CMA course fees: Foundation, Intermediate and Final — step-by-step guide

Planning your CMA qualification budget requires understanding the course fees, examination charges and other expenses for each level.

• The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) qualification develops your knowledge of cost accounting, management accounting, financial management and business decision-making.
• ICMAI’s published course fees total Rs. 54,100 across Foundation, Intermediate and Final.
• Examination fees are charged separately. Based on ICMAI’s June 2026 examination notices, the fees for Indian examination centres are Rs. 1,500 for Foundation, Rs. 2,800 for both Intermediate groups and Rs. 3,200 for both Final groups.
• Based on these published figures, the combined course and examination fees total Rs. 61,600, excluding additional expenses and any applicable changes.
• ICMAI provides instalment options for Intermediate and Final course fees, subject to its prescribed conditions and deadlines.
• Scholarships and fee-waiver schemes may be available to eligible students. Check the current ICMAI criteria before including any concession in your budget.

Explore a CA loan from Bajaj Finance to help fund eligible costs related to your professional education, subject to eligibility criteria and applicable terms and conditions. Check your eligibility for a CA loan with Bajaj Finance and explore financing options suited to your requirements.

ICMAI’s published course fees for Indian students total Rs. 54,100 across all three levels. Examination fees are separate, so your overall cost depends on the examination group you choose and any additional services you use.

Fee reference: ICMAI’s published course fee structure and examination notices for the June 2026 Foundation examination and June 2026 Intermediate and Final examinations. These figures are based on the published schedules and may change. Check the latest ICMAI notification before paying.

The course fee covers the prescribed course-related provisions under ICMAI’s fee structure. Your actual expenditure may be higher if you enrol in additional private coaching, purchase supplementary study resources, pay late fees or incur travel and accommodation costs.

If you are comparing professional qualifications, you can also explore what is CA and financial management to understand related career paths and subject areas.

The CMA Foundation course is the entry level for eligible students beginning the qualification after Class 12. ICMAI lists a course fee of Rs. 6,000. You must pay the examination fee separately when applying for the examination.

You should also account for any optional private coaching, extra practice material or other study expenses. These costs depend on the provider and the learning format you choose.

Before registering, review the eligibility criteria and admission instructions on the official ICMAI website.

The CMA Intermediate course builds on the foundational concepts and covers more advanced accounting, costing, taxation and management-related subjects. ICMAI lists the course fee at Rs. 23,100. The fee structure provides an instalment option, subject to the Institute’s conditions.

The course fee can be paid in instalments under ICMAI’s prescribed arrangement. Check the current registration instructions and payment deadlines before selecting this option, as you must meet the applicable conditions to become eligible for the examination.

If you are comparing accounting qualifications before choosing your path, read about what is CA. The Chartered Accountancy and CMA qualifications have different curricula and professional focuses, so consider the work you intend to pursue.

he CMA Final course is the last academic level of the qualification. ICMAI lists the course fee at Rs. 25,000. Examination charges are separate and vary according to whether you apply for one group or both groups.

The amount you pay depends on your examination application and the current fee schedule. Check the latest examination notification for the applicable amount, deadlines and any late fee before submitting your application.

Students exploring other accounting qualifications may also encounter terms such as FCA full form and associate chartered accountant (ACA). Review the eligibility and requirements of each qualification separately before deciding which one aligns with your career plans.

Check your eligibility for a CA loan with Bajaj Finance and explore financing options suited to your requirements.

A graduate pays Rs. 54,100 in CMA course fees and exam fees by joining at Intermediate. A Class 12 student pays Rs. 61,600 by starting at Foundation. The Rs. 7,500 difference equals the full Foundation stage.

For a graduate, direct entry saves Rs. 7,500 in CMA course fees and exam fees, plus one exam term. A Class 12 student gains a full year of grounding in law, accounting and economics before Intermediate. Graduates comparing CMA with chartered accountancy can start with what is CA. Those planning past CA membership can read the FCA full form guide.

Four costs sit outside the CMA fees structure: coaching, extra study material, exam re-attempts and late fees. Private institutes set coaching prices. Together, these 4 costs can exceed the CMA course fees, so budget for them from the start.

Self-study keeps your total spend close to Rs. 61,600, because the CMA course fee includes ICMAI study material. If you choose coaching, collect written quotes from 2 or 3 institutes and compare the total for all 3 levels.

