The US CFA fees India include a myriad of charges. Enrollment fees, registration fees, and examination fees must be paid by a candidate. These fees vary depending on the level of the test and registration completion date. The fee varies across the three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Many candidates study how much the CFA costs in India, CFA course fees in India, and CFA level 1 registration fees in India before registering. This article will help you answer all pertinent questions. We will provide you with the complete picture concerning the total fee structure for the CFA in India.
What is CFA?
CFA Program-the sought-after program for finance students and professionals from India. It provides world recognition as well as deep learning in finance and investments. The program comprises three levels. It strengthens your skills progressively.
The full form of CFA is Chartered Financial Analyst. CFA is a finance certification. CFA is offered by or from the CFA Institute based in the United States of America. The three levels of CFA are covered in the following:
- Financial Reporting
- Ethics
- Investment Tools
- Economics
- Portfolio Management
Why Do Indian Students Prefer CFA?
The reason why most Indian students want to learn finance and want a chance to work in investment banking, equity research, and portfolio management worldwide is finding outlets for CFA for gaining jobs, both internationally and in India. With global finance jobs proliferating, a lot of Indians find this course useful. Of course, you can also take it with work or while studying.
CFA Course Eligibility
The following are the requirements to register for the CFA Level 1 exam:
- In the last year of your bachelor’s degree OR
- Could complete a full-time bachelor’s degree OR
- Education in combination with work experience must equal four years
CFA Fee Structure in India
The CFA fee structure in India comprises several parts: enrollment fees, registration fees, and rescheduling or any other charges. This part will discuss each one in detail.
Enrollment Fees
The enrollment fees are charged only once for a first-time candidate, and they are paid while registering for Level I CFA. This fee only has to be paid once, while for Level II and III, it need not be paid again.
Enrollment Fee: USD 350 (approx. ₹29,000)
Registration Fees
The CFA registration fees depend on the date of registration. Early registration will get you a discount, so always try to register early! The CFA Institute has three deadlines:
- Early Registration: USD 940 (approx. ₹77,000)
- Standard Registration: USD 1,250 (approx. ₹1,02,000)
Overview of the CFA Level-wise Fee
Prices could vary due to the rates of exchange; kindly always see for sittings on the CFA Institute website.
| CFA Level | Enrollment Fee | Exam Fee (Early) | Exam Fee (Standard) | Total (Early) | Total (Standard) |
| Level 1 | $350 | $940 | $1,250 | $1,290 | $1,600 |
| Level 2 | – | $940 | $1,250 | $940 | $1,250 |
| Level 3 | – | $940 | $1,250 | $940 | $1,250 |
| Total | $3,170 | $4,100 |
CFA Total Fees in India
The total CFA fees in India include all the costs incurred for Levels 1, 2, and 3: enrollment, exam registration, and any other related expenses. Therefore CFA total fees for India amount to approximately:
- ₹2.65 lakhs to ₹3.4 lakhs (for all 3 levels combined)
- An early entry in each level grants you a savings of ₹1 lakh.
CFA Level 1 Fees India
The CFA Level 1 fees in India mark the education’s starting cost. These fees cover a one-time enrollment fee and the exam registration fee. Knowing this helps in planning your budget smartly.
Cost Breakdown for Level-1
- Enrolled: $350 (once)
- $940 (early) or $1250 (standard) for exam
Thus, your total cost for Level 1 will be; early registration: $1290 or around 1.06 lakhs; standard registration: $1600 or around 1.32 lakhs.
Other Costs to Contemplate
Other than the above-mentioned main fees, you will also include:
- Study Material: CFA gives free digital curriculum. For those who want printed hardcopy, they have to pay $299.
- Coaching Fees: Between ₹20,000 and ₹50,000, the coaching centers charge.
- Practice Tests: These can be purchased from the CFA Institute or via other platforms.
Payment Method
Pay by the means of:
- Credit or Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard).
- Paypal (in some countries).
- Wire Transfer (but with extra cost).
CFA Exam Fees in India (All Levels)
In India, CFA exam fees differ for each level based on rates determined by what time the candidate registers. This fee thus forms a significant proportion of the total CFA cost. So, understanding this in detail is in itself helpful to avoid any surprises.
Level-wise Fee Structure
The level-wise fee structure outlines the cost for a particular CFA level. The fees are level and time-specific; hence, they help you understand how much in total it’s going to cost you at any given stage.
