How to become CA in India? Chartered Accountancy course is one of the best course after passing Class 10th Examination. To become a Chartered Accountant in India, you have to complete Chartered Accountancy Course. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) regulates this course. Official website is ICAI.org.
Since the launch of new scheme of education and training on July 1st 2023, there has been substantial increase in student registrations. For the May / June, 2024, almost 4,36,500 students have enrolled, which is highest so far.
Update (8th March, 2024): In a landmark move by ICAI, Intermediate & Foundation course examinations will now be held thrice annually in January, May/June, and September, as opposed to the previous schedule of twice a year. Meanwhile, the CA Final exam will continue to follow the traditional biannual format.
The Institute has its headquarters at New Delhi. In addition, it has five Regional Councils located in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kanpur and New Delhi and 175 Branches spread all over the country. The Institute has also 50 chapters and 31 Representative Offices spanning 81 cities across 47 Countries.
There are three levels in this course viz. CA Foundation, CA Intermediate and CA Final. Under newly revised Scheme of Education and Training, a candidate can pursue Chartered Accountancy Course either through Foundation Course Route or through Direct Entry Route. Early registration to CA Foundation Course is available for 10th class passed candidates. Otherwise, graduation degree is the eligibility criteria for direct admission to CA Intermediate Course.
Total duration of CA Course is 4.5 years out of which 3 years is for practical training i.e. Articleship and 4 months and 8 months is for study period in CA Foundation and Intermediate. AUBSP.com helps you to provide detail guidelines for becoming an Indian Chartered Accountant. You will find step wise requirement to become a CA i.e. eligibility for admission, syllabus of CA Course, study materials, exam preparation strategy, exam dates, results and total cost to complete chartered accountancy course.
ICAI Members / Students Statistics
About ICAI: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body set up by the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. ICAI is the second largest professional body of Chartered Accountants in the world.
Chartered Accountants as per Certificate of Practice (COP)
| COP Type | Full Time COP | Part Time COP | No COP | COP Held | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRC | 32307 | 1195 | 48488 | 0 | 81990 |
| EIRC | 12080 | 525 | 23278 | 0 | 35883 |
| WIRC | 46540 | 2399 | 102124 | 1 | 151064 |
| NIRC | 29660 | 1462 | 55561 | 0 | 86683 |
| SIRC | 30016 | 1759 | 60734 | 0 | 92509 |
| Total | 150603 | 7340 | 290185 | 1 | 448129 |
Initially it has only 1,700 members in 1949 and as on March, 26, 2023 the membership of the CA Institute is 4,48,129. There are more than 8,47,546 students are pursuing chartered accountancy course as on January 01, 2024.
ICAI Students Statistics
| Course Type | CA Foundation | CA Intermediate | CA Final | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRC | 74578 | 74180 | 41364 | 190122 |
| EIRC | 19122 | 25008 | 12911 | 57041 |
| WIRC | 74823 | 100831 | 51070 | 226724 |
| NIRC | 41220 | 52449 | 29999 | 123668 |
| SIRC | 68598 | 122828 | 58565 | 249991 |
| Total | 278341 | 375296 | 193909 | 847546 |
Requirements to become a CA in India
CA Course duration
Before joining CA course, you should have knowledge about duration of Chartered Accountancy course. I am explaining the CA course duration in detail hereunder:
Become CA through Foundation Course Route:
- CA Foundation course duration is 8 months;
- Study Period 4 Months
- Exam Period 1 month
- Time to declare CA Foundation result 2 months
- Time required for Admission to CA Intermediate Course is 1 month
- CA Intermediate course duration is 14 months;
- Study Period 8 Months
- Exam Period 1 month
- Time to declare CA Inter result 2 months
- Time required for Admission to CA Final Course is 1 month
- CA Final course duration is 24 months that requires to complete 2 years articleship.
Thus, the minimum time required to become a Chartered Accountant in India is 46 months (i.e. 3 years and 10 months). The above period starts from the date of joining entry level i.e. CA Foundation course to enrolling your name in the register of members of ICAI.
