CA Foundation Registration (2026): Fees, Process, Eligibility & Last Date
CA Foundation registration costs ₹9,000 as a one-time ICAI fee. Add the ₹1,500 examination form fee and the ₹200 prospectus and the realistic minimum is ₹10,700, or ₹11,300 if you take both optional journal subscriptions.
This guide gives the full fee breakdown, then covers who's eligible, the exact step-by-step registration process, and — crucially — the last date to register for each exam so you don't miss a cycle.
Fees and cut-off dates are revised by ICAI periodically. Amounts here were checked in August 2026; confirm the current figures on icai.org before you pay.
Who can register for CA Foundation?
- You can register for the Foundation Course after passing your Class 10 examination (provisional registration).
- You can appear for the Foundation exam after appearing in your Class 12 examination.
- Registration is done online through the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP).
CA Foundation registration process (step by step)
Registration is completed online on the ICAI SSP. In brief:
- Create an account and log in to the ICAI Self Service Portal (eservices.icai.org).
- Fill the Foundation registration form with your personal and academic details.
- Upload the required documents — signed declaration and ID proof (e.g. PAN card with Aadhaar/Voter ID/Driving Licence) and your Class 10/12 marksheet as applicable.
- Pay the registration fee online.
- Submit — your registration is confirmed and study material is made available.
CA Foundation registration fees (2026)
CA Foundation registration costs ₹9,000 as a one-time fee, paid online on the ICAI portal. That is not the whole cost, though — the exam form fee is separate and is paid each time you fill the form for an attempt.
- The realistic minimum is ₹10,700 — registration (₹9,000) + prospectus (₹200) + one exam form (₹1,500). The two journal subscriptions are optional.
- Students from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and the eight North-Eastern states get a 75% concession, bringing registration down to about ₹2,250.
- If you fail an attempt, you re-pay only the ₹1,500 exam form fee — registration is a one-time cost and does not repeat.
- For comparison, ICAI Intermediate registration is ₹18,000 for both groups and Final is ₹22,000.
| Component | Amount | When you pay it |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | ₹9,000 | Once, at registration |
| Examination form fee | ₹1,500 | Each attempt |
| Prospectus | ₹200 | Once, at registration |
| Students' journal subscription (optional) | ₹200 | Once, at registration |
| Members' journal subscription (optional) | ₹400 | Once, at registration |
| Total, everything included | ₹11,300 | — |
CA Foundation fee breakdown for Indian students (2026). Verify on icai.org before paying — ICAI revises these periodically.
What the whole CA course costs
Students searching for the registration fee usually want the bigger number: what does becoming a CA cost end to end? Adding ICAI's three registration fees — ₹9,000 Foundation, ₹18,000 Intermediate, ₹22,000 Final — comes to ₹49,000, plus exam form fees at each level and the one-off articleship and orientation course fees.
Budget roughly ₹60,000–₹80,000 in ICAI fees across the full journey if you clear each level on the first or second attempt. Coaching, if you choose it, is a separate cost and is usually far larger than ICAI's own fees — which is worth knowing before you assume coaching is compulsory.
CA Foundation registration last date
Foundation exams are held three times a year (January, May and September), and you must register a set period before your intended exam. As a guide, ICAI's cut-off is roughly four months before the exam — for example, registering by around 1 January to appear in the May exam. Always confirm the exact last date for your target attempt on icai.org, as these dates are announced each cycle.
Frequently asked questions
When can I register for CA Foundation?
You can register after passing Class 10 (provisional), and appear for the exam after your Class 12 exam. Register before ICAI's cut-off for your intended attempt.
How do I register for CA Foundation?
Online through the ICAI Self Service Portal — fill the form, upload your documents and ID proof, and pay the registration fee.
What is the last date to register for CA Foundation?
Roughly four months before the exam (e.g. around 1 January for the May attempt). ICAI announces exact cut-off dates each cycle, so confirm on icai.org.
How much is the CA Foundation registration fee?
CA Foundation registration is ₹9,000, paid once on the ICAI portal. The exam form fee of ₹1,500 is separate and is paid for each attempt, so the realistic minimum is ₹10,700 including the ₹200 prospectus. Confirm current amounts on icai.org before paying.
Do I have to pay the registration fee again if I fail?
No. The ₹9,000 registration fee is one-time. If you need another attempt you re-pay only the ₹1,500 examination form fee.
Is there any fee concession for CA Foundation?
Yes. Students from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and the eight North-Eastern states receive a 75% concession on registration, bringing it to roughly ₹2,250.