- CFA Level 1
- Enrollment Fee: $350 (around ₹29,000) – for the first time only
- Early Registration Fee: $940 (around ₹77,000)
- Standard Registration Fee: $1,250 (around ₹1,02,000)
- Estimated Early Registration Total Cost: $1,290 (around ₹1,06,000)
- Estimated Standard Registration Total Cost: $1,600 (around ₹1,31,000)
- CFA Level 2
- No enrollment fee
- Early Registration Fee: $940 (around ₹77,000)
- Standard Registration Fee: $1,250 (around ₹1,02,000)
- Estimated Early Registration Total Cost: $940 (around ₹77,000)
- Estimated Standard Registration Total Cost: $1,250 (around ₹1,02,000)
- CFA Level 3
- No enrollment fee
- Early Registration Fee: $940 (around ₹77,000)
- Standard Registration Fee: $1,250 (around ₹1,02,000)
- Estimated Early Registration Total Cost: $940 (around ₹77,000)
- Estimated Standard Registration Total Cost: $1,250 (around ₹1,02,000)
- Other Costs
- Rescheduling Fee: $250 (around ₹20,500) in the event you change your exam date.
- Cancellation Fee: If cancellation is made after 14 days of registration, there will be no refund.
- Retake Fee: Once more, the complete registration fee must be paid.
CFA Qualification Registration Fee in India
So, the CFA registration fees in India can cost up to ₹1.02 lakhs per level if you delay. But you can save ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per level if you register early.
CFA Course Fees in India – Other Expenses
CFA course fees in India may involve some other things apart from merely the charges for the enrollment and exam. You must cater for expenses like coaching, study materials, and setup. Some of these expenses may vary greatly due to personal preference, but they amount to quite a bit in the total CFA budget. Many Indian students use these resources to better their chances of passing. It is better to plan for these extras early to avoid last-minute surprises.
Coaching and Preparation Expenses
Many Indian students opt for coaching to better grasp the CFA concepts. They can select between online or offline, with full combo options available.
- Online Classes: ₹20,000 – ₹40,000 (approx. $240 – $480)
- Offline Classes: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 (approx. $360 – $600)
- Combo Courses (All Levels): ₹1,00,000+ (approx. $1,200+)
While these classes are not mandatory, they are a great help in focused preparation.
Study Materials
Study materials prepare you for all three levels. You may stay with the official material, or you can purchase some extra books.
- CFA Institute Digital Material: Free with exam registration
- Printed Curriculum from CFA Institute: $299 (approx. ₹24,500)
- Third-Party Books (Kaplan, Wiley, etc.): ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 (approx. $60 – $120)
Laptop, Internet & Setup
Since the CFA exams are fully computer-based, correct equipment ought to be set for online preparation and test-taking.
- Good Laptop/Desktop: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 (approx. $360 – $600).
- Stable Internet Plan: ₹500 – ₹1,000/month (approx. $6 – $12/month).
- Study Setup (desk, lighting, etc.): ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 (approx. $60 – $120)
These costs ensure you can study without interruptions and take the exam smoothly.
How to Save on CFA Fees in India?
Indians are always looking at ways of smartly saving CFA fees. A well-laid plan can net you good cash savings on fees and extras. Easy ways to cut CFA total fees in India listed below:
Scholarship from CFA Institute
CFA Institute offers scholarships such as: Access scholarship: Up to 90% discount on fees.
- Women’s Scholarship
- Student Scholarship
- Professor Scholarship
One should apply early to reap the benefits.
- Early Registration: Register as early as possible. It saves you $300 for each level.
- Avoid Rescheduling Plan your exam date well. Rescheduling costs $250.
- Use the resources for free study
- Use the CFA Institute’s free materials first and you can get free mock tests online too.
CFA Fees India FAQs
1. How much is the total cost for CFA in India?
The total CFA fees in India vary between ₹2.6 lakhs and ₹3.4 lakhs, which includes exam, registration, and study materials.
2. How much is the CFA?
On an international level, CFA is around $3,170 (₹2.65 lakhs) if the registration is done early. Late registration pushes fees up to approximately $4,100 (₹3.4 lakhs).
3. Is it worth pursuing CFA Level 1 in India?
Yes, CFA Level 1 imparts good finance knowledge and adds value to your resume. It opens doors for investment and analyst roles early in your career.
4. Is CFA more difficult than CA?
CA is harder in volume and has lower pass percentages in India. CFA is also hard, but it focuses more on global finance with a more structured pattern.
5. Is CFA better than MBA?
CFA is better for investment and finance, while MBA is a broader equipment. Your decision should depend on whether you are targeting finance specialization or business leadership.
