ICAI CA Foundation Course: Dates, Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus, Admit Card, Result

Rajneesh Shukla

Updated On: May 26, 2023 10:17 AM

ICAI CA Foundation exam is the first step to start your journey to become a CA. This article entails all the important information related to the course like important dates, eligibility criteria, application process and more.

Detailed Article on ICAI CA Foundation Course

ICAI CA Foundation is a comprehensive course designed to provide aspiring professionals with a strong foundation in the field of Chartered Accountancy. It is the entry-level examination for the Chartered Accountancy course offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The CA Foundation course aims to equip students with fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a successful career in accounting, auditing, taxation, and finance.

The CA Foundation test date for the June 2023 session has been posted on the website of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The dates of June 24 – June 30, 2023, will see the administration of the CA Foundation exam. On February 3, 2023, ICAI made the online application form submission for the CA Foundation available. Candidates had until February 24, 2023 to submit their CA Foundation 2023 application form without incurring late fees, and they had until March 3, 2023 to do so with late penalties. For the CA Foundation exams in 2023, there was a window for application form corrections from March 4 through March 10, 2023. The CA Foundation exam results 2023 will be provisionally announced in August 2023 while the ICAI will deliver the CA Foundation exam admit cards tentatively in May 2023.

The duration of the CA Foundation course is approximately four months, and it is conducted twice a year, in May/ June and November/ December. To be eligible for the course, candidates must have completed their 10+2 education from a recognized board or institution. They can register for the CA Foundation course after passing the 10th standard examinations.

The CA Foundation examination is conducted in a paper-based mode and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The exam evaluates the students' understanding and application of the concepts taught during the course. It assesses their knowledge in areas such as accounting principles, business laws, mathematics, logical reasoning, economics, and business and commerce knowledge. Upon successfully clearing the CA Foundation examination, students can progress to the next level of the CA course, which includes the Intermediate and Final examinations.

Also Read: Career in Actuarial Science Vs Chartered Accountancy - Which is Better?

CA Foundation Exam Highlights

Please find the major highlights of the ICAI CA Foundation exam below:

Full Exam Name

CA Foundation Exam

Conducting Body

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Frequency of Exam

2 times a year

Exam Level

National Level Exam

Exam Languages

English/ Hindi except for Paper 2 - Section B which will be in English only

Mode of Application

Online

Application Fee (General Category)

INR 1,500

Mode of Exam

Offline

Exam Duration

3 Hours

CA Foundation Important Dates 2023

The CA Foundation exam June 2023 dates are mentioned in the table below:

Exam Events

Dates

Commencement of Registrations

February 03, 2023

Last Date for Submitting Application

February 24, 2023

Last Date for Registration with Late Fee

February 24 to March 03, 2023

Editing Window Opening and Closing Dates

March 04 to March 10, 2023

Exam Date

June 24, 26, 28 and 30, 2023

Result

To be Notified

CA Foundation Exam November 2023 Important Dates

The below-mentioned table provides crucial information regarding dates for the CA Foundation November 2023 examination.

Exam Events

Dates

Commencement of Registrations

To be Notified

Last Date for Submitting Application

To be Notified

Last Date for Registration With Late Fee

To be Notified

Date of Admit Card Release

To be Notified

Exam Date

To be Notified

Result

To be Notified

CA Foundation Eligibility Criteria

The CA Foundation course eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • Students may join in the CA Foundation course if they have successfully completed the class 10th exams offered by a recognized school board or if they have taken an exam recognised as being comparable by the Central Government.
  • After clearing the 10+2 examinations from a recognised school board or an exam that the Central Government has recognised as comparable, students are qualified to take the Chartered Accountancy Foundation test.
  • A candidate must have finished the four months of mandatory study time after enrolling in the CA Foundation course and have passed class 12 to be qualified to take the Foundation exam.
  • The candidate needs to sign up with the Board of Studies and complete the four months of compulsory study.
  • The ICAI does not impose an upper age limit on candidates seeking admission to the CA Foundation programme.

