CFA course fees in India changed from February 2026, and many fee pages still quote old numbers. Here is what you actually pay in USD and INR, level by level, GST included, as of July 2026.
Comprehensive Summary
- CFA Exam Fees 2026: Level I and Level II cost USD 1,140 at early registration or USD 1,490 at standard, while Level III costs USD 1,240 early or USD 1,590 standard.
- CFA Enrolment Fee Removed: The one time USD 350 enrolment charge no longer applies to exams from February 2026 onward.
- GST on CFA Fees: Candidates billed from India pay 18% GST on the registration fee at checkout under OIDAR rules.
- Total CFA Programme Cost: Clearing all three levels on the first attempt with early registration works out to roughly USD 3,520 before GST and study material.
- CFA Scholarship Amounts: The Access Scholarship brings the registration fee down to USD 400, and the Student and Professor Scholarships bring it down to USD 600.
- CFA Deferral Policy Change: The USD 449 paid deferral option ends after the February 2027 cycle, leaving only emergency deferrals at a USD 100 fee.
- CFA Coaching Fees in India: Structured coaching for a single level ranges from about INR 20,000 for online batches to INR 1,00,000 or more for premium classroom tracks.
Key Takeaways
- Level I and II now cost USD 1,140 to 1,490 and Level III costs USD 1,240 to 1,590, and 18% GST gets added at checkout for India billed candidates.
- Early registration saves a flat USD 350 per level, and scholarships can push CFA course fees down to USD 400 or 600 before GST.
- Paid deferrals disappear after the February 2027 cycle, so build in a realistic exam date instead of counting on a safety net later.
CFA Fees in India at a Glance
Here is the current registration fee for each level, before and after the 18% GST charged to India billed candidates.
Level
Early Fee (USD)
Standard Fee (USD)
Early Fee (INR, before GST)
Early Fee After GST
Level I
1,140
1,490
₹1,00,300
₹1,18,350
Level II
1,140
1,490
₹1,00,300
₹1,18,350
Level III
1,240
1,590
₹1,09,100
₹1,28,750
INR figures use an illustrative rate of roughly ₹88 per USD, checked in July 2026. Registering early instead of at the standard deadline saves USD 350 at every level, close to ₹36,000 after GST.
Confused about which CFA level fits your background?
Talk to a counselor about eligibility, work experience rules and the right level to start from.
What Changed in the CFA Fee Structure for 2026?
CFA Institute dropped the flat enrolment charge and raised the per level exam fee instead.
Removal of the One Time CFA Enrolment Fee
The separate USD 350 enrolment fee is gone for all exams from February 2026 onward.
Increase in CFA Level I Fees
Level I moved from USD 990/1,290 in 2025 to USD 1,140/1,490 in 2026.
Increase in CFA Level II Fees
Level II follows the same jump, from USD 990/1,290 to USD 1,140/1,490.
Increase in CFA Level III Fees
Level III rose further, to USD 1,240 early and USD 1,590 standard, its own price band for the first time.
What This Means for First Time and Returning Candidates
A 2026 early registrant for Level I still pays about USD 200 more than a 2025 early registrant did. Candidates who already paid the old enrolment fee simply pay the new per level fee going forward, nothing extra.
CFA Exam Fees 2025 vs 2026
This table lines up last year’s fees against the current ones so you can see exactly what moved.
Level | 2025 Early | 2025 Standard | 2026 Early | 2026 Standard |
Level I | $990 | $1,290 | $1,140 | $1,490 |
Level II | $990 | $1,290 | $1,140 | $1,490 |
Level III | $990 | $1,290 | $1,240 | $1,590 |
Add all three levels at standard rates with the old enrolment fee and 2025 totalled about USD 4,220. The 2026 standard total is USD 4,570, roughly USD 350 higher, so the enrolment fee removal does not fully offset the increase.
Components of CFA Fees in India
Beyond the exam fee itself, this is everything that can show up on your total CFA bill.
Component | What It Typically Costs |
Exam registration fee | USD 1,140 to 1,590 per level |
GST for India billed candidates | 18% on the registration fee |
Forex and bank charges | 1% to 3% of the transaction |
Study material (optional) | ₹5,000 to ₹40,000 |
Approved calculator | ₹6,500 to ₹12,000, one time |
Coaching (optional) | ₹20,000 to ₹1,20,000 per level |
Rescheduling | USD 250 |
Paid deferral, 2026 only | USD 449 |
CFA Level Wise Fees in India
The CFA level-wise fees in India vary depending on the exam level, registration deadline (early or standard), applicable taxes, and currency exchange rates.
While the CFA Institute charges exam fees in USD, Indian candidates must also account for 18% GST, forex conversion charges, and any optional coaching or study material costs.
