CA Foundation serves as the entry-level course in the Chartered Accountancy program, acting as the first step towards becoming a Chartered Accountant. It consists of four papers that students must complete in order to progress to the next levels of CA Intermediate and CA Final. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is the official regulatory body overseeing the CA profession in India. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the CA Foundation course, one should explore various aspects such as eligibility criteria, exemptions, registration process, fees, subjects and syllabus, examination details, and result announcements.
CA Foundation is the initial level of the Chartered Accountant course, preceding CA Intermediate and CA Final. Exams for CA Foundation are conducted biannually in May and November. This level comprises four papers that students must complete to qualify for the intermediate stage. Meeting the eligibility criteria is necessary for registration and examination enrollment. Below, you will find the eligibility criteria for CA Foundation.
To enroll in CA Foundation, a student must fulfill the following eligibility criteria.
Candidates must have passed the class 12th examination conducted by an examination body recognized by the central government.
Candidates must have passed the class 10th examination conducted by an examination body recognized by the central government.
Candidates must complete a four-month study period from the date of registration to be eligible to appear in the CA Foundation.
If a student meets certain conditions, they can be exempted from appearing in the CA Foundation examination and instead directly apply for entry into the Intermediate level.
Candidates who have qualified CS Executive level from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICAI).
Candidates who have completed graduation or post-graduation in the commerce stream have secured a minimum of 55% marks.
Candidates who have qualified CMA Intermediate level from the Institute of Cost and Management of India (ICMAI).
Candidates who have completed graduation from any stream and have secured a minimum of 60% marks.
To complete the registration process for CA Foundation, students need to visit the official website of ICAI and complete the application form. Additionally, they are required to make the registration fee payment in order to successfully register for the course.
Drag your mouse over to “E-SERVICES” and click on “Students Services”.
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to complete the registration process.
Now, you will be asked to upload scanned copies of some documents.
The last step would be to pay the fee.
Scroll down and click on “Entry Level Forms”.
Visit the official website of
Fill out the details. A registration number and password will be sent to you.
Login using those credentials.
Fill out the rest of the details asked.
The following are the registration fees for CA Foundation:
$325
CA Course Fees
$20
Rs.200
Rs.9000
Examination fees
Registration fees
$700
Rs.1500
Rs.200
Indian Students
International Students
$20
Journal membership fees
Prospectus
Exam Form
Indian Students
Students intending to take the CA Foundation exam must complete the exam/application form within the specified timeline set by ICAI. Additionally, an exam fee will be levied. In case a student misses the deadline, a one-week extension is granted, but after that, they will not be permitted to appear for the examination.
Candidates must bring their admit card to the examination as entry will not be permitted without it. Admit cards are not sent to students through email or phone. Instead, they must be downloaded from the ICAI's website portal. The admit cards are typically released 14 days prior to the exam date.
Click on Self Services Portal and log in with your User ID and password.
Your admit card will be displayed on your screen.
Cross-check all your details and download!
Click on the view option for admit card for CA Foundation.
Visit the official website of
Online Center-Based.
Mode of Exam
Duration of Exam
ICAI conducts CA Foundation exams twice a year in May and November. To be eligible for CA Intermediate registration, students must meet ICAI's passing criteria and clear the examination.
Now, let's examine the CA Inter exam pattern for more comprehensive details.
Type of Questions
No of Papers
Subjective and Objective.
Hindi or English
Language
Paper 1 and 2 will be of 3 hours. Paper 3 and 4 will be of 2 hours.
Marking Scheme
Passing Criteria
If you are a student aspiring to become a Chartered Accountant and seeking online classes and video lectures, you can explore TopLad's CA Foundation Online Classes.
Minimum of 40% in each subject and a minimum of 50% in aggregate.
4 Papers
No of Groups
2, Group 1 & Group 2
Total Marks
100 in each paper, Total marks = 400
Subjective (Paper 1 & 2) — NO negative marking For objective papers (Paper 3 and 4) — V4 mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.
Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting
The CA Foundation exam is a combination of subjective and objective questions, carrying a total of 400 marks.
Reasoning & Statistics
The CA Foundation Course syllabus is categorized into four papers, each covering specific subjects.
Paper 2: Business Laws and Business
Correspondence and Reporting
Paper 3: Business Mathematics and Logical
Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge
Allocate ample time for preparation and avoid leaving it until the last minute. Begin early and gradually make consistent progress, prioritizing the quality of your study sessions.
Clearing CA exams is a challenging task that demands dedication, meticulous planning, strategic approach, and professional guidance. To enhance your preparation, here are some valuable tips to consider.
Once the Foundation exam is completed, candidates can access their results through the official website of ICAI. To successfully pass this level and progress to CA Inter, candidates must score a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and an aggregate of 50% marks. In case the passing criteria are not met, candidates have the opportunity to reappear for the exam in the next term.
Before devising your study plan, it's crucial to identify what methods work best for you. Consider your personal preferences to determine whether you are more productive studying in the early morning or late at night, prefer online or offline coaching classes, and thrive under a strict or relaxed schedule. Make a note of your answers and plan accordingly.
Maintain a healthy diet and stay physically active to support your overall well-being.
Avoid acquiring excessive study materials. Instead, focus on obtaining high-quality materials from your institute and dedicate your practice to them. Remember, quality surpasses quantity.
Enroll in an affordable coaching institute that can serve as your guide, providing essential information, updates, announcements, and study materials in addition to comprehensive syllabus coverage.
Regularly practice with mock test papers and solve previous year's papers to enhance your skills in solving questions.
One of the most crucial yet often overlooked tips is not to make studying your entire life. Engage in outdoor activities, play sports, meditate, meet friends, or pursue activities you love. If your mind is not content and at peace, your preparation may be affected.
Consider exploring TopLad's CA online/offline coaching classes, where we have assisted numerous students in realizing their aspirations of becoming Chartered Accountants.
Students have the option to prepare for CA Foundation exams through self-study or by enrolling in coaching classes. However, it is highly recommended to join coaching classes to ensure comprehensive preparation. Coaching institutes offer effective strategies and study plans to increase your chances of passing the exams successfully in one attempt.