CMA Foundation · exam guide
CMA Foundation Registration
Checked against ICMAI's official pages, as of 12 October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm on the official site before you act.
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Foundation admission is taken online through the ICMAI student portal or through a Regional Council, Chapter or accredited institution, and must be completed by the cut-off date for the exam term. Exam forms are a separate, online-only step for each term.
Steps to register
- 1Take admission to the Foundation Course online at eicmai.in (student portal) or by submitting the admission form at a Regional Council, Chapter or accredited institution, with proof of qualification and age. Students from abroad apply to the Directorate of Studies, Kolkata.
- 2Complete admission by 31 January for the June term exam or 31 July for the December term exam of the same calendar year (at least four months before the exam).
- 3Undergo the compulsory coaching for the Foundation Course, by postal (e-learning) or oral coaching, chosen at the time of admission.
- 4Fill in the examination application form online for the term (icmai.in, Students, Examination, Online Application for Examination) and pay the exam fee online. For December 2026 no offline forms or demand drafts were accepted.
- 5Download the admit card; detailed exam-day instructions come with it.
Fees
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation course fee (postal or oral coaching) | Rs 6,000 | Overseas students USD 250 (postal). Per the CMA Prospectus 2025 fee table; payable by 31 January (June term) or 31 July (December term). GST applies where applicable. |
| Cost of prospectus | Rs 250 | CMA Prospectus 2025 |
| Foundation examination fee (inland centres) | Rs 1,500 | December 2026 term |
| Foundation examination fee (overseas centres) | USD 100 | December 2026 term |
| Late fee for the exam form | Rs 500 | December 2026 term, for forms submitted 15 to 21 October 2026 |
Validity: On admission a student receives an Identification Number, which is valid for 3 years. A student with provisional admission has 36 months to convert to regular status. A valid Identification Number is a condition for sitting the Foundation examination.