your ielts will be under the new rules then (since you said you get higher with the new rule).
Only some people (depending on when they submit their IELTS or something like that) can be decided on the new and the old rules, whichever is better for them. Everyone else goes onto the new rules. If you say the new rules gives you higher score, then you will be on the new rules.
I don't know. You'd have to go to CIC website and see. I am at airport with iPod touch, its too difficult, tedious for me to go to that site without laptop. I am sure someone will reply.
Why don't you go to this CIC website. Read everything on there, follow the links "Who can apply, How to apply..... and finally take the test to find out how many points you will get. It is very simple and the good thing is, you can take it as many times as possible. You can always interchange to see who should be the principal applicant - U or UR Wife. You can also select the "low points option" so that you know that in case they allot u less points than what u think, Would U still qualify.
Satha, it would be really beneficial for you to listen to what BobbyB suggests. First of all, I could get the points for you but in all honesty, i would do it fast and make mistake. You would not make a mistake because it is YOUR application. Secondly, going through the process of checking the points will give you insight into other important things in your application. I am pretty sure someone who doesn't go through that site will have their application returned because there are small nuances that is important. Thirdly, more relevant questions may be raised by going through the process of checking the points and you will ask those relevant questions. IF someone else gives you the points, you will never come across those relevant questions.