16 Oct

ICAI Membership Fees 2026: Registration, Annual Renewal and COP Charges

Becoming a Chartered Accountant is a major milestone, but passing the CA Final examination is not the final step in the membership process. Eligible candidates must complete the applicable formalities with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to obtain membership and use the relevant professional designation.

One question that often comes up at this stage is: How much are the ICAI membership fees, and what additional charges should a newly qualified CA expect?

The answer depends on whether you are applying for membership for the first time, renewing your existing membership, applying for a Certificate of Practice (COP), or upgrading from Associate membership to Fellow membership.

These fees should not be confused with CA course registration or examination fees. Membership charges apply to the professional membership process and its ongoing requirements.

The amounts below are based on ICAI’s official Member Services FAQ, last updated on 26 May 2026. Always confirm the applicable amount on the ICAI Self-Service Portal before making a payment, as official fee rules and procedures may change.

What Are ICAI Membership Fees?

ICAI membership fees are charges associated with becoming and remaining a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

Once a candidate fulfils the applicable eligibility requirements, they can apply for membership through the prescribed process. After admission, members must also comply with the Institute’s annual renewal requirements.

The amount payable depends on the type of application and the member’s circumstances.

For example, a newly qualified CA applying for Associate membership will follow a different fee process from an existing Associate member renewing their membership for another year.

Similarly, a member who wants to practise as a Chartered Accountant must consider the applicable Certificate of Practice requirements and fees.

Understanding these differences helps you identify the correct amount instead of relying on a single figure found online.

ICAI Membership Application Fees for Newly Qualified CAs

After completing the required examinations and other applicable eligibility conditions, a candidate can apply for Associate membership using Form 2.

According to ICAI’s Member Services FAQ, the current total application fee is:

Application Category	Fee
Form 2 application without COP	₹4,130
Form 2 application with COP	₹7,670
Discount when opting for the e-journal	₹590

The e-journal discount is subject to the applicable ICAI conditions. Confirm the final payable amount shown on the Self-Service Portal before completing the transaction.

These figures relate to the initial Form 2 membership application, not the annual renewal fee payable in subsequent years.

Who can apply for ICAI membership?

ICAI’s Member Services FAQ identifies requirements including passing both groups of the CA Final examination, completing the applicable articleship training, completing AICITSS and satisfying the relevant online test requirements.

Your eligibility and the documents required may depend on the applicable scheme and your individual records.

Before applying, check that your examination results, practical training details and other required information have been updated correctly in the ICAI Self-Service Portal.

How to apply for membership

The general process is as follows:

1. Log in to the ICAI Self-Service Portal using your student credentials.
2. Open the Fresh Membership Enrollment section in the Student Module.
3. Select Form 2, provided you meet the applicable eligibility conditions.
4. Review your personal details, examination records and training information.
5. Complete any outstanding profile updates or documentation requirements.
6. Pay the applicable fee and submit the application.
7. Track the application status through the portal.

ICAI states in its Member Services FAQ that a complete Form 2 application normally takes around two to three days to process. Processing may take longer if information is incomplete or requires clarification.

Official portal: https://eservices.icai.org/

ICAI Annual Membership Fees 2026

After becoming a member, you must keep track of the annual membership renewal fee.

The annual amount depends on whether you hold Associate membership (ACA) or Fellow membership (FCA), whether you hold a Certificate of Practice and, in certain cases, your age.

The following table presents the annual fee structure published in ICAI’s Member Services FAQ updated on 26 May 2026.

Annual membership fees for members below 60 years

Membership Category	Membership Fee	GST	Total Annual Fee
Associate member without COP	₹1,500	₹270	₹1,770
Fellow member without COP	₹3,000	₹540	₹3,540
Associate member with COP	₹1,500 + ₹3,000 COP fee	₹810	₹5,310
Fellow member with COP	₹3,000 + ₹4,000 COP fee	₹1,260	₹8,260

The totals include GST at 18%, as shown in ICAI’s published fee schedule.

Annual membership fees for members aged 60 years or above

For members who are at least 60 years old as of 1 April and do not hold a COP, the published fee structure is different.