However, if you register yourself through direct entry route then you will become a Chartered Accountant within a minimum period of 38 months i.e. 3.2 years.
Apka question hain ki ca kitne saal ki hoti hai? To jaan lijiye ki CA banne ke liye kam se kam apko 3 saal lagenge direct entry route se. Aur agar aap foundation route se karte hain to lagbhag sadhe char saal me aap CA baan jaoge.
Watch Video – How to become CA
Become CA in July 2028 – Foundation Route
To become CA in July 2028, you have to clear in first attempt CA Foundation in June 2024, CA Intermediate in May 2025 and CA Final in May 2028.
| Requirements for | becoming CA in July 2028 |
|---|---|
| Register for CA Foundation Course | Between 02.08.2023 to 01.02.2024 |
| CA Foundation Study Period | 4 Months (February 2024-May 2024) |
| Appear in CA Foundation Exams | June 2024 |
| CA Foundation Result June 2024 | Aug 2024 |
| CA Foundation Course duration | February 2024 to August 2024 |
| Register for CA Intermediate Course | On or before 1st September 2024 |
| Complete ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| CA Inter Study Period | 8 Months (Sept 2024-April 2025) |
| Appear in CA Intermediate Exam | May 2025 |
| CA Inter Results May 2025 | July 2025 |
| CA Intermediate course duration | Sept 2024 to July 2025 |
| Register for CA Final Course | On or before 1st Nov 2025 |
| Join Articleship | 2 Years (Nov 2025 to Oct 2027) |
| Complete Advanced ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| Appear in CA Final Exams | May 2028 |
| CA Final Results May 2028 | July 2028 |
| CA Final course duration | Nov 2025 to July 2028 |
Become CA in Jan 2029 – Foundation Route
To become CA in January, 2029, you have to clear CA Foundation in Dec 2024, CA Intermediate in Nov 2025 and CA Final in Nov 2028 in first attempt.
| Requirements for | becoming CA in January 2029 |
|---|---|
| Register for CA Foundation Course | Between 02.02.2023 to 01.08.2024 |
| CA Foundation Study Period | 4 Months (August 2024-Nov 2024) |
| Appear in CA Foundation Exams | Dec 2024 |
| CA Foundation Result Dec 2024 | February 2025 |
| CA Foundation Course duration | August 2024 to February 2025 |
| Register for CA Intermediate Course | On or before 1st March 2025 |
| Complete ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| CA Inter Study Period | 8 Months (March 2025-Oct 2025) |
| Appear in CA Intermediate Exam | Nov 2025 |
| CA Inter Results Nov 2025 | January 2026 |
| CA Intermediate course duration | March 2025 to January 2026 |
| Register for CA Final Course | On or before 1st May 2026 |
| Join Articleship | 2 Years (May 2026 to April 2028) |
| Complete Advanced ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| Appear in CA Final Exams | Nov 2028 |
| CA Final Results Nov 2028 | January 2029 |
| CA Final course duration | May 2026 to January 2029 |
Become CA in January 2028 – Direct Entry Route
If you are graduate then you may become CA in just 3 years. Direct entry is open for commerce graduates or post-graduates (55%) or other graduates or post-graduates (60%) and CS Final or CMA Final students.
To become CA in January, 2028, you have to clear CA Intermediate in Nov 2024 and CA Final in Nov 2027 in first attempt.