Understanding the fee structure for CFA Level I, Level II, and Level III helps you estimate the total investment required and plan your budget effectively before registering for the exam.
CFA Level I Early and Standard Fees
USD 1,140 early or USD 1,490 standard, about ₹1,00,300 before GST and ₹1,18,350 after GST at early rates.
CFA Level II Early and Standard Fees
Same as Level I: USD 1,140 early, USD 1,490 standard, roughly ₹1,18,350 after GST.
CFA Level III Early and Standard Fees
USD 1,240 early or USD 1,590 standard, about ₹1,09,100 before GST and ₹1,28,750 after GST at early rates.
Other Level Wise Expenses
Budget separately for a calculator once, and for study material or coaching at each level you register for.
Not sure whether Level III prep needs a different approach? Get the syllabus breakdown for the essay format before you plan your study hours. [Get CFA Syllabus]
Early vs Standard CFA Registration Fees
Every level, including Level III, carries the same USD 350 gap between early and standard pricing. Early windows open as soon as the prior cycle closes; standard deadlines fall roughly three months before the exam, so confirm exact dates in CFA Institute’s dates and fees tool. Register early the moment you are certain of your level and window, since the saving does not depend on how far ahead you pay.
GST on CFA Exam Fees in India
Indian candidates must pay 18% GST on CFA exam registration fees, in addition to the base exam fee. The GST amount is calculated on the applicable fee at the time of registration, here are all the details:
GST Rules and Impact
CFA Institute collects 18% GST from India billed candidates at checkout under OIDAR rules, regardless of payment method. At early rates, Level I and II after GST come to about ₹1,18,350 and Level III to about ₹1,28,750. Across all three levels, GST alone adds close to ₹56,000 to the total spend.
Can Candidates Claim GST Credit or a Refund?
Only candidates with a valid business GST registration, such as employer sponsored ones, can claim a refund through CFA Institute’s India GST team; self funded individuals generally cannot.
Total CFA Course Fees for All Three Levels
These are the three totals worth knowing before you plan a budget.
Scenario | Total USD | Before GST (INR) | After GST (INR) |
All three levels, early registration | 3,520 | ₹3,09,760 | ₹3,65,500 |
All three levels, standard registration | 4,570 | ₹4,02,160 | ₹4,74,500 |
Two early, one standard (typical mix) | ~4,020 to 4,070 | ~₹3.5 to 3.6 lakh | ~₹4.2 to 4.3 lakh |
Exam fees alone, after GST, land between roughly ₹3.65 lakh and ₹4.75 lakh. Add a calculator, study material and coaching, and the realistic all in cost for the full CFA journey falls between ₹4.5 lakh and ₹8 lakh.
CFA Cost in India: Low, Mid and Premium Budget Scenarios
You can refer to this table to match your preparation style to a realistic spend.
Budget | Preparation Approach | Extra Spend (3 levels) | Realistic All In Cost |
Low | Self study on official material only | ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 | ₹4.0 to 4.2 lakh |
Mid | Standard coaching plus some third party notes | ₹1.5 to 2.5 lakh | ₹5.5 to 6.5 lakh |
Premium | Full coaching bundle, printed books, extra mocks | ₹3 to 4.5 lakh | ₹7 to 8.5 lakh |
Match the budget to your study time, not your income; disciplined hours on a low budget often beat rushed prep on a premium one.
Not sure whether self study or coaching suits your schedule?
Know the class structure, mentor access and mock test count before you decide.
Hidden CFA Costs You Should Budget For
These extras rarely show up in a basic fee table but do show up on your card statement.
Hidden Cost | Typical Range |
Forex markup | 1% to 3% of the transaction |
Credit card or bank charges | ₹500 to ₹2,000 per payment |
Printed curriculum plus shipping | ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 |
Third party study material | ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 |
Extra mock exams and question banks | ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 |
Travel and stay on exam day | ₹2,000 to ₹15,000 |
Rescheduling | USD 250 |
Retake registration | Full level fee again |
A failed level means paying the full fee again, with no discount for repeat attempts.
What Is Included in the CFA Exam Registration Fee?
The registration fee covers more than just an exam seat, but not everything a candidate needs.
What Is Included
Registration covers a year of access to the CFA Learning Ecosystem, the digital curriculum, practice questions, two official mock exams and the required Practical Skills Modules.
What Is Not Included
Printed books, third party notes, coaching, extra mock exams and the approved calculator are all separate purchases.
CFA Study Material Costs in India
Official digital material is free with registration. Printed curriculum with India shipping runs ₹8,000 to ₹15,000, third party notes and question banks cost ₹5,000 to ₹25,000, and video lecture packages run ₹10,000 to ₹40,000 per level. Many candidates still pass using only official material and consistent study hours.
