CA Foundation January 2025 dates have been rescheduled. The exams will now be conducted from 12th – 20th to be precise 12, 16, 18 and 20 January, 2025. CA Foundation mock tests will be administered in December 2024 and January 2025. Candidates can take the mock tests through virtual or physical modes.
CA Foundation application process January 2025 ended on November 26, 2024 with late fee. CA Foundation admit card 2025 will be released online soon before the exams. Below we shall discuss all about ICAI CA Foundation exam.
What is ICAI CA Foundation Exam?
CA Foundation is the foundational level course of the Chartered Accountancy profession in India. Conducted and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, the CA course ensures a chartered accountancy aspirant getting trained in all aspects of accounting, auditing and taxation relevant for a smooth running of a business organization within the legal framework.
The University Grants Commission, UGC equates the CA qualification at the level of a postgraduate degree. The examination is held at three different stages according to the CA courses. Clearing all the course levels, one has to become certified as a Chartered Accountant. The following are the CA courses in the order of first to third:
- CA Foundation course examination (4 papers)
- CA Intermediate examination (6 papers based on New Syllabus and Old Syllabus)
- CA Final examination (6 papers based on New Syllabus and Old Syllabus)
ICAI CA Foundation Eligibility Criteria 2025
CA Foundation course can be pursued after Class 12. The preferable stream of education is Commerce. Candidates seeking admission to the CA Foundation programme need to fulfill the course-wise eligibility criteria as mentioned below:
CA Foundation Eligibility Criteria
The CA Foundation eligibility criteria on educational qualifications as set by the ICAI are as follows:
- If you’ve successfully completed your Class 10 exams from a state or central government board, or an equivalent exam, you’re eligible to apply for the CA Foundation exam. However, your admission will initially be provisional and will be confirmed after clearing the Class 12 exams.
- If you are studying in Class 12 or have already sat for the exams, then you are eligible to appear for the CA Foundation.
- Candidates also in the class 12 with an aggregate of at least 50 percent marks are eligible to register for the CA Foundation examination.
How to apply for ICAI CA Foundation Examination?
This will depict the registration process for ICAI CA Foundation exam, study duration along with admit card download procedure and examination. On clearing the Foundation level, the candidates move to CA Intermediate or CA Inter level. Below is a brief overview of the CA exam process:.
Step 1: Apply for CA Foundation course
Candidates need to apply for CA Foundation course from ICAI website and after passing the study time, they can fill the exam form. The students who have earlier applied can log in to already existing login and can fill up the CA Foundation exam form. CA Foundation Exam is also conducted in three sessions. These are June, September and January.
Step 2: Obtain ICAI CA Foundation Admit Card
The admit card for CA Foundation is downloadable on the eservices website of ICAI, fifteen days before the dates of the exams. It is mandatory for the aspirants to download their admit cards for ICAI CA Foundation to participate in the exams.
Step 3: Attend CA Exams
CA Foundation exam is conducted online at scheduled examination centers and it can only be held at allotted centers. The allotment to the student is done on his or her preference submitted in the examination form. All candidates are mandated to appear for all papers of the CA Foundation examination to clear the level.
Step 4: Download CA result and register for CA Intermediate
Results for Foundation are declared almost after a month from the exam. Candidates who have cleared CA Foundation course have to enroll for CA Intermediate course. Candidates who fail at course level have to enroll once again and appear in the examination during the subsequent phase.
CA Foundation Exam Highlights
ICAI CA is the professional course in India by which students can take up Chartered Accountancy as a career or profession. It basically pertains to the basics of auditing, accounting and taxation. Given below is the table indicating key highlights of the ICAI Foundation CA exams and course:
| ICAI CA Foundation Exam Features | Details |
| Exam Name | ICAI CA Foundation Exam |
| Conducting Body | (ICAI) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Thrice a year |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Exam Duration | Three hours/Two hours for MCQ papers |
| Language | English/Hindi |
| Exam Purpose | Training and certifying Chartered Accountants in India |
| Course Offered | Chartered Accountancy |
| No. of Test Cities | 194 cities in India and 8 cities abroad |
| Exam Helpdesk No. | 1800 419 2929 |
| Exam Website | https://www.icai.org/ |
ICAI CA Foundation Exam Fees 2025
The fee for the CA Foundation exam can be submitted at the time of online application with the help of VISA or MASTER or MAESTRO Credit / Debit Card / Rupay Card / Net Banking / Bhim UPI. There is a late fee of INR 600, for the submission of the exam form.
| CA Foundation Exam Fees | |
| For Indian Centre(s) | INR 1,500 |
| For Overseas Centre(s) – Excluding Kathmandu Centre | USD 325 |
Final thoughts:
ICAI CA Foundation exam is the foundation of all Chartered Accountant programmes. The subjects deal with fundamentals in accounting, auditing, and taxation that helps to create strong foundations in one’s journey for becoming CA.
This also ensures adequate time in getting mock test and steps clear before January 2025 examinations are taken by rescheduling it now. Passing this level gives the chance to the candidates to progress onto the next stage, that is the CA Intermediate course.
This particular exam, if cleared well with proper dedication and hard work, sets a pathway into a rewarding career in Chartered Accountancy. For updates and more information visit the ICAI website.
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Phone- 8007916622 / 8007916633 / 8668532720.