Membership Category	Membership Fee	GST	Total Annual Fee
Associate member without COP	₹1,100	₹198	₹1,298
Fellow member without COP	₹2,300	₹414	₹2,714

Members holding a COP must pay the applicable membership and COP fees shown in the COP fee category, rather than using the reduced non-COP amounts.

These age-related concessions should not be assumed to apply to every type of membership or application. Verify your category and eligibility before making payment.

What Is the Difference Between ACA and FCA Membership Fees?

ICAI membership is commonly discussed in two categories: Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) and Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA).

Associate membership is generally the initial membership category for eligible candidates admitted to the Institute.

Fellow membership is a higher membership category available to eligible existing members who satisfy the applicable requirements.

Associate membership (ACA)

ACA is the membership category most newly qualified Chartered Accountants initially apply for.

Once admitted, an Associate member must pay the applicable annual membership fee to maintain their membership.

Members who want to practise must also consider the requirements and charges relating to a Certificate of Practice.

Fellow membership (FCA)

FCA membership is not granted automatically after passing the CA Final examination.

ICAI’s Member Services FAQ states that an active Associate member who has completed the required period of continuous practice or employment, or a combination of both, may be eligible for Fellow membership, subject to the applicable conditions.

The FAQ identifies a minimum of five years of continuous membership and qualifying professional experience as part of the eligibility requirements.

Eligible members apply through Form 3.

ACA vs FCA: Annual fee comparison

Particulars	ACA Without COP	FCA Without COP
Annual fee before GST, for members below 60	₹1,500	₹3,000
GST at 18%	₹270	₹540
Total annual renewal fee	₹1,770	₹3,540

If you hold a COP, the applicable annual charges are higher because the COP fee is added to the membership fee.

The distinction is important when comparing the cost of maintaining membership with the cost of applying for a different membership category.

ICAI Certificate of Practice (COP) Fees

A Certificate of Practice is relevant to members who wish to undertake professional practice in accordance with ICAI’s regulations.

Membership and COP are related, but they are not the same thing. Being a member does not automatically mean that you hold a Certificate of Practice.

ICAI’s Member Services FAQ specifies Form 6 for applying for a COP.

COP application fee

Member Category	Form 6 Application Fee
Associate member	₹3,540
Fellow member	₹4,720

These are the application charges stated in the official Member Services FAQ. The portal should be checked for the final payable amount and any applicable conditions.

Annual COP fee

The annual COP fee is separate from the annual membership fee.

COP Category	Annual COP Fee Before GST
Associate member	₹3,000
Fellow member	₹4,000

For members below 60 years, the published annual totals including membership, COP and GST are ₹5,310 for an Associate member and ₹8,260 for a Fellow member.

Should every CA apply for COP?

No. The decision depends on your professional plans and the nature of the work you intend to undertake.

A CA working in industry may not need a COP merely to remain an ICAI member. A member intending to undertake professional practice must examine the applicable COP requirements and eligibility conditions.

ICAI also sets restrictions relating to certain other business or employment activities. Before applying, review the rules relevant to your circumstances.

Official information is available through the ICAI Member Services FAQ.

ICAI Membership Fee Payment Deadline

Annual membership and COP fees require attention every year.

ICAI’s published membership guidance identifies 1 April as the date on which the annual fee becomes due and 30 September as the regular payment deadline.

Members should therefore avoid waiting until the final days of September to check their payment status.

A simple annual reminder can help you avoid missing the renewal deadline.

What happens if you do not pay on time?

Failure to pay the applicable annual fee can have serious consequences.

ICAI’s membership guidance states that non-payment within the prescribed period can result in removal of a member’s name from the Register of Members and cancellation of the COP, where applicable.

The ability to use the Chartered Accountant designation and exercise professional practice rights may also be affected.

If your fee is overdue, do not assume that paying only the current year’s amount will resolve every issue. Check the requirements for restoration, including any outstanding annual fees and applicable restoration charges.

The exact procedure depends on your circumstances and the current rules.

Important: Always verify the current year’s deadline and any extension announced by ICAI. Do not rely on a previous year’s extension as proof that the same deadline applies this year.

How to Pay ICAI Membership Fees Online

ICAI provides an online payment facility through its Self-Service Portal.

Online payment allows members to review the relevant fee category and complete their renewal without relying solely on physical payment methods.

