ICAI Releases Eligibility Criteria for CA Foundation & Intermediate May 2026 Exams

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released a detailed advisory outlining the requirements for students planning to appear in the Foundation and Intermediate examinations scheduled for May 2026. Candidates are advised to verify their eligibility status and update required details on the Self Service Portal (SSP) before submitting the exam application form.

The announcement highlights key conditions related to course registration, conversion requirements, photograph and signature specifications, and study period eligibility.

Mandatory Checks Before Filling May 2026 Exam Form

ICAI has asked candidates to carefully review the following requirements:

1. Valid SSP Login Credentials

Students must have active login credentials on the SSP portal. New users are required to create an account before proceeding.

2. Valid Course Registration & Conversion (If Applicable)

Candidates must ensure their course registration is valid. Those enrolled under old course codes must convert to the new scheme before applying.

Required Course Codes:

• Intermediate: NEWINT23 or CONINT23
• Foundation: NEWFND23 or CONFND23

ICAI clarified that no fee is required for course conversion.

Foundation Course Eligibility - May 2026

Students applying for the Foundation exam must meet the following conditions:

1. Registration in the Foundation Course on or before January 1, 2026
2. Students converted from CPT to Foundation must complete the conversion before applying
3. Candidates must have either:

• Appeared in Class 12 board exams and upload the admit card by April 2026, OR
• Passed Class 12 and uploaded the mark sheet on SSP

Intermediate Course Eligibility - May 2026

For Intermediate candidates, the key eligibility condition is:

• Completion of 8 months of study period as on May 1, 2026
• Registration must be completed on or before September 1, 2025

Students must also verify their group-wise registration status before submitting the exam form.

Strict Photo & Signature Guidelines

ICAI has prescribed specific technical requirements for uploading photographs and signatures:

Photo Requirements

• 80% face visibility (no mask)
• White background
• No caps or goggles (religious headwear allowed if face visible)
• No selfies
• JPG/JPEG format
• Size: 20–50 KB
• Dimensions: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm

Signature Requirements

• Black pen on white sheet
• JPG/JPEG format
• Size: 10–20 KB
• Dimensions: 6 cm x 2 cm

Students are advised to ensure clear visibility and proper cropping to avoid rejection.

Helpdesk Support

For exam-related queries:

• Foundation: foundation_examhelpline@icai.in
• Intermediate: intermediate_examhelpline@icai.in

For SSP portal issues:

• hossp@icai.in
• ssp.helpdesk@icai.in

Key Takeaway

ICAI has urged candidates to update all required information well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues while filing the May 2026 examination forms. Ensuring proper course registration, eligibility compliance, and document uploads will help students complete the application process smoothly.

Click here to view/download the official copy of the notification