CA Foundation Curriculum (ICAI New Scheme) – Detailed Guide

The CA Foundation is the entry-level examination of the Chartered Accountancy course conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It is designed to build a strong foundation in accounting, business laws, economics, mathematics, logical reasoning, and statistics. Under the current scheme, the course comprises four papers of 100 marks each, for a total of 400 marks. (ICAI)

CA Foundation Examination Pattern

Particular	Details
Number of Papers	4
Total Marks	400
Marks per Paper	100
Passing Requirement	Minimum 40% in each paper and 50% aggregate
Level	Entry Level of CA Course

Paper 1 – Accounting (100 Marks)

This paper develops the fundamentals of financial accounting and the preparation of financial statements.

Unit 1: Theoretical Framework

Students study:

Nature and objectives of accounting
Bookkeeping vs. accounting
Accounting principles
Accounting concepts and conventions
Accounting standards (introductory)
Capital and revenue items
Accounting policies

Unit 2: Accounting Process

Topics include:

Double-entry system
Journal
Ledger
Trial Balance
Cash Book
Subsidiary Books
Rectification of Errors
Bank Reconciliation Statement
Bills of Exchange
Inventory Valuation
Depreciation

Unit 3: Final Accounts

Students learn to prepare:

Trading Account
Profit & Loss Account
Balance Sheet
Accounts from Incomplete Records
Accounts of Not-for-Profit Organisations

Unit 4: Partnership Accounts

Topics include:

Partnership Fundamentals
Profit Sharing
Admission
Retirement
Death of Partner
Dissolution
Goodwill
Piecemeal Distribution

Unit 5: Company Accounts

Students study:

Issue of Shares
Forfeiture
Reissue
Issue and Redemption of Debentures
Bonus Issue
Rights Issue

Paper 2 – Business Laws (100 Marks)

This paper introduces the legal framework governing business transactions.

Unit 1: Indian Contract Act, 1872

Topics include:

Nature of Contract
Essential Elements of Valid Contract
Offer and Acceptance
Consideration
Capacity of Parties
Free Consent
Void Agreements
Performance of Contracts
Breach of Contract
Quasi Contracts

Unit 2: Sale of Goods Act, 1930

Students study:

Contract of Sale
Conditions and Warranties
Transfer of Property
Rights of Unpaid Seller

Unit 3: Indian Partnership Act, 1932

Topics:

Nature of Partnership
Rights and Duties of Partners
Registration
Dissolution

Unit 4: Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008

Topics:

Formation
Partners
Rights
Liabilities
Conversion
Winding Up

Unit 5: Companies Act (Selected Provisions)

Students learn:

Types of Companies
Incorporation
Corporate Personality
Memorandum of Association
Articles of Association

Paper 3 – Quantitative Aptitude (100 Marks)

Paper 3 is divided into three parts. (ICAI)

Part A – Business Mathematics (40 Marks)

Topics include:

Ratio and Proportion

Ratios
Proportions
Indices
Logarithms

Equations

Linear Equations
Quadratic Equations

Linear Inequalities

Mathematics of Finance

Students learn:

Simple Interest
Compound Interest
Present Value
Future Value
Annuities

Permutations and Combinations

Sequence and Series

Arithmetic Progression
Geometric Progression

Sets, Relations and Functions

Basics of Limits and Continuity

Basic Differential and Integral Calculus

Applications in Business and Economics.

Part B – Logical Reasoning (20 Marks)

Topics include:

Number Series
Coding and Decoding
Odd Man Out
Direction Sense Test
Seating Arrangement
Blood Relations
Syllogisms
Logical Puzzles

Part C – Statistics (40 Marks)

Students study:

Statistical Description of Data

Classification
Tabulation
Graphical Presentation

Measures of Central Tendency

Mean
Median
Mode

Measures of Dispersion

Range
Quartile Deviation
Mean Deviation
Standard Deviation

Sampling

Probability

Theoretical Distributions

Correlation and Regression

Paper 4 – Business Economics (100 Marks)

This paper introduces economics and business environment concepts.

Unit 1: Business Economics

Students study:

Nature and Scope of Business Economics

Theory of Demand and Supply

Topics:

Demand
Supply
Elasticity
Consumer Behaviour

Theory of Production and Cost

Students learn:

Production Function
Cost Concepts
Economies of Scale

Price Determination

Topics:

Perfect Competition
Monopoly
Monopolistic Competition
Oligopoly

Business Cycles

Students study:

Expansion
Boom
Recession
Depression
Recovery

Unit 2: Business and Commercial Knowledge

Topics include:

Business Environment

Business Organisations

Sole Proprietorship
Partnership
Company
LLP

Government Policies

Business Facilitation

Students study:

Banking
Insurance
Capital Markets
Digital Business

Business Ethics

Corporate Governance

Entrepreneurship

Emerging Technologies

Students gain introductory knowledge of:

Digital Economy
E-commerce
Financial Technology (FinTech)

Skills Developed Through CA Foundation

The curriculum develops:

Financial Accounting
Business Law Interpretation
Quantitative Aptitude
Logical Reasoning
Statistical Analysis
Economic Analysis
Business Communication
Analytical Thinking
Decision Making
Professional Ethics
Problem Solving

Recommended ICAI Study Resources

ICAI provides official learning materials for all four papers, including:

Study Modules
Model Test Papers (MTPs)
Revision Test Papers (RTPs)
Past Examination Papers

You can access these through the official ICAI student portal and syllabus pages. ICAI Foundation Course Syllabus ICAI Foundation Study Material (Paper-wise)

Progression After CA Foundation

After successfully clearing the Foundation level, students proceed to:

CA Intermediate
Practical Training (Articleship, as applicable under ICAI regulations)
CA Final
Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) after fulfilling all examination and training requirements. (ICAI)