Home/Blog/CA Foundation Exam Date 2026: Complete Schedule Guide

CA Foundation Exam Date 2026: Complete Schedule Guide

26 April 2026·5 min read·By CA Saarthi Team

CA Foundation exam date 2026CA Foundation May 2026CA Foundation November 2026ICAI exam schedule 2026CA Foundation timetableCA Foundation registration deadlineICAI CA Foundation

The **CA Foundation exam date 2026** covers two examination windows: May 2026 and November 2026, as announced by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Knowing these dates well in advance helps you plan registration, study schedules, and revision cycles without last-minute stress.

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Overview

The CA Foundation examination is the entry-level stage of the Chartered Accountancy programme conducted by ICAI. As per the latest ICAI guidelines applicable for 2026, the exam is held **twice a year** — once in May and once in November. Each session spans multiple days, with one paper scheduled per day to give students adequate recovery time between subjects.

Why exam dates matter more than you think

Missing a registration deadline means waiting an entire six months for the next attempt. That single delay can push back your entire CA journey by half a year. Keeping a clear calendar of exam dates, form-filling windows, and admit card release dates is therefore one of the most practical things a CA Foundation aspirant can do.

Examination authority

All CA Foundation exams are conducted by the Board of Examinations, ICAI. Official notifications are published on [icai.org](https://www.icai.org) and its examination portal. Always verify dates directly from ICAI's official website, as schedules can be revised due to public holidays or administrative reasons.

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Key Concepts

Understanding the CA Foundation exam calendar requires familiarity with a handful of terms and timelines that ICAI uses consistently.

Examination sessions

: **May session** — Typically held in the second or third week of May. Candidates who register by the prescribed deadline (usually in January) are eligible.

: **November session** — Typically held in the second or third week of November. Registration usually closes around July.

Important dates to track (as per ICAI's typical annual pattern)

Milestone	May 2026 (Indicative)	November 2026 (Indicative)
Registration / Exam form open	December 2025	June 2026
Last date to fill exam form	January 2026	July 2026
Admit card release	~2 weeks before exam	~2 weeks before exam
Examination dates	May 2026	November 2026
Result declaration	~6–8 weeks after exam	~6–8 weeks after exam

> **Important hedge:** The exact dates in the table above are indicative, based on ICAI's historical pattern. Always confirm the official schedule on [icai.org](https://www.icai.org) before taking any action.

Paper-wise schedule structure

CA Foundation has four papers:

Paper 1 – Principles and Practice of Accounting (100 marks)

Paper 2 – Business Laws (100 marks)

Paper 3 – Quantitative Aptitude: Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning & Statistics (100 marks)

Paper 4 – Business Economics (100 marks)

Papers 1 and 2 are subjective (descriptive answers). Papers 3 and 4 are objective (MCQ-based). ICAI schedules one paper per day, so the exam window typically spans four consecutive or near-consecutive days.

Eligibility reminder

As per the latest ICAI eligibility norms applicable for 2026, a student must have:

Passed Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognised board, **and**

Completed the mandatory four-month study period after registration with ICAI before appearing in the Foundation exam.

Students who register in January 2026 would typically complete their four-month period by May 2026, making them eligible for the May session — subject to ICAI's official confirmation.

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Worked Examples / Illustrations

Illustration 1: Planning backwards from the CA Foundation exam date 2026

Suppose ICAI announces the May 2026 Foundation exam for 15–18 May 2026 (hypothetical). Here is how a smart aspirant would plan:

**Confirm registration deadline** — Check icai.org; assume 31 January 2026.

**Verify four-month study period** — Registered on 1 January 2026 → four months complete by 1 May 2026 → eligible for May 2026 exam. ✓

**Fill examination form** — Complete online form before 31 January 2026; keep fee payment receipt.

**Download admit card** — Typically available ~10–14 days before the exam; check the ICAI exam portal.

**Exam days** — Appear for all four papers across four days.

**Result** — Expect results approximately 6–8 weeks after the last paper.

Illustration 2: What if you miss the May 2026 form deadline?

A student who registers with ICAI on 15 February 2026 will complete four months only on 15 June 2026. This means:

May 2026 session → **Not eligible** (four-month period incomplete).

November 2026 session → **Eligible**, provided the exam form is submitted within the July 2026 deadline.

