The CA Foundation 2026 exam schedule for the January session is scheduled for January 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026. The form-filling was scheduled from Nov 3 - 16, 2025, and the last date of form-filling with submission of late fees was Nov 19, 2025.
The CA Foundation exam date 2026 for the January session has been scheduled for January 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026. The exam will be conducted in pen and paper mode. The schedule was released along with the official notification. The CA Foundation admit card 2026 for the January session is expected to be released by January 2026. The admit card will be issued on the official website in online mode. You will have to enter your required login credentials to access it.
In addition, the application form-filling was scheduled from Nov 3 - 16, 2025, without submission of late fees. However, with the submission of late fees, the form-filling deadline was November 19, 2025. Those who completed their registration within the given time will be able to appear for the exam. The form correction option was scheduled from Nov 20 - 22, 2025.
What is the CA Foundation Exam?
The CA Foundation is a national-level exam conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The exam is conducted multiple times a year. After qualifying for the CA Foundation exam, you can proceed to the CA Intermediate papers. After completing the CA Intermediate exam, you can then sit for the CA Final exam.
It is a very competitive exam that requires you to have a strong knowledge of Accounting, Mathematics, Law, Economics, General Knowledge, etc. The CA Foundation exam consists of 4 papers in total.
CA Foundation 2026: Check Important Events and Dates
Check out the table shared below showing the CA Foundation 2026 January session important dates.
| Events | Dates |
| CA Foundation 2026 Application Form Release Date | Nov 3, 2025 |
| CA Foundation Application Form Last Date 2026 (Without Late Fees Submission) | Nov 16, 2025 |
| CA Foundation Application Form Last Date 2026 (With Late Fees Submission) | Nov 19, 2025 |
| CA Foundation Application Form Correction Window 2026 | Nov 20 - 22, 2025 |
| CA Foundation Admit Card 2026 Release Date | January 2026 |
| CA Foundation 2026 Exam Date | Jan 18, 20, 22, 24, 2026 |
| CA Foundation Result 2026 Release Date | TBA |
CA Foundation Exam Highlights 2026
Check out the table shared below showing the highlights related to the CA Foundation examination 2026.
| Particulars | Highlights |
| Exam Name | CA Foundation (earlier known as CA CPT) |
| Full Form | Chartered Accountancy Foundation |
| Conducting Authority | The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Category | Undergraduate (UG) |
| Course Offered | Chartered Accountancy in India |
| Exam Mode | Offline, as a Pen and Paper-based Test |
| Language | English |
| Exam Duration | 4 Hours (2 Hours for each session) |
| Frequency | Multiple times a year |
| Official Website | icai.org |
What is the CA Foundation Eligibility Limit 2026?
Check out the details shared below showing the CA Foundation exam eligibility criteria 2026.
- You must have completed your 12th or equivalent from a recognized board.
- You must have registered for 4 months on or before the 1st day of the scheduled CA Foundation examination with the Board of Studies of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
CA Foundation Application Form 2026 Release Date
The CA Foundation exam application form 2026 was issued along with the official notification on the official website in online mode on November 3, 2025. The form-filling was scheduled in online mode, whereas the exam was conducted in offline mode only. The last date to register for the CA Foundation January session exam 2026 was scheduled for November 16, 2025, without the submission of late fees.
However, with the submission of late fees, the last date of submission was scheduled for Nov 19, 2025. In addition, the form correction window for the Jan session was scheduled from Nov 20 - 22, 2025.
CA Foundation Exam Pattern 2026
Check out the table shared below showing the CA Foundation 2026 examination pattern. It will help you understand the exam structure in detail.
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode Of Exam | Offline |
| Number of Papers | 4 |
| Paper Names |
Principles and Practice of Accounting (Paper 1) Business Laws & Business Correspondence and Reporting (Paper 2) Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning & Statistics (Paper 3) Business Economics & Business and Commercial Knowledge (Paper 4) |
| Exam Duration | Paper 1 & 2 - 3 HoursPaper 3 & 4 - 2 Hours |
| Marks for Each Paper | 100 |
| Total Exam Marks | 400 |
| Question Type |
Paper 1 and 2 - Subjective Paper 3 and 4 - Objective |
| Negative marks | -0.25 for every wrong answer (Only for Paper 3 and 4) |
What is the CA Foundation Exam Syllabus 2026?
The CA Foundation exam 2026 syllabus topics have been mentioned in the table below for your guidance. The CA Foundation exam consists of four papers, and all the papers have respective syllabus topics.
| Paper 1: Principles & Practice of Accounting | Paper 2: Business Law & Business Correspondence and Reporting |
| Paper 3: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics | Paper 4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge |
CA Foundation 2026 Exam Reference Books
Some of the books referenced for the CA Foundation 2026 exam preparation are provided here for your convenience. The books will help you prepare more effectively for the upcoming examination.
| Books Name | Authors Name |
| Mercantile Laws for CA CPT | P C Tulsian |
| S Chand Mercantile Laws for CA CPT | P P S GOGNA |
| Mercantile Law | M.C. Kucchal and Vivek Kucchal |
| Padhuka MCQ Bank | G Sekar and B Sarvana Prasath |
| Quantitative Aptitude Mathematics With Short Tricks | CA Rajesh Jogani |
| General Economics | P.M. Salwan & Pranjal B. Deshpande by Taxmann |
| Question Bank with Model Test Papers for CA – Common Proficiency Test (CPT) – Accounting, Mercantile Laws, General Economics & Quantitative Aptitude | R C Bhatt |
| Fundamentals of Accounting for CA – CPT | P.C Tulsian and Bharat Tulsian |
CA Foundation Contact & Helpline
Check out the contact details and official helpline number mentioned below for your guidance.
- Address: The Additional Secretary (Exams), The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI Bhawan, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi 110 002
- Helpline Numbers: 0120-3054 851, 3054 852, 3054 853, 3054 854, 3054 835, 4953751, 4953752, 4953753, 4953754
- E-mail address: foundation_examhelpline@icai.in
Conclusion
The CA Foundation 2026 exam schedule is out. The exam is scheduled for Jan 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026. The exam will be conducted in offline (pen and paper) mode. The application form-filling is now closed. The last date to register for the exam without submission of late fees was November 16, 2025.
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Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper-based Test). -
Conducting Authority: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). -
Total Papers: 4 papers (400 marks total). -
Exam Dates: Jan 18, 20, 22, 24, 2026.
