CA Foundation syllabus

The entry examination of the chartered accountancy course: four papers of 100 marks. Papers 1 and 2 are written answers in 3 hours each. Papers 3 and 4 have 100 objective questions in 2 hours each, +1 for a right answer and −0.25 for a wrong one.

Papers 3 and 4 (objective)

Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude

100 questions, 100 marks · 2 hours, its own sitting

1 mark for a right answer; one quarter of a mark is deducted for a wrong answer; an unanswered question scores 0; more than one darkened circle counts as wrong. The part marks are from the ICAI syllabus. A 6-function calculator is allowed.

  • Part A, Business Mathematics (40 marks): ratio and proportion, indices and logarithms, equations, linear inequalities, mathematics of finance, permutations and combinations, sequences and series, sets, relations and functions, limits, and basic calculus
  • Part B, Logical Reasoning (20 marks): number series, coding and decoding, odd one out, directions, seating arrangements and blood relations
  • Part C, Statistics (40 marks): presentation of data and sampling, central tendency and dispersion, probability, theoretical distributions, correlation and regression, index numbers

Paper 4: Business Economics

100 questions, 100 marks · 2 hours, its own sitting

1 mark for a right answer; one quarter of a mark is deducted for a wrong answer; an unanswered question scores 0. ICAI does not publish how many questions each chapter carries.

  • Nature and scope of business economics, basic problems of an economy and the price mechanism
  • Demand, supply, elasticity, consumer behaviour with indifference curves, and market equilibrium
  • Production, returns, and short-run and long-run costs
  • Perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly, with simple game theory
  • National income, Keynes's two-, three- and four-sector models, and business cycles
  • Public finance, money demand and supply, monetary policy, international trade, and the Indian economy

Papers 1 and 2 (descriptive)

Paper 1: Accounting

Six questions, five to be answered, 100 marks · 3 hours, its own sitting

The question paper is printed in English for all candidates; Hindi-medium candidates may answer in Hindi. Working notes form part of the answer. Not written out on this site.

  • Theoretical framework, accounting concepts, policies and standards
  • Journal, ledger, subsidiary books, trial balance and rectification of errors; bank reconciliation
  • Inventories, depreciation and amortisation, bills of exchange
  • Final accounts of sole proprietors and of not-for-profit organisations, and incomplete records
  • Partnership and LLP accounts: admission, retirement, death, dissolution and goodwill
  • Company accounts: issue and forfeiture of shares, debentures, redemption, bonus and rights issues

Paper 2: Business Laws

Six questions, five to be answered, 100 marks · 3 hours, its own sitting

Printed in English for English-medium candidates and in both languages for Hindi-medium candidates. Answers apply the sections of each Act to short case facts. Not written out on this site.

  • The Indian regulatory framework and its major bodies
  • The Indian Contract Act, 1872, including indemnity, guarantee, bailment, pledge and agency
  • The Sale of Goods Act, 1930
  • The Indian Partnership Act, 1932 and the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008
  • The Companies Act, 2013: features, classes, incorporation, memorandum and articles
  • The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881