A full CMA path costs Rs. 1,53,100 in this worked example, and coaching costs more than the CMA course fees themselves. Ananya Sharma, 18, passed Class 12 in Jaipur and starts at Foundation in the December 2026 term.

Her budget uses 3 assumptions. She pays Rs. 30,000 per level for coaching, as quoted by her chosen institute. She re-attempts one Intermediate group once. She applies before every deadline, so her late fees are Rs. 0.

Formula: Total cost = ICMAI course fees + exam fees for every attempt + coaching + late fees.

Coaching makes up 59% of Ananya's budget. CMA course fees and exam fees make up the remaining 41%. Swap in your own coaching quote and attempt plan to get your figure.

ICMAI runs 5 financial aid schemes that reduce certified management accountant course fees, listed on its Financial Aid and Scholarship page. Each scheme cuts CMA course fees for a specific group of students.

The Intermediate waiver scheme, notified on 1st November, 2024, covers the Intermediate CMA course fees, and selected students pay only the Rs. 500 registration fee. You qualify with 80% in Class 12, plus 65% in Foundation or 75% in graduation. Your household income must be Rs. 2 lakh per annum or less. ICMAI selects up to 300 students per term, 75 from each of its 4 regions.

A practising chartered accountant can fund CMA course fees with a professional loan. A professional loan is an unsecured loan sanctioned against practice income and credit history. Bajaj Finance offers the CA Loan to practising chartered accountants who hold a Certificate of Practice.

The Rs. 2 lakh minimum is more than 3 times the Rs. 61,600 total of CMA course fees and exam fees. The CA Loan therefore fits a wider practice plan that includes the CMA qualification. Students preparing for CMA fund their CMA course fees through ICMAI scholarships, family savings or an education loan from a bank.

Rohan Mehta, 31, is a practising CA in Indore with an annual income of Rs. 12 lakh and a CIBIL Score of 770. He joins CMA at Intermediate for Rs. 54,100 in CMA course fees and exam fees. He also buys costing software and a workstation for his practice. He borrows Rs. 3 lakh at 15% per annum to cover CMA course fees and the equipment.

Formula: EMI = P × r × (1 + r)^n ÷ ((1 + r)^n - 1). P is the loan amount, Rs. 3,00,000. The monthly rate r is the annual rate divided by 12, so 15% ÷ 12 = 1.25%, or 0.0125. The tenure n is the number of monthly instalments.

The 36-month tenure lowers Rohan's EMI by Rs. 4,146. It also raises his total interest by Rs. 25,282. A longer tenure on CMA course fees means a smaller EMI and higher total interest.

Flexi variants of the CA Loan let you withdraw from your sanctioned limit as needed. You pay interest only on the amount you withdraw. This suits CMA course fees paid in instalments, such as the 2 Intermediate instalments.

Approval moves faster when the name on your PAN card, KYC document and Certificate of Practice match exactly. Penal and bounce charges apply to delayed EMIs, so set up your EMI date after your monthly practice receipts.

The loan amount reaches your bank account within 48 hours of approval*. Check your eligibility for a CA loan with Bajaj Finance and explore financing options suited to your requirements..

You complete CMA registration online on the ICMAI student portal and pay the CMA registration fees in the same session. The portal accepts CMA course fees in full or, for Intermediate and Final, in 2 instalments. The course registration cut-off depends on the exam term you choose.

• Register for the June term by 31st January of the same year.
• Register for the December term by 31st July of the same year.
• December 2026 exam applications closed on 10th October, 2026 for Intermediate and Final, with a late window to 17th October, 2026.
• The Foundation deadline was 14th October, 2026, with a late window to 21st October, 2026.

Follow these 5 steps to register:

1. Open the ICMAI student portal and choose registration for your level.
2. Fill in your personal and academic details.
3. Upload your photograph, signature, age proof and mark sheets.
4. Pay the CMA course fee in full, or pay the first instalment for Intermediate or Final.
5. Save the payment receipt, then submit your exam application before the term's deadline.

Your next step depends on where you stand. Students can open the ICMAI student portal and register for the June 2027 term by 31st January, 2027. Practising chartered accountants can check their CA Loan offer and plan CMA course fees alongside practice spending.