There are a few exemptions in CA Foundation eligibility criteria for certain category of candidates and those are as follows:

  • Graduates/ Postgraduates from commerce and non-commerce background with an aggregate score of 55% and 60% or above, respectively, are eligible to skip the CA Foundation exam and directly apply for CA Intermediate level.
  • Those who have successfully completed the Executive or Intermediate levels of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) or the Institute of Cost and Work Accountants of India (ICWAI) are also eligible for direct admission. Such candidates do not need to finish the Foundation course in order to enrol immediately in the CA Intermediate level.
  • The CA Intermediate course is also open to applicants who are in their final year of their graduation. After submitting their final year graduation report or passing certificate within six months of the date they took the final year graduation test, along with proof that they successfully completed the ICITSS (Orientation Course and Information Technology), such applicants' registration would then become official.

CA Foundation Registration Process 2023-24

Online registration is required, and a single, successful registration has validity for three years. A candidate may submit an application and show up for a total of six attempts.

The CA Foundation registration steps are as follows:
  • Visit eservices.icai.org and select the self-service portal to access the form. It requires the password and login information to be entered.
  • The “Register for exam” tab will appear on the dashboard after selecting the SSP portal login.
  • After clicking on the foundation exam form, a pop-up with the foundation rules will appear, which you must then accept.
  • Additionally, you can look up student information and pictures or signatures. Only one person can fill out the exam form after updating the photo and signature. Select next.
  • Click the “I agree” box on the declaration form that appears after that.
  • Then, after clicking next, a payment gateway window will appear, requiring INR 1500 (CA Foundation application fee) to be paid.
  • By clicking on the side button after paying the exam fees, one can also download the exam receipt for future reference.

CA Foundation Course Registration Fee

The online registration fees for CA Foundation are as follows -

Details

For Indian Nationals (INR)

For Foreign Students (USD)

CA Foundation Prospectus

200

20

CA Foundation Registration Fee

9000

700

Optional Subscription for student’s Journal for 1Year

200

20

Optional Subscription for Member’s Journal for 1 year

400

40

Total

INR 9,800

USD 780

Documents Required for the CA Foundation Course Registration

Before completing the CA Foundation application form, candidates must have scanned copies of the following documents:

  • Photocopy of Aadhar Card
  • Recent coloured photo of the candidate
  • For candidates who are SC, ST, or OBC, certified proof of their special category is required
  • Verified evidence of nationality (for foreigners)
  • Authenticated copy of the class 12th exam mark sheet or admit card
  • Class 10th admit card or certificate that has been attested and includes the candidate's name and birthdate

CA Foundation Examination Fee

Please check out the examination fees for the ICAI CA Foundation program given below.

  • INR 1,500/- for opting for a test center in India.
  • INR 2,200/- for opting for a center in Kathmandu.
  • USD 325 - for opting centers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Muscat, and Bahrain.

Note : In addition to the applicable examination fee to the Institute for exam-related services, candidates will be required to pay bank costs at the rates when paying the fee online through the payment gateway.

CA Foundation Exam Pattern

The CA Foundation Course is a combination of 4 Papers, two of which are subjective and two objective. There is negative marking for selecting incorrect options in the objective papers (Paper 3 and Paper 4).

Particulars

Details

Exam Pattern

Objective cum Descriptive

Total Marks

400

Total Papers in the Exam

4

Exam Frequency

Twice

Question Paper Booklet Language

Hindi/ English

OMR Answer Sheets for Paper 3 and Paper 4

English Medium Only

CA Foundation Syllabus

There are four subjects covered in the CA Foundation course. Accounting, business law, mathematics, and economics are all covered in the curriculum. Every year, ICAI makes the CA Foundation Syllabus available to students. You have a four-month study period to finish the syllabus. Review the comprehensive syllabus below:

Papers

Subjects

Sections

Paper 1

Principles and Practice of Accounting (100 Marks)

Paper 2

Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting

Part A : Business Laws (60 Marks)

Part B : Business Correspondence and Reporting (40 Marks)

Paper 3

Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning and Statistics

Part A: Business Mathematics (40 Marks)

Part B: Logical Reasoning (20 Marks)

Part C: Statistics (40 Marks)

Paper 4

Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge

Part A : Business Economics (60 Marks)

Part B : Business and Commercial Knowledge (40 Marks)

CA Foundation Admit Card

To enter the exam room, you need to have an admit card. The organization that conducts the exam usually releases the admit cards 14 days before the exams. They no longer send the admit cards by mail or in person. Instead, you can only download the admit card for the CA Foundation exam from the ICAI website.

