend to last longer than the common cold or fever:

Fever
Difficulties in breathing
Cough

Other clinical symptoms included in the list by the ICMR are:

Sore throat
Fatigue
Mucous formation and running nose
Muscle pain
Anosmia or loss of taste
Ageusia or loss of smell

Gastrointestinal problems are also not uncommon. It is advisable that if any symptom surfaces, you seek medical assistance instead of indulging in self-medication. Take medications as your physician prescribes. If you see the symptoms are persisting for more than three days even after administering medicine, you can go for a COVID test.

When and where can I get tested?

Generally speaking, hospitals and other government healthcare installations throughout the country serve as testing facilities for coronavirus. But in an effort to more comprehensively trace, identify and isolate new cases of infection, the Indian government through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued a comprehensive list of government and private laboratories aimed to mass test the population.

Here are the testing guidelines and centres in different cities across India.

As advised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, you should call the toll-free number 1075 or central helpline number +91-11-23978046 for information before paying the facility of your choice a visit.

Bangalore

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Bangalore here. For detailed info on test procedures and home testing options, click here.

Available types of COVID-19 tests include the RT-PCR test, Rapid Antibody test, TruNat, Rapid Antigen test, and CB-NAAT test. The RT-PCR test will cost INR 500, TrueNat INR 1,250, CBNAAT INR 1,600, rapid antigen test INR 400, and rapid antibody test INR 500. An RT-PCR test will cost Rs 400, if the sample is referred by government authorities to a private lab.

The state has done away with all testing (except for passengers from Goa) and quarantine requirements, but thermal screening still remains in place. International travellers will have to follow additional guidelines such as random testing on arrival. At Bengaluru International Airport those arriving from Japan and Thailand, should undergo thermal screening upon arrival and undergo RT-PCR testing if symptomatic.

Click here to know more about the airport testing facilities.

Chennai

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Chennai here.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, TruNat, and CB-NAAT test. RT-PCR testing costs INR 550 at government centres and Rs. 900 at private clinics.

Only symptomatic passengers from Maharashtra and Kerala are subject to COVID testing and 7 days of isolation. Travellers arriving in Coimbatore must have an Auto e-Pass and also carry a negative COVID-19 PCR report that was undertaken within 72 hours from the time of departure. Passengers travelling to Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi are required to carry either a valid vaccination certificate, a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours from the time of boarding or a valid medical certificate issued by the relevant authorities stating that the passenger has recovered from COVID‑19 within 1 month from the date of recovery to the date of arrival.

Delhi

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Delhi here.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, Rapid Antibody test, TruNat, and Rapid Antigen test. RT-PCRs cost INR 200 for samples collected by the government and INR 300 for samples collected by laboratories at the behest of the government.

All domestic passengers will be thermally screened at the airport. There will also be random sample collection. Passengers who are found positive will be quarantined at home or CCC/CHC/Hospital for 10 days. International travellers arriving at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport can avail of the COVID-19 testing (if required) and can pre-book their RT-PCR tests here.

Passengers arriving from international destinations are required to submit a Self-Declaration Form on the Air Suvidha portal and upload the negative RT-PCR test report or COVID-19 vaccination certificate of having completed the primary vaccination schedule. Passengers arriving from Ukraine will have to undergo RT-PCR testing on arrival at the Airport.

Hyderabad

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Hyderabad here.

Testing is not mandatory on arrival in Telangana. The COVID-19 PCR testing facility can be availed at Hyderabad Airport by all departing and arriving passengers. The sample collection facility is located at the International Arrivals and Departures. Passengers who are subject to COVID-19 testing on arrival at Hyderabad Airport must fill in the COVID-19 test consent form.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, Rapid Antibody test, TruNat, Rapid Antigen test, and CB-NAAT test. Cost varies from free of charge to INR 1,500 depending on the type of test and choice of facility. Expect to pay around INR 500 as it is the new cap rate in Hyderabad. For home collection such as VFS Global’s ‘at your door’ testing, the charge is INR 750 for the added logistics. The testing of the sample is free at government laboratories.

Kolkata

Find the list of available testing laboratories here.

There are no restrictions on domestic passengers arriving in Kolkata, but subject to the condition that the passengers are either fully vaccinated or can present a PCR test conducted within 72 hours from the time-of-flight departure. Only international passengers arriving by flights from the United Kingdom to Kolkata airport will need to undergo 100% COVID-19 test (90% RAT and 10% PCR) on arrival.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, Rapid Antibody test, TruNat, Rapid Antigen test, and CB-NAAT test. RT-PCR test prices have been capped at INR 950.

Lucknow

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Lucknow here.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, Rapid Antibody test, TruNat and CB-NAAT test. The price of RT-PCR tests at private hospitals or labs has been fixed at Rs. 600.

Passengers travelling from Kerala and Maharashtra to Uttar Pradesh state are mandatorily required to be in possession of RT-PCR negative report of not older than 72 hours from an ICMR accredited lab or a COVID vaccination Final Certificate (i.e., two doses complete and 15 days have surpassed after the receipt of the 2nd dose). RT-PCR timeline starts from the swab collection time.

Mumbai

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Mumbai here. For detailed info on test procedures and home testing options, click here.

Passengers will either have to be fully vaccinated or compulsorily carry a PCR negative test certificate that was taken within 72 hours before boarding for arrival into Maharashtra. Children below 5 years are exempt from PCR testing. In exceptional cases like family distress etc. testing may be allowed on arrival at the airport in Mumbai.

Passengers departing from Mumbai airport can avail of the COVID-19 PCR testing facility which is located opposite to Departure Gate 7 (T2). Test results will take up to 8-10 hours and results for the same will be conveyed via email. Amount charged for the test is INR 500, while Rapid RT-PCR test is available at a charge of INR 1975 per test and the results are provided within 1-2 hours

International arrivals can avail of the COVID-19 testing facility at Terminal 2 Level P4, Ground Transportation Lobby (GTL) and pre-arrival immigration.

Noida

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Noida here.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, Rapid Antibody test, TruNat and CB-NAAT test. The price of RT-PCR tests at private hospitals or labs has been fixed at Rs. 700. The labs will charge Rs 900 per RT-PCR test if they collect the sample from the patient’s home.

Patna

You can find the official list of available testing laboratories in Patna here.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, TruNat, and CB-NAAT test. The Bihar government has capped the RT-PCR tests at INR 800. These tests are done free of cost at government facilities.

Domestic arrivals who have taken both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or are carrying a negative PCR report generated within 72 hours of travel, will be exempted from testing on arrival.

International travellers arriving at Patna Airport will have to undergo Rapid Antigen test upon arrival at the airport. Some passengers will be randomly selected for collection of samples for RT-PCR test.

Pune

Find the list of available testing laboratories and home testing options along with their opening hours, testing procedure, and results delivery here.

Available types of COVID-19 test, include the RT-PCR test, Rapid Antibody test, TruNat, Rapid Antigen test, and CB-NAAT test. Cost varies depending on the type of test and choice of facility. Recently, the prices of RT-PCR tests have been slashed to INR 500 at the collection centre, INR 600 at a COVID Care Centre or a quarantine centre, and INR 800 for home collections.

The price of the test at the airport has been slashed to INR 500.