CFA Financial Calculator Cost in India
Only two calculator models are approved for the exam, and the price gap between them is small.
TI BA II Plus and HP 12C Cost
The BA II Plus generally sells for ₹6,500 to ₹8,500, the HP 12C for ₹9,000 to ₹12,000. It is a one time purchase that carries you through all three levels, and the BA II Plus is more common in India.
CFA Coaching Fees in India
Coaching Fee Ranges
Online batches run ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 per level, classroom coaching in metros runs ₹40,000 to ₹1,20,000, and self paced tracks sit around ₹15,000 to ₹35,000.
What Affects the Price?
Faculty experience, city, batch size and whether mocks and mentoring are bundled all move the fee up or down.
Amquest Education CFA Coaching Fees
Level I batches start from around ₹30,000, with bundled pricing for candidates enrolling across multiple levels.
Curious what a structured CFA coaching plan actually covers?
Get the detailed syllabus, batch timings and faculty profile for your level.
CFA Rescheduling, Deferral and Refund Fees
Plans change, and CFA Institute charges differently depending on how you handle it.
Rescheduling vs Deferral
Rescheduling a date or centre within the same window costs USD 250. A deferral moves your registration to a future window entirely.
Paid Deferral Rules for 2026 and Beyond
Candidates registered for 2026 exams can still buy a paid deferral for USD 449, up to 24 hours before the exam, once per registration. That option is removed from the February 2027 cycle onward, so skipping an exam without an emergency deferral means forfeiting the fee.
Emergency Deferral Fee
Qualifying hardship, such as a life threatening illness or mandatory military deployment, can request an emergency deferral for USD 100.
CFA Exam Refund Policy
Initial registrations are fully refundable within 14 days of payment; after that, the fee is non refundable, and missing the exam without a deferral means registering again at the going rate.
How Much Does a CFA Retake Cost?
A retake means paying the full registration fee again, USD 1,140 to 1,590 depending on level, plus GST. One failed level typically adds ₹1.2 to ₹1.7 lakh to your total budget once repeat coaching is included.
How to Pay CFA Exam Fees From India
Most India issued Visa and Mastercard cards work at checkout, and Apple Pay or Google Pay work where the card supports international payments, subject to availability. Wire transfer and invoice payment suit employer sponsored candidates, though some options are restricted to specific countries. Your card issuer adds its own margin on top of the base rate, and the receipt sits in your candidate account right after payment.
Step by Step Process to Pay CFA Exam Fees
- Create your CFA Institute account with your basic details.
- Select your eligible CFA level.
- Choose your exam window.
- Complete the registration form.
- Select your payment method.
- Complete the payment, GST included if billed from India.
- Schedule your Prometric exam appointment.
- Save your payment receipt and confirmation.
CFA Scholarship Options to Reduce Exam Fees
CFA Institute currently runs three scholarship categories, current as of July 2026.
Access, Student and Professor Scholarships
The Access Scholarship, for demonstrated financial need, brings the fee to USD 400. Student and Professor Scholarships, for university students and qualifying faculty, bring it to USD 600.
Applying, Taxes and Rejections
Apply and get approval before you register, since it changes the checkout fee, and check the scholarship page early for your window’s deadline. GST still applies to the reduced fee, and a rejected application just leaves you at the regular rate.
Want help figuring out if you qualify for a scholarship?
Talk to a counselor about eligibility documents and application timing.
How to Reduce CFA Course Fees in India
- Register during the early window to save USD 350 per level.
- Apply for a scholarship before registering.
- Rely on official digital study resources first.
- Skip the printed curriculum unless you truly need it.
- Compare online coaching against classroom coaching.
- Avoid rescheduling and deferral fees by committing to a realistic window.
- Prepare properly, since a retake costs more than any saving above.
- Ask your employer about CFA sponsorship or reimbursement.
- Watch the exchange rate before you pay.
Can You Pay CFA Fees in Instalments?
CFA Institute has no built in instalment plan; the full fee is due at registration. Some Indian banks let you convert the card charge into EMIs afterward, employer sponsored candidates may get a reimbursement schedule instead, and NBFC course financing is another route. Compare interest rate and prepayment terms before choosing financing over saving up.
CFA Fees vs Other Finance Qualifications
Here is how CFA compares with other common finance credentials in India, on cost and time.
