CA Foundation Registration May 2026: Check the Process and Last Date

Know about how to complete CA Foundation Registration May 2026, including form submission steps, eligibility criteria, fee structure, and document requirements.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will stop this registration on 1 January 2026. Students can register for the May 2026 sessions by visiting the official website, icai.org. The registration fee is ₹ 9,000 for Indian students and $700 for those in America. Candidates need to complete their registration at least four months before the examination.

To qualify for the CA Foundation Examination, candidates have to register with the Board of Studies and complete the required study period. According to the new plan, the CA Foundation Examination will be started three times a year in June 2024, May/June, September, and January. The last registration deadline for the May 2026 examination was January 1, 2026.

For more information about CA Foundation Examination Registration for 2026, read the full article, including eligibility criteria and additional information.

CA Foundation Registration May 2026 Session 

Go to icai.org  to register. The fee is Rs. 9000 for Indian students and 700 for American students. Ensure that the registration has been completed at least four months before the examination. Candidates will have to register with the Board of Studies and meet the requirements of the study period.

The exam will be held three times a year from 2024: in May/June, September, and January. Accepting the registration of ICAI throughout the year, be updated on the registration dates.

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CA Foundation Registration for May 2026 Important Dates 

The table provides important dates for CA Foundation Registration for May 2026, including registration starting, time limit, examination form submissions, and exam dates for the sessions for January 2026, May 2026, and September 2026.

Exam Attempt Registration Last Date
January 2026 03 Nov, 2025
May 2026 03 March, 2026
September 2026 01 May, 2026

CA Foundation Registration Fees for May 2026 Session 

CA Foundation fee structure varies by nationality and residence. Check the latest fees for Indian and foreign students, as well as those residing in India or abroad, here.

Fee Description Fee Amount for Indian Nationals/SAARC Nationals Fee Amount for Foreign Nationals (other than SAARC)
Foundation Tuition Fee ₹9,000 US$720
Foundation Prospectus Fee ₹200 US$20
Optional Subscription for Member Journal ₹400 US$40
Total ₹9,600 US$780

Note: ICAI has decided to offer a discount of 75% on the CA Foundation Fee for students from newly made center areas such as Jammu and Kashmir and 8 northeastern states. This means that students living in these areas only need to pay Rs.250 as their registration fee.

CA Foundation Registration Eligibility for May 2026

Before the CA Foundation Registration in May 2026, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements for the candidates. To register for the CA Foundation, candidates have to meet the following criteria: 

  • They should have either passed or appeared in the class 12 examination conducted by a recognized investigation body or law. 
  • Registration with the Board of Studies (BOS) must be completed before January 1, 2026, and candidates will also have to complete a four-month study period. 
  • ICAI now allows provisional registration for students who have passed their 10th-grade examinations. Instead of the 12th-grade mark sheet, they are required to provide a scanned copy of their admit card. Even students waiting for their exam results can register provisionally.

How to Register for the CA Foundation for the May 2026 Session 

These are the steps to enroll for CA Foundation May 2026:

Step 1: Visit the ICAI official website: icai.org
Step 2: Enter your details and click to create an OTP. It will be delivered to your registered mobile number or email.
Step 3: Enter the OTP for verification.
Step 4: On verification, you will receive login credentials through email or SMS.
Step 5: Log in to the ICAI website with these credentials.
Step 6: Select the student cycle on the left side and then press 'Apply for Foundation.'
Step 7: The CA Foundation form will open with some information pre-filled. Fill out the rest of the sections and press 'Save and Next.'
Step 8: Upload the necessary documents in scanned format.
Step 9: Upload your photograph and signature.
Step 10: Pay the online registration fee for CA Foundation to finalize the registration.
Step 11: Take a printout of the registration form, affix the required documents, and mail it to ICAI's postal address.
Step 12: After registration, ICAI will send you the study material for the CA Foundation via their Centralized Dispatch System (CDS).

Documents Required for Registration 

Check the documents required to register for the CA Foundation Exam: 

Class 12th exam card/mark sheet issued by the concerned board. 

  • A colorful photo of the candidate. 
  • Proof of nationality if a student is a foreigner. 
  • Proof of special category certificate, i.e., ST/SC/OBC, or separate. 
  • The class 10th mark sheet or 10th grade admit card indicates the name and date of birth.

Validity of CA Foundation Registration 2026

The CA Foundation Exam is conducted twice a year. Once registered, the CA Foundation registration is valid for three years, which means six attempts. And after three years, you can revive your registration with a revaluation fee of Rs 300/-.

What after CA Foundation Registration May 2026 

After CA Foundation Registration 2026, candidates will immediately receive study material from ICAI. Then they should proceed to fill out the CA Foundation Exam Form 2026  to be eligible for the exam. Subsequently, candidates may expect to get their CA Foundation Admit Card online, which they need to print and bring to the examination center. On completion of the CA Foundation Examination, candidates will get their results within two months of the exam date.

FAQs

When to register for CA Foundation 2025 September?

The last date to register for the CA Foundation September 2025 Exam is April 30, 2025. Registration is made online through the official website of India's Chartered Accountants (ICAI).

Will the CA Foundation syllabus change in 2025?

Yes, the CA Foundation Syllabus 2025 will have to change. While the main topics are the same, the course will be updated with modified material, a new exam pattern, and a focus on practical applications. In particular, the exam pattern will emphasize the application-based questions, and there will be changes in the weightage of various subjects.

What are the fees for CA Foundation 2025?

The CA Foundation Course fee for Indian citizens in 2025 is around ₹ 9,800, including the student's magazine (200) and the member Journal (₹ 400) ₹ 9,000 registration fee, and an alternative fee for the journal (₹ 400). Foreign nationals (in addition to SAARC) charge a US $780 fee, including registration fees and alternative journal membership.

What are the new exemption criteria for ICAI 2025?

For ICAI examinations in 2025, new discount norms allow candidates to score 60% or more in a paper, which is permanently exempt from reappearing in the paper. Previously, the exemption was valid for a limited number of efforts. Candidates should also be present to be eligible for exemption for all the papers of the group.

How to prepare for CA Foundation 2025?

To prepare effectively for the CA Foundation 2025 exam, start early, understand the course and exam pattern, use reliable study materials, practice regularly, do mock tests, and maintain a healthy study routine.

What is the salary of a CA?

The salary of a chartered accountant (CA) in India varies based on experience, company, and location but usually varies from ₹ 8 lakh to ₹ 12 lakh per year. Fresh CAs can expect to earn between ₹ 6-8 lakhs annually, while experienced professionals can earn 23–25 million or more, especially in top companies. The public sector can earn between ₹ 8 to ₹ 20 lakhs per year with CAS profit, and international postings can also offer high salaries.

How many attempts for the CA Foundation?

With a one-time registration for the CA Foundation course, a student is allowed a maximum of six efforts to vacate the examination over a period of three years. CA Foundation Exams are conducted three times a year, which gives students three opportunities per year.

What is the last date for the CA exam from May 2025?

The last date for submission of the CA Final May 2025 examination form for any time was 14 March 2025, with a late fee of Rs. 600 on March 17, 2025.

When was the CA Foundation exam in 2025?

The ICAI CA Foundation Examination for May 2025 was held on May 15, 17, 19, and 21. ICAI also announced that the admit card will be released in the second week of April 2025.

Can I pass the CA Foundation easily?

While it is not impossible to pass the CA Foundation Exam, it requires a well-structured approach to be dedicated and successful. This is not an "easy" examination, but with a strong understanding of the appropriate plan, persistent study habits, and materials, it is certainly obtained.