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The CA Foundation application process has two distinct stages that every student must complete: course registration with the ICAI Board of Studies (BoS), and exam form submission for a specific session. These are separate processes and both are mandatory. A common mistake among new students is confusing the two stages or completing only one. This guide covers both stages in full detail, including fees, documents, portal steps, common mistakes, and what to expect after registration.
For the complete CA Foundation exam overview, visit the CA Foundation main page.
| Topic Link | |
| CA Foundation Overview | CA Foundation Exam Guide |
| Eligibility Criteria | CA Foundation Eligibility Criteria |
| Exam Pattern | CA Foundation Exam Info |
| Notification and Dates | CA Foundation Notification |
| Cutoff | CA Foundation Cutoff |
| Syllabus Tracker | CA Foundation Syllabus Tracker |
| Stage What It Is When to Do It Portal | |||
| Stage 1: Course Registration | Enroll in the CA Foundation course with ICAI BoS | At least 4 months before your first exam attempt | eservices.icai.org (ICAI SSP) |
| Stage 2: Exam Form Submission | Apply to appear in a specific session | Within the exam form window for each session | icaiexam.icai.org |
Both stages involve online processes and fee payments. Stage 1 is done only once (it is valid for three years). Stage 2 must be done before every session in which the candidate wants to appear.
| Category Registration Fee Prospectus Student Journal Total | ||||
| Indian Students (Standard) | Rs. 9,000 | Rs. 200 | Rs. 200 | Rs. 9,400 |
| J&K and 8 North-Eastern States | Rs. 2,250 (75% concession) | Included | Included | Rs. 2,250 |
| Overseas Students (US) | USD 700 | Included | Included | USD 700 |
| Other Overseas Students | As per ICAI notification |
The registration fee covers enrollment in the Foundation course, ICAI study material for all four papers, and the student journal. It does not include the exam form fee, which is paid separately for each attempt.
| Document Purpose | |
| Class 10 Mark Sheet | Name and date of birth verification |
| Class 12 Mark Sheet or Admit Card | Proof of qualifying or appearing in Class 12 |
| Recent Passport-size Photograph | Colour photograph on white background |
| Scanned Signature | On white paper, black or dark blue ink |
| Proof of Nationality (for foreign nationals) | Passport or government-issued document |
| SC/ST/OBC Certificate | If claiming fee concession |
| Class 12 Admit Card | For provisional registrations where result is awaited |
| Item Specifications | |
| Photograph | Recent colour passport-size, white or light background, face clearly visible, no sunglasses, maximum 200 KB, JPG or JPEG format |
| Signature | Signed on plain white paper in black or dark blue ink, scanned at clear resolution, maximum 100 KB, JPG or JPEG |
Critical warning: The name, date of birth, and gender entered during registration must exactly match the Class 10 certificate. ICAI explicitly states that no changes are allowed to these fields after form submission. Enter these details with extreme care.
Step 1: Access the ICAI Self Service Portal Visit eservices.icai.org. This is the official ICAI Student Services Portal. Do not use third-party websites for registration.
Step 2: Create a New Account Click on "First Time User (New Student)" and enter your basic details: full name (as per Class 10), date of birth, gender, email address, and mobile number.
Generate an OTP sent to the registered mobile number and email address. Validate the OTP to proceed.
After OTP validation, login credentials (username and password) are sent to the registered email address. Save these credentials immediately.
Step 3: Log In and Access the Foundation Application Log in with the credentials received. On the dashboard, select "Student Cycle" from the left menu and click "Apply for Foundation."
Step 4: Fill in Personal and Academic Details Complete all sections of the online form:
| Section Fields | |
| Personal Details | Full name, date of birth, gender, category, nationality |
| Contact Details | Address, city, state, PIN code, mobile, email |
| Parent or Guardian Details | Name, occupation, income |
| Academic Details | Class 10 board, year of passing, marks. Class 12 board, year, marks or appearing status |
| Subject Preferences | Medium of study (English or Hindi) |
Step 5: Upload Documents Upload scanned copies of all required documents as specified in the portal guidelines. Ensure file sizes and formats meet the specifications before uploading.
Step 6: Review and Confirm Review all entered information carefully. Check the name spelling, date of birth, email address, and mobile number. These cannot be changed after submission.
Step 7: Pay Registration Fee Proceed to the payment gateway. Accepted payment modes:
After successful payment, an acknowledgement receipt is generated. Download and save this receipt. It contains your registration number, which is required for all future ICAI correspondence.
Step 8: Receive Study Material After registration, ICAI dispatches study material for all four papers through the Centralized Dispatch System (CDS). A dispatch confirmation is sent to the registered email and mobile number within two to three days of successful registration. Physical study material is delivered by post to the registered address. Allow two to three weeks for delivery.
| Parameter Details | |
| Registration Validity | 3 years from the date of registration |
| Maximum Attempts | 9 (3 sessions per year over 3 years) |
| Revalidation | Available after 3-year validity expires |
| Revalidation Fee | As per ICAI notification at the time of revalidation |
| Re-registration (if revalidation missed) | Full registration fee paid again; study material not resent |
Students should note that the three-year validity is calculated from the date of registration, not the date of first attempt. If a student registers in July 2024 but first appears in January 2026, the validity still expires in July 2027.
| Category Exam Form Fee per Attempt | |
| Indian Students | Rs. 1,500 |
| Overseas Students (US) | USD 325 |
| Late Fee (if submitted after deadline) | Additional Rs. 600 (approximately) |
The exam form fee must be paid fresh for every session. It is non-refundable once paid.