Qualification | Approx All In Cost (India) | Typical Duration |
CFA | ₹4 to 8 lakh | 1.5 to 4 years |
FRM | ₹1.5 to 2.5 lakh | 6 to 12 months |
CA | ₹2 to 3 lakh, excluding coaching | 3 to 5 years |
ACCA | ₹3 to 4.5 lakh | 2 to 3 years |
US CMA | ₹2.5 to 3.5 lakh | 1 to 2 years |
MBA Finance | ₹5 to 25 lakh or more | 2 years |
FRM costs less but stays narrow to risk management. CA is cheaper on paper but takes far longer. ACCA leans toward accounting, and US CMA suits management accounting. An MBA usually costs several times more. Pick based on the role you want, since CFA targets investment research and portfolio work specifically.
Is CFA Worth the Investment in India?
CFA tends to pay off for equity research, portfolio management and asset management roles. For accounting, audit or general management, another qualification may serve better for similar spend. Your experience, chosen role and how quickly you clear all three levels shape the outcome. Treat the ₹4 to 8 lakh spend as a multi year investment tied to a career path, not a guaranteed short term payoff, since one cleared level does not promise a raise on its own.
Why Choose Amquest Education for CFA Preparation?
Amquest Education runs level wise CFA batches with mentor access, aligned study material and mock exams built into the fee, so you are not left assembling resources on your own. Coaching for Level I starts from around ₹30,000, with combined pricing for candidates enrolling across multiple levels.
Ready to see how a CFA plan fits your schedule?
Schedule a short demo class before you commit to a batch.
Conclusion
CFA course fees in India stopped being a single number the moment GST, forex charges and the 2026 fee revision entered the picture. The honest total for most candidates sits between ₹4.5 lakh and ₹8 lakh across all three levels once coaching and study material are counted, not the lower figure older blogs still quote. Plan around early registration windows, check scholarship eligibility before you pay, and treat a retake as the biggest avoidable budget risk.
If you want help mapping this budget against your own timeline and target level, Amquest Education’s CFA counselors can walk you through the exact fee, coaching and scholarship path that fits you, before your registration deadline closes.
FAQs
What Is the CFA Level I Fee in India in 2026?
USD 1,140 early or USD 1,490 standard, plus 18% GST.
What Is the CFA Level II Fee in India in 2026?
Same as Level I: USD 1,140 early or USD 1,490 standard, plus GST.
What Is the CFA Level III Fee in India in 2026?
USD 1,240 early or USD 1,590 standard, plus GST.
What Is the Total CFA Course Fee in India?
₹3.65 to 4.75 lakh in exam fees after GST, or ₹4.5 to 8 lakh all in with coaching.
Are CFA Fees Higher in 2026?
Standard fees are higher than 2025 at every level.
Has the CFA Enrolment Fee Been Removed?
Yes, eliminated for exams from February 2026 onward.
Is GST Charged on CFA Exam Fees in India?
Yes, 18%, applied automatically at checkout.
How Much Are CFA Fees After GST?
Roughly ₹1,18,350 for Level I and II early registration.
Does the CFA Exam Fee Include Study Material?
The digital curriculum, practice questions and two official mocks.
Is the Printed CFA Curriculum Included?
No, that is a separate paid add on.
How Much Does a CFA Calculator Cost?
₹6,500 to ₹8,500 for the BA II Plus, ₹9,000 to ₹12,000 for the HP 12C.
How Much Do CFA Coaching Classes Cost?
₹20,000 for online batches up to over ₹1,20,000 for premium classroom tracks.
How Much Can Early Registration Save?
A flat USD 350 at every level.
Can I Pay CFA Exam Fees in Instalments?
Not directly, though some banks offer card EMI conversion.
Are CFA Exam Fees Refundable?
Only within 14 days of an initial registration payment.
What Is the CFA Rescheduling Fee?
USD 250 within the same exam window.
What Is the CFA Deferral Fee in 2026?
USD 449, purchasable up to 24 hours before your exam.
Are Paid CFA Deferrals Available in 2027?
No, that option ends from the February 2027 cycle.
How Much Does a CFA Retake Cost?
The full fee again, adding roughly ₹1.2 to 1.7 lakh with GST.
Can I Apply for a CFA Scholarship?
Yes, under the Access, Student or Professor category before registering.
Should I Apply for a Scholarship Before Registration?
Yes, since it changes your checkout fee and cannot apply retroactively.
Can My Employer Pay My CFA Fees?
Many finance employers reimburse fees or study material, so check first.
Can I Prepare for CFA Without Paid Coaching?
Yes, plenty clear all three levels on official resources alone.
Are There Hidden Costs Beyond CFA Exam Fees?
Forex markup, bank charges, a calculator, material and travel.
Is CFA Worth the Cost in India?
Mostly for investment research and portfolio roles, less for accounting paths.
Is CFA Cheaper Than an MBA?
Generally yes, without stepping away from work.
Which Is More Expensive: CFA or FRM?
CFA, since it spans three levels over a longer timeline.
