The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially declared the results for the CA Foundation May 2025 examination today, July 6, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM IST. Aspirants can access their results, including the detailed pass percentage, on the official ICAI result portal: icai.nic.in, icaiexam.icai.org, and icai.org.
The CA Foundation exam, the first step toward becoming a Chartered Accountant in India, is conducted by the ICAI and is known for its challenging nature, reflected in consistently low pass percentages ranging between 15% and 30%. To pass, candidates must score at least 40% in each of the four papers and 50% overall, with penalties for wrong answers in objective papers.
Pass rates have fluctuated over the years, with a notable dip to 14.96% in June 2024 due to the introduction of a new education scheme, though subsequent sessions have shown slight improvement as students adapt.
Success requires disciplined preparation, conceptual clarity, regular practice, effective stress management, and staying updated on ICAI changes, underscoring that while the path is demanding, determined aspirants can achieve their goal with strategic effort.
A Deep Dive into ICAI CA Foundation Pass Percentages
The CA Foundation examination, conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), serves as the initial hurdle for aspiring Chartered Accountants.
Renowned for its challenging nature, the pass percentage for this exam provides a critical barometer of its difficulty and the preparedness of candidates. While fluctuations occur, the pass rates consistently underscore the rigorous standards maintained by the ICAI.
May 2025 Pass Percentage (As Declared)
(This section will be updated with the precise figures once ICAI publishes the full breakdown of appeared and passed candidates by gender.)
Understanding the Passing Criteria
Before delving into the statistics, it’s crucial to understand what it takes to clear the CA Foundation exam. Candidates must meet a dual requirement:
- Individual Paper Requirement: A minimum of 40% marks in each of the four papers.
- Overall Aggregate: An aggregate score of 50% across all four papers. This means a total of at least 200 out of 400 marks.
Failing to meet either of these criteria, even if individual paper marks are above 40%, will result in failure. There is also negative marking of 0.25 for incorrect answers in objective papers (Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude and Paper 4: Business Economics).
Recent Trends in CA Foundation Pass Percentage
While the exact May 2025 figures have just been released, we can analyze the passing criteria, historical trends, and key insights.
The CA Foundation pass percentage typically hovers between 20% and 30%. However, recent sessions have shown variations, at times dipping lower, especially with the introduction of the new scheme of education and training.
📊 Recent Trends in CA Foundation Pass Percentage
January 2025
- Male: 21.74%
- Female: 21.27%
- Total: 21.52%
- Appeared: 110,887
- Passed: 23,861
September 2024
- Male: 20.47%
- Female: 18.76%
- Total: 19.67%
- Appeared: 70,437
- Passed: 13,858
June 2024 (Lowest)
- Male: 15.66%
- Female: 14.14%
- Total: 14.96%
- Appeared: 91,900
- Passed: 13,749
December 2023
- Male: 30.19%
- Female: 29.77%
- Total: 29.99%
- Appeared: 137,153
- Passed: 41,132
June 2023
- Male: 25.99%
- Female: 23.80%
- Total: 24.98%
- Appeared: 103,517
- Passed: 25,860
December 2022
- Male: 29.57%
- Female: 28.88%
- Total: 29.25%
- Appeared: 126,015
- Passed: 36,864
December 2021
- Male: 30.20%
- Female: 30.37%
- Total: 30.28%
- Appeared: 110,662
- Passed: 33,510
June 2021
- Male: 26.08%
- Female: 27.26%
- Total: 26.62%
- Appeared: 71,967
- Passed: 19,158
January 2021
- Male: 24.91%
- Female: 24.85%
- Total: 24.89%
- Appeared: 27,276
- Passed: 6,922
November 2020
- Male: 36.11%
- Female: 33.88%
- Total: 35.03%
- Appeared: 78,014
- Passed: 27,327
June 2019
- Male: 18.47%
- Female: 18.72%
- Total: 18.58%
- Appeared: 30,971
- Passed: 5,753
November 2018 (Highest)
- Male: 43.03%
- Female: 45.56%
- Total: 44.12%
- Appeared: 48,702
- Passed: 21,488
It’s noteworthy that November 2018 saw a remarkably high pass percentage of 44.12%, while the June 2024 session recorded a significant drop to 14.96%, potentially attributable to the initial adjustments with the ICAI New Scheme of Education and Training. Subsequent sessions (September 2024, January 2025) have shown slight improvements, suggesting students are gradually adapting to the new structure.
Factors Influencing Pass Percentage
Several factors contribute to the often-low pass percentage of the CA Foundation exam:
Exam Difficulty: The ICAI designs the exam to be comprehensive, testing not just theoretical knowledge but also application and analytical skills. While generally considered “easy to moderate” compared to Inter and Final levels, it is still a demanding examination.
Extensive Syllabus: The syllabus for CA Foundation is vast, covering Principles and Practice of Accounting, Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting, Quantitative Aptitude (Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and Statistics), and Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge.
Passing Criteria: The dual requirement of 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate makes it challenging. A common pitfall is students excelling in some papers but failing to meet the minimum in others or not achieving the overall aggregate.
Preparation Strategy: Effective preparation is paramount. Students who focus on conceptual clarity over rote learning, practice regularly with mock tests, and manage their time efficiently tend to perform better. Neglecting any subject, even those considered easier, can be detrimental.
Quality of Coaching/Self-Study: While self-study is possible, many students opt for coaching to gain structured guidance. The quality of coaching and the student’s disciplined self-study habits directly impact their performance.
Mental Toughness and Stress: The pressure associated with CA exams and the extensive study period can lead to stress and demotivation. Maintaining a positive mindset and managing stress are crucial.
Adaptation to New Schemes: As seen with the June 2024 results, changes in the examination pattern or syllabus (like the New Scheme of Education and Training) can initially lead to a dip in pass rates as students and educators adapt.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
The pass percentages for the ICAI CA Foundation exam highlight its competitive nature. However, they should not discourage aspiring Chartered Accountants. Instead, they should serve as a reminder of the dedication and strategic preparation required.
- Comprehensive Study: Give equal importance to all four papers and ensure you meet both the individual paper and overall aggregate criteria.
- Conceptual Clarity: Focus on understanding the underlying concepts rather than mere memorization. This is vital for applying knowledge to varied problems.
- Regular Practice: Solve a wide range of problems, including past exam papers and mock tests, to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.
- Stay Updated: Keep abreast of any changes in the syllabus, exam pattern, or ICAI announcements.
- Seek Guidance: Don’t hesitate to seek help from mentors, teachers, or study groups to clarify doubts and gain insights.
While the journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant is rigorous, with consistent effort, a well-planned strategy, and unwavering determination, success in the CA Foundation examination is achievable.
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