For years, CA Foundation students received no scholarship support at all from ICAI — only Intermediate and Final-level students were covered, and applications went through a slow offline postal process to ICAI Bhawan, New Delhi.
That changed completely from January 1, 2026. ICAI revised its entire scholarship scheme — Foundation students are now covered for the first time, monthly amounts increased substantially, the income eligibility limit was raised, and the entire application process moved online.
ICAI Scholarship — administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, providing monthly financial support to CA students at Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels (including during Articleship), based on merit or financial need.
Apply via: Self Service Portal (SSP) — eservices.icai.org
Quick Answer (2026 Revised Scheme): Foundation: ₹1,500/month for 4 months (new — introduced Jan 2026) Intermediate: ₹2,500/month for up to 14 months Final: ₹2,500/month for up to 24 months Income limit (need-based): Parents’/guardian’s annual income below ₹5 lakh (raised from ₹3 lakh) Apply: eservices.icai.org → Login → Student Functions → Scholarship Application Form No fixed deadline — applications accepted year-round; processed in batches
⭐ 2026 Revised Scheme — What Changed
Effective January 1, 2026, ICAI implemented a major revision to its scholarship scheme:
| Change | Before | Now (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation coverage | Not covered | ✅ ₹1,500/month for 4 months |
| Intermediate amount | Lower | ₹2,500/month, up to 14 months |
| Final amount | Lower | ₹2,500/month, up to 24 months |
| Income limit | ₹3 lakh | ₹5 lakh |
| Existing scholarship holders | — | Also receive the enhanced revised amount |
ICAI reportedly disburses scholarships to more than 40,000 students annually, totaling over ₹40 crore — making it one of the largest student support schemes among professional bodies in India.
Two Types of Scholarships
| Type | Basis | Income Proof Needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Need-based | Parents’/guardian’s income below ₹5 lakh | ✅ Required |
| Merit-based | CA Intermediate Rank 1-10 holders, during Articleship | ❌ Not required |
Scholarships are not provided after passing CA Final — coverage ends at the Final/Articleship stage.
Eligibility
| Level | Condition |
|---|---|
| Foundation | Registered for CA Foundation; eligible from when exam eligibility begins (typically after Class 12) |
| Intermediate | Registered for CA Intermediate; need-based or merit-based (Rank 1-10) |
| Final / Articleship | Registered for CA Final and undergoing Articleship; need-based or merit-based |
| Non-Articleship students | Application must be verified by a practising Chartered Accountant |
| Articleship students | Application must be approved by their Principal |
How to Apply — Step by Step
Step 1: Log in to the Self Service Portal (SSP) at eservices.icai.org
Step 2: Navigate to “Student Functions” → Select the Scholarship Application Form
Step 3: Choose scholarship type — Need-based or Merit-based
Step 4: Fill in personal and course details
Step 5: Upload required documents (see below)
Step 6: Submit application
Applications are accepted online only — the earlier offline postal process to ICAI Bhawan is no longer applicable under the current system. No single fixed last date — the application window remains open year-round; ICAI processes applications in batches, typically completing review within 7-10 days for merit-based applications after CA Inter results.
Documents Required
| Document | Required For |
|---|---|
| Student’s Bank Account Details | All applicants — scholarship credited directly |
| Cancelled Cheque (digital image) | All applicants — “CANCELLED” written across, crossed |
| Parents’ Income Proof | Need-based applicants only (not required for Rank 1-10 merit-based) |
| CA Membership Number | Required for certain Foundation-level applications |
| Principal’s Approval | Articleship students |
| Practising CA Recommendation | Non-Articleship students |
Payment — How and When
Approved scholarships are disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly to the student’s bank account. Typical processing: funds remitted within 15 days of approval. Keep your bank details updated and accurate on the SSP portal — incorrect account details are a common reason for payment delay.
Common Problems + Fix
“Application rejected — income proof issue”: Confirm your parents’/guardian’s annual income is below ₹5 lakh (the revised 2026 limit) and that your income certificate is current and properly attested.
“Not sure if I qualify as merit-based or need-based”: Merit-based applies only to CA Inter Rank 1-10 holders during Articleship — no income proof needed. All other eligible applicants should apply under need-based, with income proof.
“Application stuck — no Principal approval”: Articleship students need their Principal’s approval within the SSP system before the application can proceed. Follow up directly with your Principal if delayed.
“Confused about old offline process mentioned elsewhere online”: The offline postal application to ICAI Bhawan is outdated information. As of the 2026 revision, all applications go through the SSP portal online only.
“Scholarship amount seems lower than expected”: Confirm whether you’re already receiving the older pre-2026 amount — existing scholarship holders are also entitled to the revised, higher 2026 amounts; raise this with ICAI if not reflected.
FAQ
What is the ICAI Scholarship 2026 amount for Foundation students? ₹1,500 per month for 4 months — newly introduced from January 1, 2026.
What is the income limit for need-based ICAI scholarship? Parents’/guardian’s annual income must be below ₹5 lakh (raised from the earlier ₹3 lakh limit).
Is there a fixed last date for ICAI scholarship application? No — applications are accepted online year-round via the SSP portal, processed in batches.
Can Intermediate Rank 1-10 holders apply without income proof? Yes — merit-based scholarships for top rank holders during Articleship don’t require income documentation.
Where do I apply for ICAI scholarship in 2026? Online only, through the Self Service Portal (SSP) at eservices.icai.org — the older offline postal process is no longer the current method.
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| SSP Portal (Apply) | eservices.icai.org |
| ICAI Official Site | icai.org |
The revised scheme now reaches Foundation students who previously received nothing — a meaningful shift for those starting the CA journey without financial cushioning.
CA students at any level — check your eligibility under the revised 2026 scheme on the SSP portal. The income limit has been raised, Foundation is now covered, and amounts have increased significantly compared to previous years.
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