To be prepared, make sure to print out your admit card at least 10 days before the exam so you don't have to rush at the last minute. You are allowed to download the admit card a maximum of three times, so it's a good idea to make 3-4 photocopies of it. If you notice any mistakes in the exam center or medium (due to incorrect information provided during the application process), you will have the opportunity to correct those errors after downloading the admit card.

Also Read: How to Become a Chartered Accountant?

CA Foundation 2023 Result

Students need to refer to the ICAI official website for checking the CA Foundation results. They can follow to the below steps to check the CA Foundation results -

  • Navigate to the ICAI's official website and click on "Foundation Results".
  • Enter the credentials, including the six-digit roll number and pin/registration number, followed by the captcha code.
  • Tap the Submit button and find the result.

Note : Aspirants who pass CA Foundation with 70% or higher will earn a "Pass with distinction" certification from the ICAI.

Aspirants having questions and feedback can drop them via our Q&A Zone or call on 1800-572-9877. For any assistance on admissions, students can fill out our Common Application Form and our expert counselors will get in touch. Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more updates and information on the ICAI CA Course.

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FAQs

How many hours to dedicate for CA exams?

The number of hours required to study for the CA exams varies from person to person and depends on factors such as prior knowledge, learning abilities, and study habits. On average, it is recommended to study for around 300-400 hours per level of the CA exam, including both self-study and coaching. However, it's important to create a study plan that suits your individual needs and allows for adequate preparation.

Can I pass CA Foundation exam without coaching?

Without coaching, it is feasible to pass the CA Foundation exam. However, self-study requires discipline, dedication, and a structured study plan. Utilize study materials, online resources, and practice exams to prepare effectively. Stay focused and consistent in your preparation to maximize your chances of success.

Can I clear CA Foundation in one month?

Candidates who will diligently follow their schedules and organise their studies appropriately will surely pass the CA Foundation exam after 30 days of study. So that you can complete the entire syllabus without feeling rushed, give each topic at least 6 - 7 days and 7 - 8 hours per day.

What is the ICAI CA Foundation course?

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) offers the CA Foundation course as an entry-level test.  It is the first level of the Chartered Accountancy programme and consists of four subjects: Principles and Practice of Accounting, Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting, Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning, and Statistics.

Can I pass the CA Foundation exam in 15 days?

It is highly unlikely to pass the CA Foundation exam in just 15 days. The exam requires comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, which usually requires months of dedicated study and preparation.

How many attempts are there for the CA Foundation exam?

The maximum number of times a person may attempt the exam is unrestricted. The only thing that might need to be renewed is your exam registration. Although the initial registration for the CA Foundation exam is valid for three years, you can take the exam twice a year, giving you a total of six chances to pass the CA Foundation exam in the span of three years.
 

Is the CA Foundation exam easy to pass?

CA is considered as one of the toughest exams in the field of commerce and accounting. The syllabus for the CA Foundation exam is vast and difficult to manage if you are not disciplined in your preparations for the exam. Having said that, it also depends on the individual, if you are passionate about being a CA then it will be a easy journey for you because you will be robust and dedicated in your studies to clear the ICAI CA Foundation exam.

Will I be employable after completing the CA Foundation course?

Yes, you might be employable for other jobs but you will not be able to become a certified CA. In order to become a certified CA and get a good paying job in the same field, you must pass your CA Final exams in order to become a certified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAI).

What is the ICAI CA Foundation course registration fees?

The following are the ICAI CA Foundation course’s online registration costs:

Details

For Indian Nationals (INR)

For Foreign Students (USD)

CA Foundation Prospectus

200

20

CA Foundation Registration Fee

9000

700

Optional Subscription for student’s Journal for 1Year 

200

20

Optional Subscription for Member’s Journal for 1 year

400

40

Total

9800

780

What is the passing criteria in the ICAI CA Foundation course?

Subject to the concept of negative marking, a candidate for the Foundation Course will be deemed to have passed the exam if they receive at one sitting a minimum of 40% on each paper and a minimum of 50% on the sum of all the exams. So, if a candidate fails in any one of the subjects then they will not be considered passed.

Can I register for the CA Foundation course after class 10th?

In accordance with the requirements, applicants who have successfully completed class 10 in India from a recognised school board may register provisionally for the CA Foundation exam in 2022.

What is the duration of a CA Foundation course?

The total duration of a CA Foundation course is four months. Candidates will only be able to sit for the CA Foundation course examination only if they have completed four months of study after enrolling in the course.

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