CA Foundation Jan 2026: Registration Fees & Eligibility Guidelines

The CA Foundation Jan 2026 exam will prove to be the very first step on the ladder to becoming a Chartered Accountant, and this January 2026 attempt is your chance to start this rewarding journey. Preparing and making sense of the registration process will be critical to successful completion for anyone in 12th grade or who recently passed. In this guide, we shall take you through everything related to CA Foundation Jan 2026 registration, eligibility, fees, and most importantly, the effective preparation technique.

The registration process in CA Foundation January 2026 is self-explanatory but asks for precision. The institute is the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, where you need to ensure everything is set right before moving on to proceed with the registration process. All this is very important as it would determine the eligibility to sit for an exam.

To enroll, the candidates are required to log onto the website of ICAI and open a new account. Once filling up all the details, they need to submit the requisite documents before making the necessary payment to complete their enrollment process.

Mark your calendar with these crucial dates for the January 2026 attempt.

• Registration Last Date: September 1, 2025
• Exam Form Window: November 2025 (Tentative)
• Exam Dates: January 2026 (Tentative dates to be announced by ICAI)

It’s essential to register before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.

To be eligible to register for the CA Foundation exam, you must meet the following criteria set by the ICAI:

• Academic Qualification: You can register provisionally after passing your Class 10 exams. However, to be eligible to sit for the exam, you must have passed your Class 12 (or equivalent) examination.
• Mandatory Study Period: You must complete a study period of at least four months before the first day of the exam month. This is why registering by September 1, 2025, is required for the Jan 2026 attempt.

Follow these steps on the ICAI’s Self-Service Portal (SSP):

1. Visit the Portal: Go to eservices.icai.org.
2. Create an Account: Use the “First Time User” option to generate your login credentials.
3. Fill the Form: Log in and accurately fill out the registration form with your personal and academic details.
4. Upload Documents: Upload clear, scanned copies of your passport-sized photo, signature, and Class 10 & 12 marksheets (if available).
5. Pay the Fee: Complete the payment online and download the confirmation receipt for your records.

• For Indian Nationals: ₹9,000
• For Foreign Nationals: $700

The exam consists of four papers, each for 100 marks. You must score 40% in each paper and a 50% aggregate to pass.

• Paper 1: Accounting (Subjective)
• Paper 2: Business Laws (Subjective)
• Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude (Objective – MCQ)
• Paper 4: Business Economics (Objective – MCQ)

CA Foundation examination preparation is strategic. Here are the key steps to ensure you are ready to ace this attempt in January 2026.

1. Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The first step is to get familiar with the CA Foundation syllabus and the exam pattern. The CA Foundation exam consists of four papers:

Principles and Practice of Accounting

Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting

Mathematics for Business, Logical Reasoning and Statistics

Business Economics and Business Commercial Know-How

The first two are subjective and the later two are objective. The weightage to be given to each topic should be well known, and the study time on each topic may then be planned.

2. Prepare a Study Schedule

A structured study plan is the most important thing to be maintained to manage time efficiently. Sufficient time should be dedicated to each subject, keeping in mind the weightage and the difficulty level of the topics. A good plan includes:

Daily targets for each subject

Weekly revision to sharpen your memory.

Prepare mock tests to test your knowledge and speed.

3. Collect Study Resources

Right study material is a prerequisite for preparing in a very effective way. Along with the study material by ICAI, one should also collect other study resources like revision notes, mock test papers, and reference books. Coaching classes like Vsmart Academy can provide an expert guiding hand and structured learning.

4. Focus on Conceptual Clarity

Rather than rote learning, focus on understanding the concepts in-depth. CA Foundation requires clarity in each topic as questions can be analytical. Regular practice through problem-solving and mock exams will help strengthen your understanding.

Follow this guide to begin your voyage as a CA. With the right preparation and guidance, you can achieve your cherished dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant. Enroll in registration now and get ready for an attempt in January 2025!