CAP I (Chartered Accountancy Professional I) is the 6-month foundation level of the CA course in Nepal, governed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nepal (ICAN)
. The CAP I syllabus in Nepal consists of 3 papers (300 marks total) covering Accounting, Mercantile Laws, Economics, Management, and Commercial Mathematics. To join, you need a 10+2 degree with a minimum 2.0 CGPA. ICAN board exams are held twice a year (June and December). To pass, you must score a minimum of 40% in each subject and a 50% aggregate overall.
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Taking the first step toward becoming a Chartered Accountant can feel intimidating. The transition from high school to a professional regulatory body like ICAN is a massive leap for many students.
The CAP I syllabus in Nepal acts as your academic foundation. It is specifically structured to ensure that every CA student, regardless of whether they come from a Management, Science, or Humanities background, develops a rock-solid understanding of fundamental financial and commercial concepts before tackling advanced corporate subjects in CAP II.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the complete CAP I syllabus in Nepal, the ICAN registration process, passing criteria, and the total cost of completing your first level.
(Are you looking for the complete 4.5-year roadmap of the Chartered Accountancy journey? Read more: CA Course in Nepal – The Complete Beginner’s Guide)
Eligibility: Who Can Join CAP I?
Unlike medical or engineering degrees in Nepal, there is no competitive entrance examination to enroll in the CA course. Admission is purely based on academic eligibility.
You can register for the CAP I syllabus in Nepal if you meet any of the following criteria:
- 10+2 Graduates: You must have successfully completed your 10+2 examinations (or equivalent) in any stream (Management, Science, Arts) with a minimum of a 2.0 CGPA.
- A-Level Students: Students who have passed A-Levels with recognized subjects are fully eligible to join.
- University Graduates: If you have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree but scored less than 50%, you must start from the foundation level. (Note: Graduates with 50%+ can skip CAP I and register directly for CAP II).
ICAN Registration & Exam Cycle (2026)
The CAP I course has a mandatory study duration of 6 months. ICAN conducts board examinations twice a year. To sit for the board exams, you must register directly with ICAN well in advance.
| Exam Session | ICAN Registration Deadline | Best Time to Start Coaching |
| June Examination | End of November (Previous Year) | December / January |
| December Examination | End of May (Same Year) | June / July |
Note: Official registration forms must be submitted online through the ICAN Official Student Portal. Late registrations incur fine penalties or force you to wait for the next exam cycle.
The Complete CAP I Syllabus in Nepal (Subject Breakdown)
The CAP I syllabus in Nepal consists of 3 Papers worth a total of 300 marks. The curriculum is specifically designed to test your logical reasoning, numerical accuracy, and theoretical understanding of business operations.
Paper 1: Fundamentals of Accounting (100 Marks)
This is the core foundation of the CA profession. If you come from a Science background, you will need to invest extra study hours here, but the syllabus starts from basic concepts.
- Key Topics Covered: Accounting principles and concepts, double-entry bookkeeping, journal entries, ledgers, trial balance, depreciation, inventory valuation, and preparation of final accounts for sole proprietorships and non-profit organizations.
Paper 2: Mercantile Laws & Fundamentals of Economics (100 Marks)
This paper is split into two distinct 50-mark sections.
- Part A: Mercantile Laws (50 Marks): Introduces you to the corporate legal environment in Nepal. Key topics include the Nepal Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, Agency Laws, and basics of company law.
- Part B: Fundamentals of Economics (50 Marks): Covers micro and macroeconomics, focusing on consumer demand, elasticity, market structures (monopoly, perfect competition), national income accounting, and Nepal’s monetary policy.
Paper 3: Fundamentals of Management & Commercial Mathematics (100 Marks)
This paper tests your management principles and mathematical logic.
- Part A: Fundamentals of Management (50 Marks): Focuses on organizational behavior, administrative leadership, motivation theories, corporate communication, and human resource management.
- Part B: Commercial Mathematics and Statistics (50 Marks): Covers calculus, matrices, time value of money (compound interest, annuities), probability distributions, measures of central tendency, and index numbers.
Passing Criteria: How Hard is CAP I?
The ICAN grading system is strict. Unlike standard +2 board exams where you only need overall pass marks, ICAN requires you to meet two separate criteria to clear the CAP I syllabus in Nepal:
- Individual Subject Minimum: You must score at least 40% (40 out of 100) in every single paper.
- Aggregate Minimum: You must score an overall aggregate of 50% (150 out of 300) across all three papers combined.
Example: If you score 65 in Paper 1, 60 in Paper 2, but 39 in Paper 3, you fail the entire level and must retake all three papers in the next attempt.
Fee Structure for CAP I in Nepal
The cost of studying the CAP I syllabus in Nepal includes two separate expenses: official ICAN registration fees and private coaching institute fees.
| Fee Category | Estimated Cost (2026) | Description |
| ICAN Registration Fee | NPR 27,500 | Paid directly to ICAN. Includes study modules and exam eligibility. Check ICAN Fee Updates |
| ICAN Exam Fee | NPR 3,200 | Paid a few months prior to the board examination. |
| Private Coaching Classes | NPR 35,000 – 50,000 | Paid to private CA institutes in Nepal for 6-month daily lectures. |
| Total Estimated Cost | NPR 65,700 – 80,700 | Total investment required to clear the CAP I foundation level. |
3 Quick Tips to Pass CAP I on Your First Attempt
- Do Not Ignore Math and Law: Many Management students excel in Accounting but fail because they neglect Commercial Mathematics or struggle with legal jargon in Mercantile Law. Treat all three subjects equally.
- Rely on Official ICAN Materials: Your primary study source should be the official ICAN study modules, Revision Test Papers (RTPs), and Mock Test Papers (MTPs). Do not rely exclusively on coaching notes.
- Practice Time Management: Paper 3 (Math & Management) can be extremely lengthy. Practice solving past 100-mark ICAN question papers with a 3-hour timer at home to build calculation speed.
Ready for the next step? Check out our complete breakdown of the next intermediate level:
CAP II Complete Guide: Group 1 & Group 2 Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the qualification required for CAP I in Nepal?
To register for CAP I under ICAN, you must have completed your 10+2 examinations (or equivalent) in any stream with a minimum of a 2.0 CGPA.
How many subjects are in the CAP I syllabus in Nepal?
The CAP I syllabus in Nepal consists of three papers: Fundamentals of Accounting (100 Marks), Mercantile Laws & Economics (100 Marks), and Management & Commercial Mathematics (100 Marks).
What is the passing criteria for CAP I under ICAN?
To pass CAP I, a student must secure a minimum of 40% in each individual paper and an overall aggregate score of 50% across all three papers.
Can a Science student study CA in Nepal?
Yes. Science graduates with a 2.0 CGPA or higher in 10+2 are fully eligible to enroll in CAP I. The syllabus teaches accounting fundamentals from the ground up.
