The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially declared the results of the CA Foundation Examination held in May 2026, bringing relief and excitement to thousands of Chartered Accountancy aspirants across the country. The results indicate a modest improvement in the overall success rate, reflecting consistent academic performance among candidates.
A total of 90,217 candidates appeared for the examination, of whom 18,124 successfully qualified, resulting in an overall pass percentage of 20.09%, slightly higher than the January 2026 session.
The latest results reaffirm the CA Foundation examination’s reputation as one of India’s most competitive professional entrance examinations.
Key Highlights
- Overall pass percentage: 20.09%
- Candidates appeared: 90,217
- Candidates qualified: 18,124
- Male pass percentage: 20.88%
- Female pass percentage: 19.24%
- All India Rank 1: Sakshi Jain (Nashik)
- All India Rank 2: Ayanabbas Ajani (Chandrapur)
- All India Rank 3: Radha Unmesh Mulay (Pune)
- All top three rank holders are from Maharashtra.
Merit List: Maharashtra Leads the Way
The May 2026 examination witnessed an impressive performance by students from Maharashtra, who secured all three top positions in the national merit list.
Top Rank Holders
| Rank | Candidate | City | Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR 1 | Sakshi Jain | Nashik | 371/400 | 92.75% |
| AIR 2 | Ayanabbas Ajani | Chandrapur | 367/400 | 91.75% |
| AIR 3 | Radha Unmesh Mulay | Pune | 365/400 | 91.25% |
The outstanding scores demonstrate the high level of preparation and academic excellence required to excel in the CA Foundation examination.
Pass Percentage Shows Positive Improvement
The overall pass rate increased to 20.09%, compared with 19.23% recorded in the January 2026 session.
Although fewer candidates appeared in May, the improved success rate suggests slightly better overall performance.
Gender-wise Performance
| Category | Appeared | Passed | Pass Percentage |
| Male | 46,798 | 9,769 | 20.88% |
| Female | 43,419 | 8,355 | 19.24% |
| Overall | 90,217 | 18,124 | 20.09% |
Male candidates recorded a marginally higher success rate, while the overall gender gap remained relatively narrow.
Why the CA Foundation Examination Is Considered Challenging
The CA Foundation serves as the entry point to India’s Chartered Accountancy programme and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most demanding professional examinations.
The examination evaluates candidates in areas such as:
- Accounting Principles
- Business Laws
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Business Economics
- Logical Reasoning
- Mathematics
- Commercial Knowledge
Candidates must demonstrate conceptual clarity, analytical thinking, numerical ability, and consistent preparation to succeed.
Qualifying Criteria
To qualify for the CA Foundation examination, candidates must:
- Score at least 40% marks in each individual paper.
- Obtain a minimum aggregate of 50% across all papers.
- Candidates securing 70% or above aggregate marks receive the distinction of “Qualified with Distinction.”
What Qualified Candidates Should Do Next
Students who have cleared the Foundation examination are now eligible to register for the CA Intermediate course, the second stage of the Chartered Accountancy programme.
The next ICAI Intermediate examination is scheduled for September 2026, with registrations opening shortly after the Foundation results. Aspirants should complete registration, begin advanced preparation, and familiarise themselves with the Intermediate syllabus at the earliest.
Guidance for Candidates Who Could Not Qualify
With an overall pass rate of around one in five candidates, many aspirants will need to reappear in the next examination cycle.
Rather than viewing the outcome as a setback, students should:
- Analyse subject-wise performance.
- Identify conceptual weaknesses.
- Practice mock tests and previous-year papers.
- Strengthen time management.
- Revise consistently instead of relying on last-minute preparation.
Many successful Chartered Accountants clear the examination after multiple attempts, highlighting the importance of perseverance and disciplined preparation.
