CA Foundation · exam guide
CA Foundation Registration
Checked against ICAI's official pages, as of 12 October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm on the official site before you act.
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Registration and exam applications are both made online on the ICAI Self Service Portal (eservices.icai.org). Course registration is a one-time step; the exam form is filled separately for each attempt.
Steps to register
- 1Create a login on the Self Service Portal at eservices.icai.org.
- 2Register for the Foundation Course and pay the registration fee online.
- 3After registration is confirmed, ICAI emails login details for ordering study material through the Centralised Distribution System (CDS) portal; the study material is also on the BoS Knowledge Portal.
- 4Meet the registration cut-off: on or before 1 January for the May exam, 1 May for the September exam, and 1 September of the previous year for the January exam.
- 5Fill the online exam application form for each attempt when ICAI opens the window (usually about two months before the exam) and pay the exam fee online.
- 6Download the admit card from eservices.icai.org, generally hosted about 14 days before the exam. No physical admit card is sent.
Fees
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Course registration fee | Rs 9,000 | includes the CA Course prospectus and Foundation study material; ICAI FAQ last updated 27 September 2024 |
| Exam fee, Indian centres | Rs 1,500 | January 2027 exam |
| Exam fee, overseas centres (Dubai, Bahrain) | US$ 325 | January 2027 exam |
| Exam fee, Kathmandu (Nepal) centre | INR 2,200 | January 2027 exam |
| Late fee for the exam form | Rs 600 (US$ 10 at overseas centres) | January 2027 exam |
Validity: Foundation registration is valid for four years from the first eligible attempt. Revalidation is not permitted at the Foundation level.