Rules and Regulations outlined by the Embassy of France in India for DELF-DALF Examinations
Foreword
- The DELF and DALF are national examinations.
- A national uniform rate is applied to all the examination centres across the country.
- The examinations calendar specifying all the exam sessions for the year is scheduled at the beginning of the year. This calendar is published on the French Institute’s website.
- All examination centres are approved by the Embassy of France in India.
- SCOPE OF APPLICATION
The general conditions of this document apply to all candidates appearing for the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue française), DELF Junior (DELF version junior), DELF Prim (DELF for primary school pupils) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) examinations, hereinafter referred to as DELF/DALF, at any of the examination centres officially approved by France Education Nationale in India (Complete list of centres available
on this link). - VALIDITY OF DELF / DALF DIPLOMAS
The DELF / DALF diplomas are given the same recognition as all official diplomas/degrees issued by the French Ministry of National Education and have lifelong validity. - ELIGIBILITY FOR APPEARING FOR DELF / DALF EXAMINATIONS
3.1. Any person wishing to enhance their French language skills may appear for DELF/DALF without any prerequisites.
3.2. Appearing for DELF Junior is restricted to candidates aged between 11 to 17 years of age as on the day of the examination or in classes 6 to 12.
3.3. Appearing for DELF Prim is strictly restricted to primary school students aged between 7 to 11 years old or in classes 3 to 5.
3.5. The DELF/DALF are independent diplomas: it is not necessary to be the holder of the previous level diploma in order to appear for a higher level examination (eg: a candidate does not need to have DELF A1 to appear for the DELF A2).
3.6. A candidate may appear for several examinations during the same session, but may not appear for two versions of the same level (e.g. a candidate can apply for DELF A1 and DELF A2 at the same time but NOT for DELF A2 and DELF Pro A2 at the same time).
3.7. A candidate may appear for the same examination as many times as may be necessary for obtaining the desired diploma. However, they cannot appear for a diploma they already hold unless they surrender the already acquired diploma in a formal written letter duly submitted at least four months prior to the examination session (cf. process given below). A candidate who fares unsuccessfully in the second attempt shall lose the first diploma. - PROCEDURE FOR APPEARING FOR DELF/DALF EXAMINATION
4.1 The candidate must register online on the designated registration dates.
4.2. If any candidate had registered for DELF/DALF during a previous session, they must indicate the candidate number that had been allotted to them, regardless of the examination centre.
4.3. The registration fees for each diploma are fixed by the French Institute in India for all the examination centres in India for one calendar year. For information on the fees, please contact the examination centre of your choice. - CANCELLATION / REIMBURSEMENT
The DELF/DALF registration fees are neither refundable nor transferable. - PROOF OF IDENTITY OF THE CANDIDATES
The candidate must produce a photo identity card (Passport / Aadhar Card / Voter ID / Driving Licence) at the beginning of each oral and written examination. The examination centre reserves the right to verify the identity of the candidate at any time during the different examination stages. The candidate will not be allowed into the examination hall without presenting an appropriate photo identity card.
The examination timings are mentioned on the convocation provided to the candidate by the examination centre. Any candidate arriving late on the date of the DELF/DALF examinations shall be declared non-admissible and shall be refused entry to the examination halls. The candidates are required to be present outside the examination hall exactly 15 min before the start of the examination. The candidates will not be allowed to appear in the examination if
they reach the examination centre after the start of the examination.
Registration fees shall neither be refunded nor transferred. - DISTURBANCE
During the examination period, there must be no communication among candidates or between a student and an outsider by any means, such as phones. This rule applies to candidates in the examination hall and those on supervised breaks for visits to the bathroom. - BARRED ITEMS
French Ministry of National Education barred various items for DELF/DALF examinations. These include but are not limited to electronic items such as phones, smartphones, Bluetooth, microphones, headphones. - COVID GUIDELINES
9.1. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, it is mandatory for the applicants to wear masks.
9.2. If the temperature (< 37.4°C/99.4°F), candidates will have to undergo frisking by the staff on duty.
9.3. If the temperature is (> 37.4°C/99.4°F), candidates will not be allowed to appear for the exam. - USE OF UNFAIR MEANS
Using unfair means during examinations constitutes an offence under the French Law of December 23, 1901, on the prevention of the use of unfair means in public examinations and competitions. Any candidate caught in the act of using unfair means or attempting to use unfair means shall be debarred from appearing for DELF/DALF examinations for 5 years. - DECLARATION OF RESULTS
Once available, the results will be declared by each of the examination centres in accordance with their respective procedures. Detailed results will NOT be conveyed by telephone. The grades obtained by candidates in DELF/DALF examinations are confidential and CAN NOT be made public by the examination centre or conveyed to a third party. - REVIEW OF RESULTS OBTAINED
As DELF/DALF are State diplomas, the general rules and regulations of French examinations are applicable to them. Thus, the jury of examiners of the examination centre is sovereign (Conseil d’État – SEBAN – 29.07.83) and no review is allowed against decisions taken in application of this regulation. - COLLECTION OF DELF / DALF CERTIFICATES
13.1. DELF/DALF certificates may be collected at the examination Centre once they are available. Requests for sending the attestation of success in examinations, DELF/DALF certificates or their copies by post or e-mail will NOT be entertained.
13.2. If a candidate is unable to collect their DELF/DALF certificate in person, they may designate a person to do so through an authorisation letter which MUST include ALL of the following details:
– The Full Name and the Signature of the Candidate who appeared for the DELF or DALF along with their 12-Digit Candidate Number.
– The Session (Month and Year) of the DELF or DALF along with the level appeared for (A1, A2, … etc.)
– The Full Name and the Signature of the Person coming to collect the Certificates
– A photo identity card (Passport / Aadhar Card / Voter ID / Driving Licence) of the Person coming to collect the Certificates
– The ORIGINAL hard copy/printed copy of the DELF/DALF Exam fee receipt was sent by the examination centre following online registration. - CHANGES TO DELF / DALF CERTIFICATE
On the day of the DELF /DALF examination, the examination centre circulates a sheet with the candidates’ personal information as declared by them during registration (surname, given name(s), date and place of birth, nationality, etc.). By signing this sheet, the candidate attests to the accuracy of the given information. If a candidate detects any error on this sheet, they must immediately inform the examination centre. Any request for change after the day of the examination will attract a fee and delay the issue of the attestation of success and the DELF/DALF certificate. - REQUEST FOR CANCELLATION OF DELF / DALF DIPLOMA
Any candidate desirous of re-appearing for the examination for a diploma they have already obtained must submit an official written request (in English or French) addressed to the President of the DELF/DALF National Jury. The letter must specify that the candidate is giving up the benefit of the diploma already obtained of their own free will and must enclose the original diploma for destruction. After due consideration of the request and in the event of a positive reply notified in writing by the competent authorities, the diploma will effectively be destroyed. Given the procedures involved, the request must reach the president of the DELF/DALF national jury at least three months prior to the examination session for which the candidate desires to appear. The candidate shall bear the diploma cancellation fees. - RESPONSIBILITY, ACTS OF GOD
The responsibility of the examination centre and its employees shall be limited to wilful misconduct or serious negligence. The centre shall NOT be responsible in any manner if whatsoever in the event that any examination is interrupted due to an act of God (natural calamities, fire, flood, war, administrative instructions independent of the Examination Centre etc.). - FINAL PROVISIONS
17.1. The general conditions herein laid down are an integral part of the DELF/DALF registration form signed with the examination centre.
17.2. These general conditions are subject to French law and any dispute arising from these shall be referred to the competent French authorities.