CA Foundation

CA Foundation 2026 Overview

The CA Foundation is the entry-level exam for the Chartered Accountancy (CA) course in India, conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It replaced the earlier Common Proficiency Test (CPT) and is the first step toward becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Educational Qualification:

    • Must have passed Class 10 to register provisionally.

    • Must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) to appear for the exam.

  • Registration:

    • Register with ICAI for the Foundation course (minimum four months before the exam).

    • Provisional registration is allowed after Class 10; full registration after passing Class 12.

  • Age Limit:

    • No age limit.

  • Exemptions:

    • Graduates/postgraduates (Commerce: 55%+; Others: 60%+) can directly register for the CA Intermediate course, bypassing Foundation.

Syllabus

The CA Foundation syllabus comprises four papers:

  1. Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting (100 marks, Subjective)

    • Theoretical Framework

    • Accounting Process

    • Bank Reconciliation

    • Inventories, Depreciation, Bills of Exchange, Final Accounts, Partnership, Company Accounts16.

    2. Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting (100 marks, Subjective)

    • Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, Partnership Act, Companies Act, Business Correspondence, Reporting16.

    3. Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics (100 marks, Objective/MCQ)

    • Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, Statistics16.

    4. Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge (100 marks, Objective/MCQ)

    • Micro and Macro Economics, Business and Commercial Knowledge16.

Exam Pattern

  • Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)

  • Number of Papers: 4

  • Total Marks: 400

  • Duration: 3 hours per paper (except advance reading time for Papers 1 & 2)

  • Type:

    • Papers 1 & 2: Subjective

    • Papers 3 & 4: Objective (MCQ)

  • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer in objective papers.

  • Passing Criteria:

    • Minimum 40% in each paper

    • Minimum 50% aggregate in all papers.

  • Frequency: Thrice a year (January, May, September).

Registration Process & Fees

  • How to Register:

  • Fees (2025):

    • Indian Nationals: ₹9,000 (tuition fee) + ₹200 (prospectus) = ₹9,200 (approx. total may vary).

  • Registration Validity: 3 years (up to six attempts); can be renewed

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • You must have passed Class 12 (or be appearing) and registered with ICAI. Provisional registration is allowed after Class 10.

  • Four: Accounting, Business Laws, Business Mathematics & Statistics, Business Economics & Commercial Knowledge

  • Papers 1 & 2 are subjective; Papers 3 & 4 are objective (MCQ)

  • Minimum 40% in each paper and 50% aggregate in all papers.

  • Yes, 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer in objective papers

  • Three times: January, May, September

  • +1 for every correct answer, -0.25 for every incorrect answer

  • Three years (up to six attempts); can be renewed

  • Yes, 15 minutes advance reading time for Papers 1 & 2

  • Yes, graduates/postgraduates (Commerce: 55%+, Others: 60%+) can directly register for CA Intermediate