CIMA charges in pounds. You pay £99 once to register (this includes your first year), then £150 a year in subscription, and exemptions are free. Each exam has its own fee, set by your country's price band.
In India, exams cost from £135 for an Operational test to £354 for the Strategic Case Study.
The table below shows each exam fee for your country.
What are CIMA fees in India?
Fees are charged in pounds, not rupees. On the standard route an Indian student pays:
| Item | Fee (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Registration (once, includes year 1 subscription) | 99 |
| Subscription, each year after that | 150 |
| Exemptions | Free |
| Cert BA test | 111 each |
| Operational test (E1, P1, F1) | 135 each |
| Operational Case Study (OCS) | 241 |
| Management test (E2, P2, F2) | 154 each |
| Management Case Study (MCS) | 250 |
| Strategic test (E3, P3, F3) | 241 each |
| Strategic Case Study (SCS) | 354 |
The India pathways (GPAP, A-Star, FLP, SEP and C-Suite) have their own fees, with 18% GST added. They are in the India pathway section below.
What are CIMA exam fees where you live?
CIMA prices exams by country band. These are the fees for your country, in pounds:
How much is CIMA registration and subscription?
- Registration: £99, paid once. It includes your first year's subscription.
- Subscription: £150 a year after that, due by 31 March.
- After the SCS: once you pass the Strategic Case Study, the yearly fee becomes £335.
- Work experience (PER): £199 to apply for verification of your 3 years' experience.
Do CIMA exemptions cost money?
No. CIMA's fees page says: "There is no charge for exemption fees." Exempt exams cost nothing, so the more exemptions you get, the less you pay in exam fees.
Will CIMA fees go up in 2027?
Yes. CIMA fees rise by 2 to 4% on 1 January 2027. If you plan to sit exams early in 2027, expect to pay the new price.
For example, the SCS in India goes from £354 to £365.
The table above shows the 2027 price for each exam.
What is the October 2026 registration offer?
If you register in October 2026, you pay no subscription until January 2028. CIMA calls it "15 months for the price of 12". You pay only the £99 registration. Registering in November gives 14 months; December gives 13. The offer runs until 31 December 2026, per CIMA's site; check CIMA's terms before you rely on it.
Worked example: what does an Indian CA pay in exam fees?
Here is one person, an ICAI (CA) member, on two different routes.
(a) Standard route with exemptions
A CA member is likely to start at the Management tests, with 8 exams left. At 2026 India prices:
| Exam | Fee (GBP) |
|---|---|
| E2 | 154 |
| P2 | 154 |
| F2 | 154 |
| MCS | 250 |
| E3 | 241 |
| P3 | 241 |
| F3 | 241 |
| SCS | 354 |
| Exam fees total | 1,789 |
| Registration | 99 |
| Total | 1,888 |
This assumes you pass every exam first time. It does not include subscription after year 1 (£150 a year), the £199 work experience fee, or study costs. Exams sat from 1 January 2027 will cost more. Check at checkout whether any local tax is added.
(b) GPAP (Global Professional Accountants Programme)
Through GPAP, the same CA, if an active ICAI member, sits 1 exam: the SCS.
- Fee: £1,100 + 18% GST, which is £1,298.
- It includes registration, the SCS exam fee (one attempt, valid one year), CIMA's online training, study resources and tutor support.
- Ask CIMA India whether the yearly subscription is included; the pathway sheet does not say.
So the difference is 1 exam instead of 8, and one fee that already includes registration and training. CIMA India confirms who qualifies.
India pathway fees
These fees apply to India only. They are charged in pounds, with 18% GST added.
| Pathway | Who it is for | Exams | Fee | What the fee includes | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPAP | Active ICAI (CA) or ICMAI (CMA) members | 1: SCS (15 exempt) | £1,100 + 18% GST | Registration, SCS exam fee (one attempt, valid one year), online training, study resources, tutor support | About 6 months |
| A-Star Programme (part of FLP) | Commerce graduates, CGPA 7.5+, degree in the last 5 years | 1 (15 exempt) | £2,000 + 18% GST | Registration, exam fee (2 attempts), FLP online platform, mocks, live sessions, past papers | About 6 months |
| CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP) | Graduates and postgraduates, under 6 years' experience | 1, 2 or 3 case studies | £2,000 or £3,400 + 18% GST | Registration, exam fees (2 attempts each), FLP platform, live sessions | 6 to 18 months |
| Senior Executive Programme (SEP) | 6+ years' experience, at least 3 in a management or senior role | 2: MCS + SCS (14 exempt) | £3,150 + GST with tuition; £2,100 + GST without | Registration, MCS and SCS exam fees (one attempt each, valid one year), online training, tutor support | About 12 months |
| C-Suite / CFO Programme | Senior finance leaders, 12+ years | 1: SCS (15 exempt) | £4,590 + 18% GST | Registration, SCS exam fee (one attempt, valid one year), 4-day live online workshop, membership application fee, study resources | About 6 months |
You apply for these through CIMA India with an application form and documents, not through the standard online registration.
- We help you work out which route costs you the fewest exams and pounds, and help you apply.
- If GPAP is your likely route, our SCS course prepares you for the one exam you sit.
- Start free with our case study mini course.
- Finntutors is a CIMA Global Learning Provider and has won CIMA's Global Pass Rate Excellence Award four times in a row. We are also listed as a Registered Tuition Provider on CIMA India's website.
Not sure which route is yours?
Message us on WhatsApp with your qualification and years of experience. We will tell you your likely route, what CIMA needs from you, and help you apply. CIMA confirms the final route.
Questions people ask
How much does CIMA registration cost in 2026?
£99, paid once. It includes your first year's subscription. After that, the subscription is £150 a year.
Are CIMA fees charged in rupees in India?
No. CIMA charges in pounds. The India pathway fees also carry 18% GST.
Do I pay for CIMA exemptions?
No. CIMA charges nothing for exemptions.
How much does CIMA cost for an Indian CA?
On the standard route, exam fees for the 8 exams left come to £1,789, plus £99 registration, at 2026 prices. Through GPAP it is £1,100 + 18% GST for 1 exam, with registration and training included.
When do CIMA fees go up?
On 1 January 2027, by 2 to 4%. In India the SCS rises to £365.
Please check before you apply. CIMA sets its own fees, exemptions and entry rules, and they can change. This article reflects CIMA's published information and CIMA India's pathway details as of 16 Oct 2026. Your exact route and fee are confirmed only by CIMA when you apply. Contact the CIMA India office ([email protected]), or ask us and we will connect you. Finntutors is an independent tuition provider and does not decide exemptions or fees.
Sources
- AICPA & CIMA, fees page, aicpa-cima.com (updated 7 Oct 2026)
- CIMA registration offer, myfuture.cimaglobal.com (2026)
- CIMA exemption calculator, aicpa-cima.com/exemption-calculator (read 16 Oct 2026)
- CIMA India pathway sheet (27 Aug 2026)
- CIMA India pathway brochures (Feb to Jun 2026)
- CIMA FLP public page (Skills Plus pricing)
