More than 84,000 candidates did not clear CA Foundation in September 2026. If you are one of them, the January 2027 exam is only seven weeks away, and that is enough time if you start now.
This plan covers the form deadline, how to read your marksheet, a week by week schedule and the ICAI resources to use. See our CA Foundation Sep 2026 result analysis for the full numbers.
Last updated: 13 November 2026.
First, Apply for January 2027
Do this before anything else. The exam form closes soon, and you can apply without waiting for any verification of your marks.
| Detail | Date or fee |
|---|---|
| Last date without late fee | 16 November 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last date with late fee | 19 November 2026 |
| Fee for a centre in India | ₹1,500, or ₹2,100 with late fee |
| Free correction window for centre and medium | 20 to 22 November 2026 |
Follow our January 2027 exam form guide for the steps. Save the exam form PDF after you pay.
The January 2027 Exam at a Glance
| Date | Paper | Timing | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 January 2027 | Paper 1: Accounting | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Descriptive |
| 5 January 2027 | Paper 2: Business Laws | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Descriptive |
| 7 January 2027 | Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Objective |
| 9 January 2027 | Paper 4: Business Economics | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Objective |
Papers 3 and 4 carry negative marking of 0.25 mark for every wrong answer. To pass, you need at least 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate, at one sitting.
That means you write all four papers again, even the ones you scored well in last time.
Read Your Marksheet Before You Plan
Your marks tell you where the next seven weeks should go. Find your situation below. These are our suggestions, not ICAI rules.
| What your marksheet shows | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate 50% or more, but one paper below 40% | One weak paper failed you | Give that paper the most time, but keep the others warm with weekly practice |
| All papers 40% or more, but aggregate below 50% | You are close everywhere | Push your two strongest papers higher, since that is the fastest way to add marks |
| Two or more papers well below 40% | The basics need work | Restart those subjects from the study material, one chapter at a time |
| Low marks in Paper 3 or 4 | Accuracy or speed problem | Do timed MCQ sets daily and review every wrong answer |
Your Seven Week Plan
Build the plan around ICAI’s two mock test series. Write each mock at the real exam time and check it the same evening.
| Dates | Focus |
|---|---|
| 14 to 22 November | Apply by 16 November. List your weak chapters from the marksheet and restart daily practice |
| 23 to 30 November | Work on your weakest paper first, with daily Paper 3 practice. Start the January 2027 RTP |
| 1 to 9 December | MTP Series I: Accounting on 1 December, Business Laws on 3, Quantitative Aptitude on 7 and Business Economics on 9 |
| 10 to 13 December | Fix every mistake from Series I before moving on |
| 14 to 21 December | MTP Series II: Accounting on 14 December, Business Laws on 16, Quantitative Aptitude on 18 and Business Economics on 21 |
| 22 December to 1 January | Final revision: RTP questions, formats, legal provisions and MCQ practice |
| 2 January | Light revision only, and keep your admit card ready for 3 January |
Want the planner to build the dates for you? Try the free CA Revision Planner and select Foundation with one month or two.
Paper by Paper Tips
Paper 1: Accounting
Practise full questions, not just reading solutions. Show working notes neatly, since examiners give step marks for them.
Paper 2: Business Laws
Write each answer in three parts: the provision, how it applies to the facts, and your conclusion. Practise writing, because knowing the law is not the same as presenting it.
Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude
Do timed sets every day across maths, logical reasoning and statistics. Every wrong answer costs a quarter mark, so read each question fully before you mark it.
Paper 4: Business Economics
Read the theory once, then solve a large number of MCQs. Revisit the chapters where your mock answers go wrong.
Free ICAI Resources for January 2027
| Resource | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Revision Test Papers for January 2027 | All four papers on our CA Foundation RTP page |
| Mock Test Papers, Series I and II | Schedule and papers on our CA Foundation MTP page |
| Live Virtual Classes | Free ICAI classes for January 2027, with recordings. See our live virtual classes guide |
| Study material | ICAI’s BoS Knowledge Portal |
For Business Laws, our Business Laws syllabus and weightage guide helps you prioritise. If you want to relearn subjects with full lectures, see the CA Foundation all subject combo.
If You Doubt Your Marks
As of 13 November 2026, ICAI has not announced a verification window for the Foundation result. Watch the ICAI announcements page, and apply for January 2027 anyway, without waiting.
Check How Long Your Registration Is Valid
ICAI says Foundation registration is valid for 4 years from your first eligible attempt, and it cannot be revalidated. Check your validity on the Self Service Portal, so you know how many attempts you have left.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next CA Foundation exam?
3, 5, 7 and 9 January 2027.
What is the last date to apply for January 2027?
16 November 2026 without late fee, or 19 November 2026 with a late fee of ₹600.
Do I have to write all four papers again?
Yes. You must pass all four papers at one sitting, with 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate.
Is seven weeks enough to clear CA Foundation?
It can be, if you apply now, follow a fixed plan and write both ICAI mock test series seriously.
Is there negative marking in CA Foundation?
Yes, 0.25 mark for every wrong answer in Papers 3 and 4, which are objective.
When are the ICAI mock tests for January 2027?
Series I runs from 1 to 9 December 2026, and Series II from 14 to 21 December 2026.
Source: ICAI’s FAQs on the New Scheme of Education and Training, the ICAI mock test notice for January 2027 and the ICAI announcements page.
