EC-Council's CEH v13 is the first major version that genuinely integrates AI across the curriculum — not as a marketing chapter, but as concrete content on AI-driven recon, prompt-injection attacks, AI-assisted exploitation and defensive uses of LLMs in SOC operations. Whether that makes it worth your time in 2026 is a more interesting question than 'is CEH still relevant?' Let's break it down.
What's actually new in v13
- AI-driven reconnaissance (LLM-assisted OSINT, target profiling)
- Prompt-injection attacks against LLM-integrated applications
- AI-assisted exploitation (LLMs for fuzzing, pattern matching, payload generation)
- Detection-engineering use cases — LLMs in SOC playbooks
- Updated OWASP Top 10 mappings (covers LLM Top 10 separately)
- Refreshed labs around modern cloud, container and Kubernetes attacks
Pricing in India 2026
| Item | List price (₹) | With ATC |
|---|---|---|
| CEH v13 self-paced | 55,000 | — |
| CEH v13 instructor-led (5-day) | 75,000 | 55,000–60,000 |
| CEH Master (CEH + CEH Practical) | 85,000 | 65,000–70,000 |
| Exam voucher only | 30,000 | 30,000 |
| iLabs add-on | 15,000 | Included with ATC |
Syllabus — 20 modules in v13
- Introduction to Ethical Hacking + AI-aware threat modelling
- Footprinting & Reconnaissance (with AI-assisted OSINT)
- Scanning Networks · Enumeration
- Vulnerability Analysis · System Hacking
- Malware Threats · Sniffing · Social Engineering
- DoS/DDoS · Session Hijacking
- Web Application Hacking + LLM Top 10
- SQL Injection · Wireless · Mobile · IoT · Cloud · Cryptography
- AI-driven exploitation · prompt injection · model abuse
- Defending with AI — LLMs in SOC playbooks
Exam mechanics
- 125 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours
- Cut score: 60–85% (calibrated per question difficulty)
- Pass rate (industry-wide): ~70% for prepared candidates
- Format: online proctored or at Pearson VUE centres in Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore
Where CEH v13 actually helps in India
- BFSI hiring filters — most banks list CEH as required for SOC / pentest roles
- Government & PSU bidding — DoD 8570 equivalent, often mandatory
- Big-4 audit & advisory — CEH + CISA = audit/advisory hiring stack
- Foreign work visas — recognised globally, easier paperwork
How to pick an EC-Council ATC in India
- Verify the ATC status directly on EC-Council's website
- Ask for the trainer's CEI (Certified EC-Council Instructor) credentials
- Check whether iLabs is included or separately priced
- Look for places running CEH Master tracks (CEH + Practical) — proof of depth
- Avoid centres advertising 'CEH v13 dump' — these guarantee failure on AI-aware questions
Train with Macksofy
Macksofy's CEH v13 ATC track is one of several hands-on tracks Macksofy delivers across India and the UAE. CERT-In empanelled, OffSec/EC-Council authorized, with weekend cohorts and corporate batches.