Nashik student Sakshi Jain tops CA Foundation May 2026 exam with 92.75%

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the results for the CA Foundation examination held in May 2026, crowning Nashik resident Sakshi Jain as the national topper. Jain achieved an impressive score of 371 marks, translating to 92.75 percent, securing All India Rank 1 in the highly competitive entrance examination.

Two other candidates rounded out the top three performers. Ayanabbas Ajani claimed the second position nationally, while Radha Unmesh Mulay secured the third rank. According to the official merit list released by ICAI, the scores among top performers were relatively close, indicating the competitive nature of this year's examination and the high calibre of candidates appearing for the foundation-level chartered accountancy qualification.

The examination was administered across 609 centres spread throughout India and internationally, providing candidates from diverse geographical locations the opportunity to appear for the test. Out of a total of 90,217 candidates who registered for the CA Foundation May 2026 examination, 18,124 candidates successfully qualified, achieving an overall pass percentage of 20.09 percent. This pass rate indicates the stringent standards maintained by ICAI in evaluating aspiring chartered accountants at the foundation stage.

The CA Foundation course represents the initial step in the chartered accountancy qualification pathway in India. It is designed to provide foundational knowledge in accounting, business law, taxation, and auditing to students who have recently completed their higher secondary education. The examination serves as a screening mechanism to identify candidates who possess the aptitude and dedication required for pursuing advanced professional studies in accountancy.

ICAI's announcement of the toppers list along with the overall results provides clarity to candidates regarding their performance and eligibility for advancement to subsequent stages of the CA qualification programme. For toppers like Sakshi Jain, this achievement represents exceptional preparation and command over the foundational concepts tested in the examination. The close competition among leading candidates suggests that future CA batches are likely to include highly competent professionals who will contribute meaningfully to India's accounting and auditing sectors.

Candidates who did not qualify in this attempt can reappear in the next examination cycle, which typically follows a biannual schedule maintained by ICAI.