CA Exam Pass Rates & Statistics
Official ICAI examination results and pass percentages for CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams (2024-2026).
Key Insights (Updated: January 2026)
- • January 2026 Results: Foundation 19.23%, Intermediate 9.39%, Final 10.97% (both groups)
- • CA Final Group II had an unusually low 9.76% pass rate in January 2026
- • Top Rank Holder (Final): Diksha Goyal from Karnal with 81% (486/600 marks)
- • 7,590 new CAs qualified in January 2026
- • Total 51,002 new CAs qualified across all attempts tracked
Pass Rate Comparison Across Levels
Lower pass rates = Higher difficulty. CA Final is the most challenging level.
Understanding What Pass Rates Actually Mean
What the pass rate measures:
"Of all candidates who appeared in THIS specific exam, what percentage passed?"
Example: 98,827 appeared for Foundation Sep 2025 → 14,609 passed → 14.78% pass rate
What the pass rate does NOT measure:
"Of students who started the CA journey, what percentage eventually become CAs?"
Each exam has a mix of first-time candidates, repeat candidates, and those clearing remaining groups.
If we (incorrectly) multiply pass rates:
Why this calculation is misleading:
- ⚠️ Different populations: The 93,074 who appeared for Inter in Sep 2025 are NOT the same people who passed Foundation in Sep 2025
- ⚠️ Multiple attempts: Most students take 2-4 attempts per level. The pass rate includes both first-timers and repeaters
- ⚠️ Group-wise clearing: Students can clear Group I and II in separate attempts, which isn't captured in "both groups" rate
A more realistic picture:
ICAI produces approximately 30,000-55,000 new CAs per year (based on our data: 51,002 in tracked period). With lakhs of students in the system, the eventual success rate over multiple years and attempts is estimated at 3-8% of those who start the journey.
The key takeaway: Pass rates show exam difficulty, not your personal odds. With proper preparation and persistence, your chances are much better than raw pass rates suggest.
New Chartered Accountants Qualified
CA Foundation Pass Rates
| Term | Appeared | Passed | Pass % | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | 91,900 | 13,749 | 14.96% | |
| September 2024 | 70,437 | 13,858 | 19.67% | ↑ |
| January 2025 | 110,887 | 23,861 | 21.52% | ↑ |
| September 2025 | 98,827 | 14,609 | 14.78% | ↓ |
| January 2026 | 109,694 | 21,099 | 19.23% | ↑ |
CA Intermediate Pass Rates
| Term | Group I | Group II | Both Groups | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appeared | Pass % | Appeared | Pass % | Appeared | Pass % | |
| May 2024 | 117,764 | 27.15% | 71,145 | 18.28% | 59,956 | 18.42% |
| September 2024 | 69,227 | 15.17% | 50,760 | 15.99% | 23,482 | 5.66% |
| January 2025 | 108,187 | 14.17% | 80,368 | 22.16% | 48,261 | 14.05% |
| September 2025 | 93,074 | 9.43% | 69,768 | 27.14% | 36,398 | 10.06% |
| January 2026 | 105,526 | 13.96% | 69,477 | 15.54% | 41,798 | 9.39% |
Both Groups Pass Rate by Term
Group I vs Group II Comparison (Latest: January 2026)
CA Final Pass Rates
| Term | Group I | Group II | Both Groups | New CAs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appeared | Pass % | Appeared | Pass % | Appeared | Pass % | Qualified | |
| May 2024 | 74,887 | 27.35% | 58,891 | 36.35% | 35,819 | 19.88% | 20,446 |
| November 2024 | 66,987 | 16.8% | 49,459 | 21.36% | 30,763 | 13.44% | 11,500 |
| September 2025 | 51,955 | 24.66% | 32,273 | 25.26% | 16,800 | 16.23% | 11,466 |
| January 2026 | 53,652 | 21.03% | 38,169 | 9.76% | 22,293 | 10.97% | 7,590 |
Both Groups Pass Rate by Term
Group I vs Group II Comparison (Latest: January 2026)
Group II has -11.3 percentage points higher pass rate
May vs November: Which Attempt is Easier?
May 2024 CA Final pass rate was 6.4% higher than November 2024
Why Pass Rates Matter for Your Preparation
Understanding the Competition
With pass rates ranging from 5% to 36%, CA exams are among India's toughest professional exams. Knowing these statistics helps set realistic expectations and plan your preparation accordingly.
Choosing Your Attempt Wisely
May attempts consistently show higher pass rates than November/September. If you have flexibility, consider timing your attempt strategically.
Group-wise Strategy
Group II in Finals has higher pass rates. Some students prefer to clear Group II first for confidence, then focus entirely on Group I.
Practice is Key
Students who practice with past papers and MTPs consistently perform better. Our collection of 300+ papers helps you prepare effectively.
Beat the Odds with Practice
Access 300+ past papers with suggested answers to improve your chances.
Source: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) - Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part III Section 4.
Latest data: CA Final January 2026 | CA Inter & Foundation January 2026
Last updated: 2026-04-07