What is CA Course?
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The CA course (Chartered Accountant course) is a professional qualification regulated by ICAI(Institute of Chartered Accountant of India) that prepares individuals to become certified Chartered Accountants. CA course encompasses comprehensive training in accounting, auditing, taxation, financial management, and related areas. CA course typically involves a series of examinations, practical training, and sometimes additional coursework, which are designed to ensure proficiency in various aspects of financial and business management.
CA Course Duration
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The duration of the CA course in India depends on your academic background and whether you clear the exams in the first attempt.
After 12th Grade: 4.5 years (New Scheme 2023) - This is for students who directly enroll after completing their 12th standard.
Graduates: 4 years (New Scheme 2023) - Graduates can opt for the direct entry scheme, reducing the course duration.
CA Course Fee
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Foundation Course:
The total fee for the CA Foundation Course is Rs.9,200. There is another optional fee of Rs.600 for the subscription of journals. The fee structure is as follows:
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Intermediate Course:
The total fee for the Intermediate Course is Rs.18,000 for two groups and Rs.13,000 for a single group. The fee structure is as follows:
Registration Fees
Note: This needs to be paid only once. When a student is registering for the second group, this need not be paid again.
Registration Fees for Articleship – Rs.2,000
Final Course:
The Fee for the Final Course is Rs.22,000.
Exam Fee: INR 3,300 (both groups), INR 1,800 (single group)
Training Programs:
AICITSS Training: INR 7,500 (IT), INR 7,000 (soft skills).
CA Course Eligibility
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The eligibility criteria for the CA course in India depends on your academic background at the time of registration:
For Students After 12th Standard (Foundation Course):
For Graduates (Direct Entry Route - Intermediate Course):
Minimum marks requirement:
Additional Points:
Students in their final year of graduation can also apply for the Intermediate course provisionally. They need to submit proof of graduation within six months of appearing in their final exams.
There's no upper age limit for pursuing a CA course.
Alternative Entry Route (for Graduates):
Candidates who have passed the intermediate level exam of The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) or The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) can also opt for direct entry into the CA Intermediate course.
Resources for Further Information: ICAI
CA Course Passing Criteria
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The passing criteria for the CA Course differs depending on the level of study (Foundation, Intermediate, Final). Here's a breakdown:
CA Foundation:
To pass the CA Foundation exam, a candidate must secure:
CA Intermediate:
Passing the CA Intermediate exam requires:
CA Final:
The CA Final passing criteria involve a group system:
Additional Points:
Negative Marking: The ICAI's new scheme (effective from May 2023) applies negative marking for multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in the Foundation and Intermediate exams. A deduction of 0.25 marks is made for every wrong MCQ answer.
CA Course Registration
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Students can visit icai.org to register for the Foundation Course. They can also click the following link and follow the instructions: ICAI Login
Important dates for registration under the CA New Scheme have been published by ICAI as follows:
CA Course Curriculum 2023
CA Foundation
The CA Foundation syllabus aims to equip students with the building blocks for a career in chartered accountancy. Here's a concise breakdown of its objectives:
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CA Inter
The CA Intermediate syllabus builds upon the foundation set in CA Foundation and equips students with in-depth knowledge for a successful career as a Chartered Accountant.
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CA Final
The CA Final syllabus takes students beyond core accounting and aims to develop well-rounded Chartered Accountants.
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CA Final Self Paced Online Module
The objective of the CA Final Self Paced Online Module (SPOM) is to provide CA Final candidates with more flexibility in their studies while maintaining the rigor of the CA program
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Overall, the CA Final SPOM aims to enhance accessibility and cater to diverse learning styles while ensuring candidates receive high-quality course content for the CA Final exams.
CA Articleship Training
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After clearing either or both the groups of CA intermediate, a student has to undergo an articleship/ practical training for a period of 2 years.
Before the commencement of articleship, a student has to undergo 2 practical trainings of 4 weeks duration each i.e., ICITSS and AICITSS.
All these three trainings are compulsory in nature.
Career Opportunities for CAs
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CAs in India are highly sought-after with diverse career paths: