CA Foundation

CA Foundation Course Overview

The CA Foundation Course is the entry-level stage in the Chartered Accountancy program offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge in accounting, business laws, economics, and quantitative methods. Clearing the CA Foundation is the first step toward becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification:
  • Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
  • Students who have passed Class 10 can register provisionally but must pass Class 12 before appearing for the exams.
• Age: No specific minimum age is required.

Registration Process

1. Online Registration:
   • Visit the ICAI official website and create an account.
2. Complete the Form:
   • Fill in personal, educational, and contact details.
3. Upload Documents:
   • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (if applicable).
   • Recent passport-sized photograph and signature.
4. Fee Payment:
   • Registration fee for the CA Foundation course is approximately ₹9,800 (inclusive of study material fees, subject to change).

Registration Deadlines

The CA Foundation exams are held twice a year—in May/June and November/December.

• For May/June Exams: Register by January 1 of the same year.
• For November/December Exams: Register by July 1 of the same year.

Exam Structure

• Mode: Offline (Pen-and-Paper).
• Duration: 3 hours per paper.
• Total Marks: 400 (100 marks per paper).
• Passing Criteria:
  • Minimum 40% marks in each paper.
  • Minimum 50% aggregate marks across all subjects.

Exam Subjects

1. Paper 1: Principles and Practice of Accounting
2. Paper 2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence & Reporting
3. Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics
4. Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge

• Papers 1 and 2 are subjective.
• Papers 3 and 4 are objective with negative marking for incorrect answers.

Preparation Period

A minimum of 4 months of study preparation is required after registering for the course before appearing for the exams.

Advantages of CA Foundation

• Acts as the stepping stone to a prestigious career in Chartered Accountancy.
• Provides an in-depth understanding of financial, legal, and economic concepts.
• Develops analytical and logical reasoning skills essential for a CA career.

Clearing the CA Foundation Course enables students to progress to the CA Intermediate level, bringing them closer to their goal of becoming a Chartered Accountant, a highly respected and rewarding profession.