Application guidelines for Foundation & Intermediate – May 2026

Application Guidelines for Foundation & Intermediate – ICAI May 2026 Exams

Candidates intending to appear for the Foundation or Intermediate examinations scheduled for May 2026 are advised to verify their eligibility status on the Self Service Portal (SSP) before submitting the examination form. Ensuring that all records are updated will help avoid last-minute issues.

Pre-Application Checklist

1. SSP Login Credentials

Candidates must have valid login credentials for the Self Service Portal.
If not registered, create an account at: https://eservices.icai.org/

2. Valid Course Registration

Ensure that your course registration is active. If registration has expired, complete the required conversion process through SSP.

Course Conversion (If Applicable)

Candidates whose dashboard does not display the following course codes must convert to the revised scheme before applying. No fee is payable for conversion.

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

Steps for Conversion:
Login to SSP → Student Functions → Student Module → Course Registration → Apply for Conversion (Old to New Course)

3. Photograph and Signature Update

Candidates must ensure that their latest photograph and signature are available on SSP and meet the prescribed standards. These will appear on the mark sheet. If required, upload or update them before submitting the exam form.

4. Group Registration (Intermediate Only)

Intermediate candidates should confirm that they are registered for the specific group(s) they intend to appear for. Group-wise registration details can be viewed in the SSP dashboard.

Helpdesk Information

For examination form-related queries:

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

For SSP portal issues or correction requests:

• Raise a ticket through SSP, or
• Email: hossp@icai.in / ssp.helpdesk@icai.in

Course-wise Eligibility Conditions – May 2026

Candidates must ensure their SSP records reflect compliance with the following requirements.

Foundation Course Eligibility

A candidate must:

1. Be registered in the Foundation Course on or before 1 January 2026.
2. If earlier registered under CPT, ensure conversion to the Foundation Course before applying.
3. Have either:
   • Appeared in the Class 12 examination conducted by a recognized Board (Admit Card to be uploaded on SSP by April 2026), or
   • Passed Class 12 from a recognized Board (Mark Sheet to be uploaded on SSP).

Intermediate Course Eligibility

Candidates must have completed the prescribed 8 months of study as on 1 May 2026.
Accordingly, registration must have been completed on or before 1 September 2025.

Photograph Specifications

• Colour or black & white photo with at least 80% of the face visible (including ears), without mask.
• White background with clear contrast.
• No caps or goggles (religious headwear permitted if the face is fully visible).
• Spectacles are allowed.
• Neutral facial expression, facing the camera directly.
• Avoid red-eye effect.
• Selfies are not permitted.
• File format: JPG/JPEG
• File size: 20–50 KB
• Properly cropped without extra white space.
• Dimensions: 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm

Signature Specifications

• Sign on white paper using black ink.
• File format: JPG/JPEG
• File size: 10–20 KB
• Clearly visible and properly cropped.
• Dimensions: 6 cm × 2 cm

Announcement

Read More Updates on ICAI