The Certificate from the CA Foundation is the initial qualification for the Chartered Accountant (CA) in India. It is that stage in the student’s career where the student obtains registration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to take the CA Foundation examination. The exam dates of the CA Foundation of 2025 are the 15th, 17th, 19th & 21st of May 2025. This examination is the starting point in the Chartered Accountancy body of work and is essential for all those wishing to become a member of the prestigious profession. CA Foundation Registration is for students to fulfill the conditions for the CA Foundation examination.
The Class 12, who graduate or are appearing for Class 12 examinations and looking for the start of the CA’s course shall find in this article an exhaustive guide. We will cover everything from eligibility criteria, important dates, registration steps, fees, and the next steps after completing registration. This article is very useful for those students who want to know what to do after 12th commerce or what to do after 12th science to become a CA, as it applies to all kinds of people.
CA Full Form
The CA full form is Chartered Accountant. Chartered Accountants are high-level professionals who have expertise in areas, such as accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management. The CA profession is very respected in India and globally, presenting a wide range of lucrative career prospects in all areas of activity.
CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final are all conducted by the ICAI. The whole process begins at the CA (Chartered Account) Foundation level, and first registration with the CA Foundation is the first step to acquiring the prestigious qualification.
The CA Foundation level tests a student’s breadth of understanding in the core subjects of accounting, business law, economics, and mathematics. It can be used as an excellent base for further learning of subjects taught at higher levels.
CA Foundation Registration
Registration of the Chartered Accountancy course online at ICAI is a formal step taken by the students towards registration in the Chartered Accountancy course. This workflow guarantees that the student is qualified according to the criteria and ready to begin the CA-becoming process.
The registration procedure consists of the student forming an account on the ICAI website, providing personal data, uploading required academic documents, and paying the registration fee. The students are asked to enroll with the CA Foundation well in advance of the scheduled test dates because ICAI does not have a provision for late enrollment into the CA Foundation.
Registration is valid for 4 years and this 4 year period allows students to efficiently prepare and pass the CA Foundation exam. Registration can be renewed, as needed, at the time of expiration expiry at the owner’s cost at the time of expiry of validity by paying a small fee.
CA Foundation Registration May 2025 Important Dates
ICAI has released a draft timetable for the CA Foundation in May 2025. It is also significant for the students to learn these dates, and reserve a place for registration early. The failure to deliver the registration/form submission deadline can lead to the loss of the opportunity to take the exam.
| Particulars | September 2024 | January 2025 | May 2025 |
| CA Foundation under new scheme begins | Closed | Closed | Open |
| CA Foundation registration last date | May 1, 2024 | September 1, 2024 | January 1, 2025 |
| CA Foundation Exam Form | July 28, 2024 | November 10, 2024 | To be notified |
| Last date to fill out exam form (without late fees) | August 10, 2024 | November 23, 2024 | To be notified |
| Last date to fill out exam form (with late fees) | August 13, 2024 | November 26, 2024 | To be notified |
| CA Foundation Exam Dates | September 13, 15, 18, 2024 | January 12, 14, 16, 18, 2025 | To be notified |
To be eligible to sit the May 2025 examination, students on the course have to register before the 1st January 2025 deadline. Students, on successful completion of the registration process, may be permitted to prepare for the examination with the help of ICAI’s study materials, etc.
CA Foundation Registration Eligibility Criteria
Students preparing to enroll for the CA Foundation should initially verify whether they are meeting the ICAI eligibility criteria. These criteria are designed to ensure that learners are prepared to learn the demanding aspects of the CA course.
- Class 12 Completion: Pupils must have passed Class 12 or equivalent state/recognized board of education. Students in the Class 12 final year, however, are allowed for provisional registration but are obligated to show registration proof of passing before the examination.
- Provisional Registration: Class 12th examination-appearing students are also provisionally eligible to enroll. However, will have to furnish the CA Foundation examination dates as proof that they have successfully passed their corresponding examinations.
- No Age Restriction: ICAI does not bar the registration of the CA Foundation by any age and can be admitted by all eligible students.
Due to these requirements, it is secure that all students enrolled enjoy the skills necessary to manage the workload of the CA Foundation course.
Steps for CA Foundation Registration
The route to CA Foundation membership is easy but must be taken with great care. ICAI has also streamlined the process by converting it to a fully online process. Here’s a detailed guide to completing your registration:
- Create an Account on ICAI’s Website: Start by visiting the official ICAI website (www.icai.org). Go to “Students” and open “Course Registration Forms.” Provide your email, mobile number, and other data to create a new account.
- Log In and Access the Registration Form: Log in to your newly created account. Acquire the “Student Dashboard”, and click on the CA Foundation Registration link.
- Fill Out the Registration Form: Prepare and upload scanned copies of the following documents after filling out the form.
- Class 10 mark sheet (evidence of date of birth).
- Class 12 mark sheet (if available)
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Pay the Registration Fees
- Review and Submit the Application: Make the CA Foundation Registration fee payment through the online payment gateway. The fees include charges for registration and study materials. If closing the form, make sure all the pieces of information are correct. Once satisfied, click the “Submit” button.
After your application is authenticated, ICAI will forward an email containing your registration number.
CA Foundation Registration Fees
Registration fees for the CA Foundation are a substantive part of the registration process. These are the subscales of charges including registration fee, study material cost, and administration cost. Students are required to pay enrollment fees via the Internet during enrollment. Journal workers should verify that they include the additional amount when making a payment. Here are the fees :
| Particulars | Amount (INR) |
| Registration Fee | 9,000 |
| Students’ Journal (Optional) | 200 |
| Members’ Journal (Optional) | 400 |
| Total Fee (with optional journals) | 9,600 |
| Total Fee (without optional journals) | 9,000 |
What After CA Foundation Registration?
When you finish your CA Foundation registration it becomes the commencement of your Chartered Accountants (CA) journey. Here’s what comes next:
- Receive Study Materials: ICAI will send study materials to your registered address. These materials address all four themes and are, in themselves, adequate for practice.
- Fill out the Exam Form: As soon as the CA Foundation examination application form becomes public, fill it up promptly.
- Prepare for the Exam: Dedicate ample time to studying the CA Foundation syllabus. Structured study plans and mock tests are suggested to improve preparation.
- Appear for the Exam: They should also be provided with their admit card prepared by ICAI a few weeks before the test to sit for the CA Foundation test.
Having successfully cleared the CA Foundation paper, one is free to take the CA Intermediate paper, and the second paper in the CA course.
CA Foundation Registration FAQs
What is CA Foundation registration?
Registration for the CA Foundation is the process of getting registered with ICAI to take the CA Foundation exam, which is the first step in the CA course.
How to become a CA after 12th commerce?
To obtain the CA status after 12th commerce, enroll in the CA Foundation course (ICAI), pass the exam, go on to CA Intermediate and CA Final.
Can students of Science background do CA?
Students of science background can also do CA.
What is the registration fee for CA Foundation?
The CA Foundation registration fee is INR 9,000. Additional charges apply for optional journals.
What is articleship in CA?
Articleship is the mandatory 3 years of practical training under the supervision of a qualified CA which gives hands-on experience in the real-world financial and accounting environment.