Step-by-step payment process

Step 1: Visit the official portal.

Open https://eservices.icai.org/ and log in using your member credentials.

Step 2: Open the relevant member services.

Navigate to the membership or COP fee payment option applicable to your account.

Step 3: Verify your details.

Check your membership category, COP status, age-related category where applicable and the fee displayed.

Step 4: Review the amount payable.

Confirm the membership fee, COP fee, GST and any applicable adjustment or discount.

Step 5: Complete the transaction.

Use the available payment method displayed on the official portal.

Step 6: Save the payment confirmation.

Download or retain the payment receipt and verify that the transaction has been reflected in your membership account.

What if the payment fails?

If your bank account has been debited but the portal does not show a successful payment, avoid making repeated payments immediately.

Check your transaction status, retain the transaction reference and follow the official portal’s support procedure.

If the payment remains unresolved, raise a support request through the appropriate ICAI channel.

Can You Pay ICAI Membership Fees in Advance?

Yes. ICAI’s Member Services FAQ states that members can pay annual membership and COP fees in advance for a maximum period of ten years, described as one current year plus nine additional years.

This option may be useful for members who prefer to manage multiple years of renewal together.

However, before making an advance payment, consider whether your membership category or COP status may change during the period.

For example, a member who later applies for a different membership category should verify how the change affects their fee obligations.

Check the amount and the permitted advance-payment period displayed on the official portal before proceeding.

Advance payment is optional. If you prefer annual renewal, you can continue to pay according to the applicable yearly schedule.

Other Charges and Optional Contributions

In addition to membership and COP fees, the portal may display other charges depending on the application you are making.

Examples include charges relating to restoration of membership, admission to Fellow membership and other prescribed services.

Optional contributions to professional welfare funds or memorial funds should be distinguished from compulsory membership renewal charges.

For instance, contributions to the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Fund (CABF) and other funds may be offered as optional items under the relevant scheme.

Do not assume that every item shown alongside your renewal is compulsory. Read the description carefully and confirm the applicable rules.

If an amount is unclear, consult the official ICAI guidance or raise a support request before completing the payment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Paying ICAI Membership Fees

A few simple checks can help you avoid confusion and unnecessary delays.

Confusing registration fees with annual fees: The initial Form 2 application charge is different from the annual renewal amount.

Ignoring COP charges: Members who hold a COP must account for the applicable COP fee in addition to membership charges.

Using outdated fee tables: Older articles may display figures from previous years. Check the latest official guidance before publishing or paying.

Missing the deadline: Keep a reminder well before 30 September and verify any official extension.

Assuming FCA membership is automatic: Fellow membership requires satisfaction of the applicable eligibility conditions and the prescribed application process.

Ignoring payment confirmation: Retain the receipt and verify that the transaction appears in your account.

Relying on unofficial payment links: Use the official ICAI website and Self-Service Portal to reduce the risk of fraudulent or incorrect payments.

Final Checklist Before Paying ICAI Membership Fees

Before submitting a payment, confirm the following:

• Your membership category is correct.
• You know whether you hold a COP.
• Any age-related fee category has been applied correctly.
• The membership fee and COP fee are shown separately where relevant.
• GST and applicable discounts are reflected accurately.
• The payment is being made through the official ICAI portal.
• You have checked the current deadline.
• You have saved your transaction receipt.
• You have reviewed any pending application or profile updates.

These checks are particularly useful for newly qualified CAs applying for membership for the first time, as well as existing members completing their annual renewal.

Conclusion

Understanding ICAI membership fees becomes much easier when you separate the initial membership application, annual renewal and Certificate of Practice charges.

For newly qualified CAs, Form 2 is the relevant membership application, subject to eligibility and the prescribed process. Existing members should check their annual renewal category, while those intending to practise should also understand the COP requirements.

The published annual fee for members below 60 years without a COP is ₹1,770 for an Associate member and ₹3,540 for a Fellow member, including GST. For members holding a COP, the corresponding annual totals are ₹5,310 and ₹8,260.

These amounts are based on ICAI’s Member Services FAQ updated on 26 May 2026. Always verify the final payable amount and applicable rules on the official portal before making a payment.

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Visit CA Mentoring Program to explore the available resources and continue building your CA journey with a clear plan.