| Requirements for | becoming CA in January 2028 |
|---|---|
| Register for CA Intermediate Course | On or before 1st March 2024 |
| Complete ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| CA Inter Study Period | 8 Months (March 2024-Oct 2024) |
| Appear in CA Intermediate Exam | Nov 2024 |
| CA Inter Results Nov 2024 | January 2025 |
| CA Intermediate course duration | March 2024 to January 2025 |
| Register for CA Final Course | On or before 1st May 2025 |
| Join Articleship | 2 Years (May 2025 to April 2027) |
| Complete Advanced ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| Appear in CA Final Exams | Nov 2027 |
| CA Final Results Nov 2027 | January 2028 |
| CA Final course duration | May 2027 to January 2028 |
Become CA in July 2028 – Direct Entry Route
| Requirements for | becoming CA in July 2028 |
|---|---|
| Register for CA Intermediate Course | On or before 1st September 2024 |
| Complete ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| CA Inter Study Period | 8 Months (Sept 2024-April 2025) |
| Appear in CA Intermediate Exam | May 2025 |
| CA Inter Results May 2025 | July 2025 |
| CA Intermediate course duration | September 2024 to July 2025 |
| Register for CA Final Course | On or before 1st Nov 2025 |
| Join Articleship | 2 Years (Nov 2025 to Oct 2027) |
| Complete Advanced ICITSS | 4 weeks |
| Appear in CA Final Exams | May 2028 |
| CA Final Results May 2028 | July 2028 |
| CA Final course duration | Nov 2027 to July 2028 |
Steps to become a Chartered Accountant in India
Complete the following steps to become a qualified Indian Chartered Accountant:
Step-1: CA Foundation Course
It is the entry-level course. Candidates who wish to pursue Chartered Accountancy Course can register for Foundation Course after passing in Class 10th examination. Following are papers of CA Foundation Course:
- Paper-1: Accounting
- Paper-2: Business Laws
- Paper-3: Quantitative Aptitude
- Paper-4: Business Economics
The validity period for registration in the Foundation Course is for 4 years from the first eligible attempt in the CA Foundation Examination. Revalidation is not permitted at the Foundation level.
Step-2: CA Intermediate Course
Candidates can register for Intermediate level after qualifying Foundation Course. You may take direct entry, if you are Graduate or have qualified the Intermediate Level examination of CMA Institute or CS Institute. Four weeks ICITSS and 2 years practical training required.
There are two Groups in CA Intermediate level viz. Group-I (Paper-1 to Paper-3) and Group-II (Paper-4 to Paper-6). Following subjects are of CA Intermediate Course:
Group-I:
- Advanced Accounting (100 marks)
- Corporate and Other Laws (100 marks)
- Taxation
- Section A – Income-tax Law (50 marks)
- Section B – Goods and Services Tax (GST) (50 marks)
Group-II:
- Cost and Management Accounting (100 marks)
- Auditing and Ethics (100 marks)
- Financial Management and Strategic Management
- Section A – Financial Management (50 marks)
- Section B – Strategic Management (50 marks)
The validity period for registration in the Intermediate Course is for 5 years from the date of registration in the Intermediate Course which can be revalidated for 5 years with revalidation fee of Rs.400/-. Revalidation is permitted only once for Intermediate Course.
Step-3: CA Final Course
After successfully passing Intermediate Examination, a student enters into the last leg of the Chartered Accountancy Course i.e. the Final Course.
There are two Groups in CA Final level viz. Group-I (Paper-1 to Paper-3) and Group-II (Paper-4 to Paper-6). Following subjects cover entire syllabus of CA Final course:
Group I:
Paper 1: Financial Reporting (100 marks)
Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management (100 marks)
Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics (100 marks)
Group II:
Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation (100 marks)
Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws (100 marks)
Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions (100 marks)
(Multidisciplinary Case Study with Strategic Management)
The validity period of registration in the Final Course is for 10 years from the date of registration in the Final Course which can be revalidated every 10 years with revalidation fee of Rs.500/-.
Step-4: Register as Member of ICAI
After passing Final course, you will be a qualified Chartered Accountant and eligible to submit application in Form No. 2 for entry in the register of members of ICAI.
Requirements to become a Chartered Accountant
A) Through Foundation Course route:
- Register in CA Foundation Course after passing in Class 10th Examination.
- Complete 4 months study period before appearing in foundation exam.
- Appear in Foundation Examination after appearing in the Senior Secondary (10+2) Examination.
