Rules and Regulations

RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING DELF AND DALF EXAMINATIONS 2019

1 – 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 Pro (DELF option Professionnelle), 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 the Centre International d’Études Pédagogiques in India (Cf. list available on http://www.ciep.fr/delfdalf/annuaire_centres.php).

2 – VALIDITY OF DELF / DALF DIPLOMASThe 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.

3 – ELIGIBILITY FOR APPEARING FOR DELF / DALF EXAMINATIONS

• Any person wishing to enhance their French language skills may appear for DELF / DALF without any pre-requisites, except for those holding a French degree in secondary or higher secondary public education.
• Appearing for DELF Junior is restricted to candidates aged between 11 to 17 years of age as on the day of the examination.
• Appearing for DELF Prim is strictly restricted to primary school pupils aged between 8 to 12 years old.
• There are no age restrictions on the other versions of DELF / DALF.
• The DELF / DALF diplomas are independent: it is not necessary to be the holder of the former diploma to appear for an examination to obtain either of the two degrees.
• A candidate may appear for several examinations during the same session, but may not appear for two versions at the same level (e.g. DELF A2 and DELF Pro A2).
• A candidate may appear for the same examination as many times as may be necessary for obtaining the desired diploma. However, they may not appear for a diploma they already hold, except if 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.

4 – PROCEDURE FOR APPEARING FOR DELF / DALF EXAMINATION

4.1 The candidate must come to the examination centre for registration on the designated registration dates (check timings at Centre). They must fill in a registration form, produce a photo identity card, submit a recent passport-size photograph and pay the registration fees. The dates and timings of all written exams are the same at all centres in India.

Oral exam dates and timings may vary per centre and may be held over the week/weekend preceding or following the written exam week. Candidates are expected to check the examination centre’s website for the same and verify regularly for any updates the week  before the oral and written exams.

• 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.
• The registration fees for each diploma are fixed by the l’Institut français en Inde for all the examination centres in India for one calendar year. For information on the fees, please contact the examination centre of your choice.
• In case of a minor, the form must be signed by one of the parents.

5 – CANCELLATION / REIMBURSEMENT
The DELF / DALF registration fees are neither refundable nor transferable.

6 – PROOF OF IDENTITY OF THE CANDIDATES
The candidate must produce an official national photo identity card 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.

7 – DELAY
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. Registration fees shall not be refunded.

8- USE OF UNFAIR MEANS
Using unfair means during examinations constitutes an offence under the French Law of 23 December 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 five years.

9 – DECLARATION OF RESULTS
Once available, the results will be declared by each of the examination centres on the same date on their respective websites. Detailed results will not be conveyed by telephone. The grades obtained by candidates in DELF / DALF examinations are confidential and cannot be made public by the examination centre or conveyed to a third party.

10 – 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 are sovereign (Conseil d’État – SEBAN – 29.07.83) and no review is allowed against decisions taken in application of this regulation.

11 – COLLECTION OF DELF / DALF CERTIFICATES

• 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.
• If a candidate is unable to collect their DELF / DALF certificate in person, they may designate a person to do so through an authorization letter. The authorization letter must duly give the identity and the signature of its bearer, attested by the candidate. The bearer of the authorization letter must also produce an identity card when collecting the certificate.

12 – 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.

13 – 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.

14 – 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 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.).

15 – FINAL PROVISIONS

• The general conditions herein laid down are an integral part of the DELF/DALF registration form signed with the examination centre.
• These general conditions are subject to French law and any dispute arising from these shall be referred to the competent French authorities.