CFA Program in India 2026: Exam Centers, Fees, and Essential FAQs
🇮🇳 2026 India Candidate Update
The CFA Institute has significantly expanded its footprint in India, now offering exams in 23+ cities. This guide includes the latest SEBI regulatory updates and 2026 scholarship windows.
CFA Program in India: Logistics & Legal FAQs
1. Test Centers in India (2026 Network)
Gone are the days when candidates had to travel to metro hubs or abroad. As of 2026, the CFA Institute offers more than 400 global locations, including a massive network in India.
Available Test Cities in India:
- ✅ Mumbai
- ✅ New Delhi
- ✅ Bangalore
- ✅ Kolkata
- ✅ Pune
- ✅ Chennai
- ✅ Hyderabad
- ✅ Ahmedabad
- ✅ Jaipur
- ✅ Lucknow
- ✅ Indore
- ✅ Kochi
- ✅ Chandigarh
- ✅ Bhopal
- ✅ Ranchi
- ✅ Gurugram
- ✅ Manipal
- ✅ Nashik
- ...and more!
Pro-Tip: Popular centers like Mumbai and Delhi fill up fast. Schedule your appointment early to avoid the $250 rescheduling fee.
2. Regulatory Recognition in India (SEBI)
The CFA charter is highly valued by Indian regulators. Under the latest 2026 SEBI norms:
- Research Analysts (RA): Holding a CFA Charter fulfills the professional qualification requirement to become a SEBI Registered Research Analyst.
- Investment Advisers (RIA): The CFA Charter is also an approved professional qualification for registration as a SEBI Registered Investment Adviser.
- Wider Talent Pool: SEBI has recently widened eligibility, allowing graduates from any discipline (including Law or Engineering) to register as IAs/RAs if they hold a CFA Charter.
3. 2026 Registration & Scholarship Windows
Financial assistance is available through various scholarship programs, which can reduce your exam fee to as low as $400.
| Scholarship Type | 2026 Benefit |
|---|---|
| Access Scholarship | Fee reduced to $400 |
| Student/Women's | Fee reduced to $600 |
*Note: The Access Scholarship window for November 2026 exams opens on February 11, 2026.
Essential Candidate FAQs
How should I use my CFA designation?
The marks "CFA" and "Chartered Financial Analyst" must only be used as adjectives, never as nouns or in the plural (e.g., "John is a CFA" is improper; "John is a CFA charterholder" is correct). Do not include the designation in your X (Twitter) handle or e-mail address.
How do I compare the CFA, CIPM, and Investment Foundations?
- CFA Program: The flagship, three-level graduate curriculum for investment analysis and portfolio management.
- CIPM Program: A specialist two-level program focused on investment performance measurement and GIPS standards.
- Investment Foundations: A certificate for those working alongside investment decision-makers (e.g., HR, IT, Legal) providing a fundamental industry overview.
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