- Register in Intermediate Course after qualifying class 12th and CA Foundation Examination.
- Apply for appearing in CA Intermediate Examination on completion of 8 months of study course.
- Appear and Pass both the Groups of Intermediate Examination.
- Undergo Four Weeks Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft skills (ICITSS) compulsorily before commencement of Articleship.
- Register for 2 years Practical Training after passing both Groups of Intermediate Course and after successfully undergoing ICITSS.
- Register for CA Final Course.
- Complete the four Self-paced Online Modules and qualify the online assessment.
- Complete Practical Training.
- Successfully undergo Four Weeks Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft skills (AICITSS) after completion of Practical Training before appearing in the Final Examination.
- Appear in Final Examination after completing six months from the end of the Practical Training period.
- Qualify both groups of Final Examination.
- Enrol as a member of the ICAI and be designated as “Chartered Accountant”.
B) Through Direct Entry route:
Commerce Graduates/Post-Graduates (with minimum 55% marks) or Other Graduates/ Post-Graduates (with minimum 60% marks) and Intermediate level passed candidates of Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
- Enrol with ICAI for CA Intermediate Course.
- Complete 8 months of theoretical education of the Intermediate Course.
- Apply for appearing in Intermediate examination by filling up the prescribed Exam Form.
- Appear and Pass both the Groups of Intermediate Examination.
- Complete Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) before commencement of the Practical Training.
- Register for two year Practical Training after passing both the Groups of Intermediate Examination and completing ICITSS.
- Register for the Final Course after qualifying both Groups of Intermediate Examination
- Complete the four Self-paced online modules and qualify the online assessment.
- Complete Practical Training.
- Undergo and qualify Advanced ICITSS on completion of Practical Training but before appearing in the Final Examination.
- Apply for appearing in Final examination by filling up the prescribed Exam Form.
- Appear in Final Examination after completing six months from the end of the Practical Training period.
- Qualify both groups of CA Final Examination.
- Enrol as a member of the ICAI and be designated as “Chartered Accountant”.
Provisional Registration: Candidates who are pursuing the Final year of Graduation Course shall be eligible for provisional registration to the Intermediate Course. On submission of final year graduation/post-graduation mark sheets, the registration will be confirmed.
Provisionally registered students can complete the 8 months study period during last year of graduation/ post graduation. They should have, however, passed graduation/ post-graduation, as the case may be, with prescribed minimum marks, at the time of filling up the exam form for CA Intermediate Examination.
Total Cost to become Chartered Accountant in India
| Details of ICAI Course Fee | Amount (₹) | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| CA Foundation Registration Fee | 9000 | |
| CA Intermediate Registration Fee | 18000 | |
| ICITSS – Course on Information Technology (IT) | 6500 | |
| ICITSS – Orientation Course (OC) | 7000 | |
| Students’ Activities Fee | 2000 | |
| Registration fee as articled assistant | 1000 | |
| AICITSS – Course on Advanced Information Technology (AIT) | 7500 | |
| AICITSS – Management & Communication Skills Course (MCS) | 7000 | |
| CA Final Registration Fee | 22000 | |
| Total | 80000 | |
| Optional payment to ICAI during CA Course: | ||
| Subscription for Students’ Journal for one year | 400 | |
| Subscription for Members’ Journal for one year | 1000 | |
| CA Intermediate Live Virtual Classes | 6250 | |
| CA Final Live Virtual Classes | 7500 | |
| Four Weeks’ Residential Programme | 60000 | |
| Total | 75150 | |
| Optional Private Coaching Fee: | ||
| CA Foundation Coaching Fee | 25000 | |
| CA Intermediate Coaching Fee | 55000 | |
| CA Final Coaching Fee | 70000 | |
| Total | 150000 | |
| Total Fee | 305150 |
Note that CA Course coaching fee may vary from different private coaching institutes. Please share, how much amount you had paid for taking CA Online Classes or offline classes from private coaching institutes.