CA Exam Fees and Pricing: The Complete Cost Breakdown for Foundation, Inter, and Final

Before you begin your CA journey, one question almost every aspirant asks is straightforward: how much is this going to cost? The CA course involves multiple examinations, multiple registration fees, and multiple study-related expenses across a preparation period that spans several years. Understanding the full cost structure early allows you to plan your finances without surprises.

This page provides a clear, structured breakdown of CA exam fees and pricing at every level, alongside the additional costs you should account for in your preparation budget.

How CA Exam Fees Are Structured

The CA exam fee structure is set by ICAI, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Fees apply at two distinct points: registration (when you first enrol in a level) and examination (when you apply to appear for a specific exam cycle).

These are separate charges. Registration gives you access to the study material and the right to appear. Examination application fees are paid separately before each attempt.

Fees are revised periodically by ICAI. Always verify current fee amounts directly on the ICAI portal before completing your payment, as the figures below reflect the most recently available data and may be subject to change.

CA Foundation Fees and Pricing

Registration Fees

CA Foundation registration involves a one-time fee paid to ICAI when you first register for the programme. This fee covers your registration, student subscription, and access to ICAI study materials for the Foundation level.

Key cost components at Foundation registration:

• Registration fee payable to ICAI
• Student subscription fee
• Cost of study material (included in some cases, separate in others depending on the registration route)

Examination Application Fees

The examination fee for CA Foundation is paid separately each time you apply for the exam. Foundation is held twice a year, in June and December. Students who do not appear in the first available cycle after registration remain registered for subsequent cycles.

Foundation examination fees are the lowest in the CA programme, reflecting the entry-level nature of the examination.

CA Intermediate Fees and Pricing

Registration Fees

CA Intermediate registration fees are higher than Foundation, reflecting the greater scope and duration of the programme. Students can register for Intermediate after clearing Foundation or through the Direct Entry route if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Key cost components at Intermediate registration:

• Registration fee for the Intermediate programme
• Student subscription fee
• Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) fees, which are mandatory before appearing for Intermediate examinations
• Study material costs

Examination Application Fees

CA Intermediate examination fees are payable separately for Group 1, Group 2, or both groups together. Students who choose to appear for both groups in a single attempt pay a combined fee. Single-group attempts are also permitted.

CA Final Fees and Pricing

Registration Fees

CA Final registration occurs after clearing CA Intermediate. Additional mandatory requirements at this stage include the Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS), which carries its own fee component.

Key cost components at Final registration:

• Registration fee for the Final programme
• Student subscription fee
• AICITSS fees
• Articleship completion requirements (no direct fee, but time-bound)

Examination Application Fees

CA Final examination fees are payable for Group 1, Group 2, or both groups. As with Intermediate, single-group and both-group fee structures differ. Final fees are the highest in the CA programme.

Additional Costs to Budget for Your CA Preparation

ICAI examination fees are only one part of your CA preparation expenditure. A realistic budget for a CA aspirant includes:

Coaching and Tuition Fees Optional but widely used. Coaching fees vary significantly by city, faculty, and format (classroom versus online). Budget this separately from ICAI fees.

Test Series Fees A structured test series with professional evaluation is a critical preparation investment. For a full breakdown of test series fees by level and preparation stage, visit the Fee Structure of Test Series page.

Study Material ICAI provides official study material, but many students supplement with additional reference books, practice manuals, and revision material from commercial publishers.

Video Lectures and Revision Resources For CA Foundation students, structured video lecture resources are available alongside test series plans. The CA Foundation Video Lectures and Books page provides an overview of lecture and reading resources available on the platform.

How Test Series Fees Fit Into Your Overall CA Budget

A test series is not a luxury expenditure in a CA preparation budget. It is among the highest-return investments you can make, because it is the only preparation tool that tells you, before results day, whether your written answers will earn the marks your study hours deserve.

CA Test Series offers plans across Foundation, Inter, and Final at pricing that reflects each level's evaluation complexity. Foundation plans are the most accessible tier. Final plans are priced to reflect the depth of evaluation involved in reviewing three-hour professional-level papers.

The CA Test Series for 2026 page shows current plan options across all three CA levels. Review plan inclusions alongside the fee structure before selecting your plan.

Students Outside India: Fee and Access Considerations

For students in Nepal, the UAE, and Oman preparing for CA examinations, ICAI fees are payable in the relevant currency through the ICAI portal. Test series access through CA Test Series is fully online and available without geographic restriction within these markets.

Students in these regions should confirm currency and payment method availability directly with ICAI for examination registration and with the test series platform for plan enrolment.

Planning Your Full CA Preparation Budget

A structured CA preparation budget should account for:

• ICAI registration fees at each level
• ICAI examination application fees for each attempt
• Mandatory course fees (ICITSS and AICITSS)
• Test series fees across Foundation, Inter, and Final
• Coaching or tuition fees, if applicable
• Study material and reference book costs
• Video lecture subscriptions, if used

Students who plan this budget at the start of their CA journey avoid financial pressure at critical exam periods when their focus should be entirely on preparation.

For CS and CMA students managing a similar multi-level exam fee structure, the CS Test Series for Jun 2026 and CMA Test Series for Jun 2026 pages provide plan and pricing information for those qualifications.