The exam form window opens approximately two to three months before the exam date and closes several weeks before the exam. Late submission with an additional fee is allowed for a limited period after the regular deadline.
| Session Exam Form Opening Regular Deadline Late Fee Deadline | |||
| May 2026 | First week of March 2026 | Second week of March 2026 | Third week of March 2026 |
| September 2026 | First week of July 2026 | Second week of July 2026 | Third week of July 2026 |
| January 2027 | First week of November 2026 | Second week of November 2026 | Third week of November 2026 |
Exact dates are announced by ICAI through official circulars. Always verify from the CA Foundation Notification page or the official ICAI website.
Step 1: Log in to the ICAI Examination Portal Visit icaiexam.icai.org and log in using your Registration Number and Password. This is a different portal from the SSP registration portal, though the same credentials often work across both.
Step 2: Select the Exam Session Choose the relevant session (May 2026, September 2026, or January 2027) from the available options.
Step 3: Verify Pre-filled Details Check that your name, registration number, paper details, and study centre are correctly pre-filled. The portal pulls this information from your Stage 1 registration data.
Step 4: Select Exam Centre City Choose your preferred examination city from the available list. ICAI allocates centres within the chosen city subject to availability. Specific centre addresses are mentioned on the admit card after allocation.
Step 5: Select Medium Choose English or Hindi as your medium for the exam. Note that Section B of Paper 2 must be answered in English regardless of medium choice.
Step 6: Pay Exam Form Fee Pay the exam form fee of Rs. 1,500 through the available payment modes (net banking, debit/credit card, UPI).
Step 7: Download the Exam Form Acknowledgement After payment, download the exam form acknowledgement. This serves as proof of exam registration for the session.
The admit card (hall ticket) for each session is released approximately 10 to 15 days before the exam begins. It is available for download from the ICAI SSP portal or the exam portal.
| Field Details | |
| Student Name | As registered |
| Registration Number | Unique ICAI registration ID |
| Roll Number | Session-specific roll number |
| Exam Centre | Name and full address |
| Paper Schedule | Paper number, date, and time for each of the four papers |
| Photograph | As uploaded during registration |
| Important Instructions | Dos and don'ts for exam day |
Candidates must carry the printed admit card to all four exam days. Entry is denied to candidates without a valid printed admit card.
For a full exam day checklist, visit the CA Foundation Exam Day Guidance page.
Name mismatch with Class 10 certificate: This is the most critical and unresolvable error. Any discrepancy between the name on the ICAI registration and the Class 10 mark sheet can cause issues at the exam centre and with the final certificate. Double-check the spelling, initials, and full name format before submitting.
Missing the study period cut-off date: Students frequently underestimate the impact of the four-month study period rule. If you register even one day after the cut-off date for a session, you are ineligible for that session. Register at least two to three weeks before the deadline.
Not downloading the registration acknowledgement: The acknowledgement contains the registration number, which is required for exam form submission and all future communication with ICAI. Not having this number causes delays.
Uploading incorrect photographs: Photographs that do not meet ICAI specifications (wrong background, too large a file, unclear face) are flagged during verification. Use only recent photographs on a white or plain light-coloured background.
Registering with a parent's or sibling's mobile number or email: All ICAI communications, including OTPs, exam form notifications, and admit card alerts, go to the registered contact details. Using someone else's contact details causes problems at every stage of the application process.
Not submitting the exam form on time: Course registration and exam form submission are separate steps. Students who complete Stage 1 but forget to submit the exam form before the deadline miss the session and must wait for the next cycle.
Paying without completing the form: Some candidates reach the payment gateway without completing all mandatory fields and proceed to pay. Incomplete forms may not be processed even if payment is successful. Always verify all fields before clicking the payment button.
After successful course registration and exam form submission, the following timeline applies:
| Event Timing | |
| Study material dispatch confirmation (SMS/email) | Within 2 to 3 days of course registration |
| Physical study material delivery | 2 to 3 weeks after registration |
| Exam form acknowledgement | Immediately after payment |
| Admit card release | Approximately 10 to 15 days before exam date |
| Exam dates | As per session schedule |
| Result declaration | 6 to 8 weeks after last exam day |
Begin preparation immediately after registration. Use the CA Foundation Syllabus Tracker to plan and monitor coverage of all four papers from day one.
Can I change my exam centre city after submitting the exam form? ICAI allows city change requests within a limited correction window after the exam form submission closes. This is not always guaranteed and depends on centre availability. Submit your preferred city correctly during the initial exam form submission.
Can I appear for the exam if I have not received the study material? Yes. The study material dispatch is ICAI's responsibility, but delays in physical delivery do not affect exam eligibility. The study material is also available in digital format through ICAI's e-learning portal. Contact ICAI BoS if the material is not received within three weeks.
Can the medium (English or Hindi) be changed after exam form submission? No. The medium once chosen in the exam form cannot be changed for that session. Choose carefully.
What is the difference between the SSP portal and the exam portal? The ICAI Self Service Portal (eservices.icai.org) is used for course registration. The exam portal (icaiexam.icai.org) is used for exam form submission and admit card download. Both require the same login credentials.
If I fail and want to appear again, do I need to register again? No. Course registration is a one-time process valid for three years. For each new attempt, you only need to submit the exam form and pay the Rs. 1,500 exam form fee. Full re-registration is only required if the three-year validity expires.
Is the Rs. 9,000 registration fee refundable? No. Once paid, the ICAI registration fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including voluntary withdrawal, ineligibility discovered after registration, or non-appearance in exams.
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