CA Foundation 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Academic Qualification, Passing Marks, Age Limit, Nationality

Updated By Sukriti Vajpayee on 18 Sep, 2024 19:42

The ICAI has released the CA Foundation eligibility criteria 2025 on its official website. Check the age limit, exemptions, boards accepted and other CA Foundation eligibility requirements here in detail.

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CA Foundation 2025 Eligibility Criteria

The CA Foundation eligibility criteria 2025 are provided by the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India). A candidate can become a Chartered Accountant in 3 to 5 years by clearing the CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final exams. Aspirants who want to appear for the CA Foundation exam are advised to check the eligibility criteria before applying. The CA Foundation eligibility criteria include the educational qualifications, age limit, exemptions, boards accepted and many more. 

Candidates willing to appear for the ICAI Foundation exam need to 4 months of their study from the date of enrollment. Every year, students who register on or before January 1 or July 1 are eligible to appear for the May/ November exams. Candidates can check the detailed ICAI CA Foundation eligibility requirements on this page.

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Educational Qualifications Required for CA Foundation 2025

The CA Foundation 2025 educational qualifications have been set by the ICAI. The minimum educational qualifications required for the CA Foundation are discussed below. 

  • For the CA Foundation examination, the candidate must have passed their Class 10th from a state or central government board or an equivalent exam. It must be noted that these candidates can take provisional admission which will be confirmed after passing your Class 12th examination.
  • Those who have completed their 10+2 or are appearing for the 12th examination can register for the CA Foundation exam.
  • CA aspirants who have cleared their Class 12 with at least 50% aggregate marks can register for CA Foundation. 

CA Foundation Age Limit 2025

To have an idea of the maximum and minimum age criteria for the CA Foundation is extremely important. The ICAI has not specified any age limit for registering in the CA Foundation. This means candidates of any age can apply for the CA Foundation exam only if they meet all the CA Foundation eligibility criteria 2025. 

CA Foundation Nationality Requirements 2025

Before selecting a course, candidates must know the nationalities accepted. The CA Foundation nationality has been set by the ICAI and it is an important eligibility parameter. Indian nationals should have their names and date of birth as per their matriculation/ secondary examination certificate. If in case a foreign national seeks admission, they have to show their proof of nationality issued from an accepted government authority. 

Exemptions from CA Foundation 2025

The ICAI has prescribed certain exemptions in the CA Foundation eligibility criteria 2025. The exceptions are followed for only certain categories of students who do not have to appear for the CA Foundation exam. These candidates can register themselves for the second level which is the CA Intermediate course. Take a look at the candidates who are exempted from the CA Foundation:

  • UG and PG Candidates: Candidates who have scored a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in graduation or post-graduation degree in the commerce stream from any recognised university will be exempted from the CA Foundation.
  • NIOS Candidates: Aspirants who have passed their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees from an Open University do not have to appear for the CA Foundation exam.
  • Non-commerce Candidates: Candidates who have obtained Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in a stream other than commerce with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate from a recognised University and approved by the ICAI do not have to appear for the CA Foundation exam. 

CA Foundation Eligibility 2025 Accepted Board Equivalence

To appear for the CA Foundation, students need to pass their 10+2 conducted by an examining body constituted by law in India (or an examination recognised by the Central Government as equivalent thereto). Following are the boards that are recognised by the Government of India and accepted by ICAI and the examinations that are treated as equivalent to senior secondary examination:

Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh

Assam Higher Secondary Education Council

Bihar School Examination Board

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Chhatisgarh Board of Secondary Education

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education

Gujarat Secondary & Higher Secondary Education

Board of School Education, Haryana

H. P. Board of School Education

J & K State Board of School Education

Jharkhand Academic Council

Government of Karnataka Department of Pre-University Education

Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education

Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education

Board of Secondary Education, Madhya Pradesh

Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur

Meghalaya Board of School Education

Mizoram Board of School Education

Nagaland Board of School Education

Council of Higher Secondary Education, Orissa

Punjab School Education Board

Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan

Tamil Nadu State Board of School Examinations

Tripura Board of Secondary Education

U. P. Board of High School and Intermediate Education

Board of School Education, Uttarakhand

West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education

Chhatisgarh State Open School

M.P. State Open School

National Institute of Open Schooling

Rajasthan State Open School

The West Bengal Council of Ravindra Open Schooling

Banasthali Vidyapith

CA Foundation 2025 Number of Attempts

The CA Foundation exam is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) thrice every year. The registration that has been done for CA Foundation is valid for 3 years and candidates will get 6 attempts. The exam assesses the basic knowledge in accounting, business law, mathematics, statistics, economics, and commerce of the aspirant. After passing all the levels of the CA exam, a candidate will become a registered Chartered Accountant (CA) which is a prestigious career choice in the Indian accounting world.

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FAQs about CA Foundation Eligibility

What are the educational qualifications required for the CA Foundation?

For the CA Foundation examination, candidates must have passed their Class 10th from a recognised board and their admission will be confirmed only after passing the 10+2. They also need to get 50% in their Class 12 board examination.

 

Do UG and PG graduates need to appear for the CA Foundation examination?

No, UG and PG graduates are exempted from the CA Foundation examination. These candidates must have scored a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in graduation or post-graduation degree in the commerce stream from any recognised university.

 

Which boards of education are allowed by the ICAI for the CA Foundation registration?

Some of the boards of education that are allowed by the ICAI for the CA Foundation registration are the Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar School Examination Board, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Chhatisgarh Board of Secondary Education, Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education and many more.

 

Can NIOS candidates appear for the CA Foundation exam?

Aspirants who have passed their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees from an open university do not have to appear for the CA Foundation exam as they are exempted. 

 

Can NIOS candidates appear for the CA Foundation exam?

Aspirants who have passed their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees from an open university do not have to appear for the CA Foundation exam as they are exempted. 

 

Do foreign nationals need to provide any extra documents for the CA Foundation exam?

Yes, foreign nationals have to provide proof of nationality when applying for the CA Foundation exam. Other than this, no such extra documents are needed for foreign nationals.

 

What is the minimum aggregate Class 12 marks required for candidates applying for the CA Foundation exam?

Candidates must secure at least 50% aggregate marks in their Class 12 board exam to become eligible to apply for the CA Foundation exam.

 

How often is the CA Foundation exam conducted every year?

The CA Foundation exam is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) three times a year. Every year, students who register on or before January 1 or July 1 are eligible to appear for the May/ November exams. 

 

How many attempts are allowed for the CA Foundation exam?

The registration for the CA Foundation is valid for three years which allows candidates to have six attempts to pass the exam.

Can a candidate from a non-commerce background appear for the CA Foundation exam?

Yes, students from a non-commerce background can appear for the CA Foundation exam if they have scored 60% marks in a bachelor’s or master's degree. These candidates can get direct admission into the CA Intermediate course without appearing in the CA Foundation exam.

Is there any age limit for the CA Foundation exam?

No, ICAI has not set any specific age limit for the CA Foundation exam. This means candidates from any age group can appear for the exam only if they satisfy the CA Foundation eligibility criteria. 

 

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