Understand the exam
Exam overview
Direct entry for graduates skips this stage entirely, which shortens the overall qualification timeline.
CA-FOUNDATION
Admission
Professional
National
CA Foundation
Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.
Entry to the Chartered Accountancy course
Who can appear
Eligibility to appear
Class 12
Class 12 passed, in any stream. Registration with ICAI is required before appearing.
Eligibility to appear is not the same as eligibility to be admitted. Individual institutions add their own criteria on top of the exam's rules.
Overview
What this exam is
CA Foundation is the Chartered Accountancy Foundation Examination.
What it is used for. Entry to the Chartered Accountancy course.
Direct entry for graduates skips this stage entirely, which shortens the overall qualification timeline.
AdmissionProcess
Who can take it, and how it runs
Who can appear. 12th pass; graduates may enter directly at Intermediate level.
How often. Multiple sessions a year.
Format. Pen and paper.
Conducted by. Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
Dates, eligibility and the paper pattern change from year to year. Check the current official notification before you plan around any of this.
Where the score is used
Courses connected to this exam
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is CA Foundation used for?
Entry to the Chartered Accountancy course.
Who is eligible to appear for CA Foundation?
12th pass; graduates may enter directly at Intermediate level. Confirm this against the current official notification, because eligibility rules are revised between sessions.
How often is CA Foundation held, and in what format?
Multiple sessions a year. Pen and paper.
Who conducts CA Foundation?
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).