This illustrates why tracking the CA Foundation exam date 2026 alongside your registration date is critical.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Relying on unofficial sources for exam dates

Social media posts and coaching institute circulars sometimes circulate incorrect or outdated dates. Always cross-check with [icai.org](https://www.icai.org).

2. Confusing the registration deadline with the exam form deadline

These are two separate events. *Registration* with ICAI (one-time) starts your study period. The *examination form* must be filled separately for each attempt, within a specific window. Missing the exam form deadline means you cannot sit for that session even if you are registered.

3. Ignoring the four-month study period rule

Many first-time aspirants assume that clearing Class 12 is the only eligibility requirement. The mandatory four-month study period after ICAI registration is equally important and is strictly enforced.

4. Not downloading the admit card in time

ICAI does not send physical admit cards by post. You must download it from the exam portal. Candidates who forget to download it before the exam day risk being denied entry to the examination hall.

5. Assuming exam dates are fixed every year

ICAI adjusts dates based on the academic calendar, public holidays, and board exam schedules. What was true in 2024 or 2025 may shift by a week or two in 2026. Always check the official notification.

6. Overlooking the result date for next-attempt planning

If you are planning to attempt both May and November 2026 (in case of an unsuccessful first attempt), factor in the result declaration timeline (~6–8 weeks post-exam) so you can recalibrate your study plan promptly.

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How This Is Tested in CA Foundation

While "exam dates" are not directly tested as a topic inside the CA Foundation syllabus, understanding ICAI's examination structure is relevant in several indirect ways:

Time management and exam strategy

The four-paper format spread over consecutive days tests not just knowledge but stamina and scheduling ability. Knowing the paper sequence in advance helps you allocate revision time — for example, if Paper 1 (Accounting) falls on Day 1, you want your accounting revision to peak the day before, not two days before.

Syllabus awareness

As per the latest ICAI syllabus applicable for the May 2026 exam onwards, the Foundation course covers:

Paper 1: — Accounting principles, journal entries, final accounts, partnership accounts, company accounts basics.

Paper 2: — Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, Negotiable Instruments Act, and other business laws.

Paper 3: — Business mathematics, logical reasoning, and statistics — all objective.

Paper 4: — Business economics — micro and macro concepts — objective.

Aligning your study calendar with the official exam date ensures you complete the syllabus with buffer time for mock tests and revision, rather than rushing through chapters in the final week.

Mock exam practice

ICAI's Board of Studies releases mock test papers before each examination session. These are timed to mirror actual exam conditions. Tracking the CA Foundation exam date 2026 lets you schedule mock tests 3–4 weeks before the actual exam — the optimal window for identifying weak areas and correcting them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When is the CA Foundation exam date for May 2026?

As per ICAI's typical annual schedule, the May 2026 CA Foundation exam is expected in the second or third week of May 2026. The exact dates will be officially notified on [icai.org](https://www.icai.org). Check the official exam notification for confirmed dates.

Q2. What is the last date to fill the CA Foundation exam form for May 2026?

Historically, ICAI keeps the examination form window open until late January for the May session. However, this can vary. Monitor the official ICAI website and your registered email for notifications.

Q3. How many times can I attempt the CA Foundation exam in 2026?

You can attempt the CA Foundation exam twice in 2026 — once in the May session and once in the November session — provided you meet the eligibility criteria (Class 12 pass and four-month study period completion) for each session.

Q4. Where can I download the CA Foundation admit card for 2026?

Admit cards are available on ICAI's official exam portal (accessible via [icai.org](https://www.icai.org)) approximately 10–14 days before the exam. No physical admit card is dispatched by post.

Q5. Is the CA Foundation exam the same as the CPT exam?

No. The Common Proficiency Test (CPT) was the earlier entry-level exam. It was replaced by the CA Foundation course under the revised scheme. If you registered under the new scheme, you appear for the Foundation exam, not CPT.

Q6. What happens if ICAI changes the CA Foundation exam date after I have planned my schedule?

ICAI issues official corrigenda or revised notifications on [icai.org](https://www.icai.org) whenever dates change. Subscribe to ICAI email alerts and check the website regularly — especially in the 4–6 weeks leading up to the exam — to stay updated on any revisions.

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*Last updated: 26 April 2026. Exam dates and deadlines mentioned in this article are indicative, based on ICAI's historical pattern. Always verify current information at [icai.org](https://www.icai.org) before taking any action.*