ICAI registration · 2027 attempts
1 January 2027: The CA Registration Deadline for Foundation May 2027 and Inter September 2027
If you want to write CA Foundation in May 2027 or CA Intermediate in September 2027, your registration on the ICAI Self Service Portal must be complete on or before 1 January 2027. Register on 2 January and your first attempt moves back by one exam cycle.
Two very different groups of students are working towards the same date this year. Class 12 students who want to start CA with the May 2027 Foundation exam, and students who have just written CA Foundation in September 2026 and want to move to Intermediate as fast as possible. Both deadlines land on 1 January 2027, and both are easy to miss because they fall in the middle of board exam preparation and the festive season.
This guide explains why the date is the same for both, how to work out which attempt you are eligible for, and what to do between now and January.
Why both deadlines fall on 1 January 2027
ICAI does not let you register the week before an exam. Every level has a minimum study period: the time between your registration and the first day of the exam month. The two rules happen to point at the same day.
| Level | Minimum study period | Exam month | Register on or before |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA Foundation | 4 months | May 2027 | 1 January 2027 |
| CA Intermediate | 8 months | September 2027 | 1 January 2027 |
Study-period rules are set by ICAI under the New Scheme of Education and Training. Always confirm the cut-off on icai.org before you pay.
Which attempt are you eligible for?
Find the row that describes you. The right-hand column is the earliest attempt you can realistically aim for if you act now.
| Your situation (October 2026) | Earliest attempt | What to do before 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| In Class 12, writing boards in Feb–Mar 2027 | CA Foundation May 2027 | Register for Foundation on the SSP portal |
| Passed Class 12 in 2026, not yet registered with ICAI | CA Foundation May 2027 | Register for Foundation now; the January 2027 cut-off has already passed |
| Wrote CA Foundation in September 2026 | CA Inter September 2027 (if you pass) | Register for Intermediate as soon as your result is declared |
| Commerce graduate (55%+) or non-commerce graduate (60%+) | CA Inter September 2027 | Register for Intermediate through the direct-entry route |
| Passed ICSI Executive or ICMAI Intermediate | CA Inter September 2027 | Register for Intermediate through the direct-entry route |
| Writing CA Foundation in January 2027 | CA Inter January 2028 | Focus on the January exam; your result arrives after this deadline |
Direct-entry percentages and conditions are ICAI's and can change. Check the current notification before registering.
The tight window for September 2026 Foundation students
The CA Foundation September 2026 exam was held on 2, 5, 7 and 9 September. ICAI has not announced the result date yet, but recent attempts suggest early November 2026. That leaves roughly eight weeks between your result and the Intermediate cut-off. Keep your Foundation login, documents and payment method ready so you can register within a day or two of the result rather than in the last week of December, when the portal is busiest.
Your timeline from now to the exam
- October–December 2026Register on the ICAI SSP portal. Class 12 students start Foundation basics alongside school; Foundation passers start Intermediate Group I.
- 1 January 2027Last date to register for both Foundation May 2027 and Intermediate September 2027.
- February–March 2027Board exams for Class 12 students. Keep one to two hours a day for Foundation revision.
- Around Feb–Mar 2027 (Foundation) and Jun–Jul 2027 (Inter)Exam forms open. Registration and the exam form are separate steps; you must complete both.
- May 2027 / September 2027CA Foundation and CA Intermediate exams.
What each attempt asks of you
CA Foundation May 2027
- 4 papers, 400 marks
- Accounting and Business Laws are written papers
- Quantitative Aptitude and Business Economics are objective, with 0.25 negative marking
- Pass: 40% per paper and 50% overall
Full dates, syllabus and a study plan built around Class 12 boards: CA Foundation May 2027 guide.
CA Inter September 2027
- 6 papers in 2 groups, 100 marks each
- Each paper has 30 marks of MCQs and 70 descriptive marks, no negative marking
- Pass: 40% per paper and 50% aggregate per group
- You can write one group or both groups
Eligibility routes, exam pattern and an eight-month plan: CA Inter September 2027 guide.
Five registration mistakes we see every year
- Confusing registration with the exam form. Registering by 1 January makes you eligible. You still have to fill and pay for the exam form when ICAI opens that window.
- Waiting for the last week. The SSP portal slows down near every deadline, and payment failures are common. Aim to finish by mid-December.
- Names that do not match certificates. Your name and date of birth must match your Class 10 certificate exactly, or the form can be held for correction.
- Choosing the wrong route. Foundation passers and direct-entry graduates follow different Intermediate registration routes. Picking the wrong one usually means a correction request at the regional office.
- Poor photo and signature uploads. Blurred or cropped scans are a frequent reason for rejection. Scan them on a plain white background.
Studying for these attempts in Mumbai
Registration only makes you eligible. Whether you clear the exam depends on how the next few months are used. If you are in Mumbai and prefer classroom teaching, this is how our batches for these two attempts work:
- Every batch is capped at 20 students, so faculty can track each student individually.
- Centres in Andheri West, opposite Andheri station, and in Borivali West.
- Foundation batches are timed around Class 12 school hours; Inter batches start with Group I.
Course details are on our CA Foundation coaching in Mumbai and CA Inter classes in Mumbai pages, and fees are listed on the CA classes fees in Mumbai page.
Not sure which attempt to target?
Book a free demo class and our counsellors will check your eligibility and help with SSP registration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for CA Foundation May 2027?
1 January 2027. ICAI requires four months of registration before the first day of the exam month.
What is the last date to register for CA Inter September 2027?
1 January 2027. ICAI requires eight months of registration before the first day of the exam month.
What happens if I register after 1 January 2027?
Your first eligible attempt moves to the next exam cycle: September 2027 for Foundation and January 2028 for Intermediate.
I wrote CA Foundation in September 2026. When should I register for Intermediate?
As soon as your result is declared, which is expected around early November 2026. Registering early in that window avoids last-minute portal issues before 1 January 2027.
Can I register for CA Foundation while I am still in Class 12?
Yes. Students appearing for Class 12 can register for Foundation. Check ICAI's exam-form conditions for students whose Class 12 result is pending at the time of the exam.
Is registering with ICAI the same as filling the exam form?
No. Registration makes you eligible for an attempt. The exam form is a separate application and fee that you submit when ICAI opens the window for that attempt.
About this guide: Written by the academic team at Wisdom Academy, a CA coaching institute in Andheri West and Borivali, Mumbai. Exam rules are based on ICAI's published regulations; dates marked as expected are based on recent attempts and will be updated when ICAI notifies them.
Related reading: CA Foundation January 2027 guide · CA Inter January 2027 guide · CA coaching in Mumbai