- ICAI's New Scheme of Education and Training, effective 1 July 2023, restructured the course
- CA Intermediate and CA Final now have six papers each, down from eight, and the practical articleship training is reduced from three years to two years
- The old CPT entrance test has been replaced by the four-paper CA Foundation course.
Chartered Accountancy (CA) is one of the most popular professional courses in the commerce stream, though students from any stream can pursue it. A CA is certified by the statutory body ICAI and is qualified to handle accounting, auditing, taxation and advisory work for companies and individuals, including auditing financial statements, maintaining records and preparing financial reports.
How Do You Enrol in the CA Foundation Course?
CA Foundation is the entry level to the Chartered Accountancy course. After passing Class 12 in any stream, you register with ICAI, complete a four-month study period, and then sit the four-paper Foundation exam. Students may register after Class 10 but can only appear once they have cleared Class 12.
The earlier Common Proficiency Test (CPT) has been replaced by the CA Foundation course. To enrol, candidates register on the ICAI portal and upload the required documents before they can appear for the examination. The Foundation exam has four papers of 100 marks each; Papers 1 and 2 are descriptive while Papers 3 and 4 are objective.
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CA Intermediate is the second level, taken after clearing Foundation or via the Direct Entry route for graduates. Under the 2023 new scheme it has six papers split across two groups, replacing the earlier eight-paper structure. After an eight-month study period, students sit the exams and ICAI releases results about two months later.
Commerce graduates and postgraduates with at least 55 percent marks, or graduates from other streams with at least 60 percent, can skip Foundation and register directly for CA Intermediate through the Direct Entry route. Intermediate has two groups of three papers each, and candidates can attempt the groups together or separately.
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After clearing both groups of CA Intermediate, candidates undergo practical training known as articleship. The 2023 new scheme reduced this from three years to two years of supervised work under a practising Chartered Accountant. Students may register for the CA Final during the last six months of this training period.
Articleship gives students hands-on exposure to auditing, taxation and accounting in a professional firm. Under the new scheme the duration is two years, and students must also complete the prescribed ICITSS training before commencing it. Those who later wish to practise independently need a further year of post-qualification experience before obtaining a certificate of practice.
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CA Final is the last stage of the Chartered Accountancy course. Under the 2023 new scheme it has six papers across two groups, down from eight. You must clear both Intermediate groups to register and complete your articleship to qualify. Passing all six papers earns the Chartered Accountant designation from ICAI.
At the Final level students apply advanced knowledge of financial reporting, audit, taxation and strategic management. Candidates can register for the CA Final after clearing both Intermediate groups and can appear for it during the last six months of articleship. Once all six papers are passed and training is complete, ICAI confers the CA membership.
How Long Does the CA Course Take?
The CA course typically takes about four to five years to complete after Class 12, covering Foundation, Intermediate, two years of articleship, and Final. Timelines vary with how quickly a student clears each level. Direct-entry graduates skip Foundation, shortening the path. Most candidates pursue it alongside or after a graduation degree.
| CA Stage (2026 New Scheme) | Approximate Duration |
|---|---|
| CA Foundation study period | 4 months |
| Foundation result | About 2 months |
| CA Intermediate study period | 8 months |
| Intermediate result | About 2 months |
| Articleship (practical training) | 2 years |
| CA Final | Registered after both Inter groups; appear in last 6 months of training |
What Are the Subjects in the CA Course?
Under the 2023 new scheme, CA Foundation has four papers, CA Intermediate has six papers in two groups, and CA Final has six papers in two groups. Subjects span accounting, business and corporate law, taxation, cost and management accounting, auditing and ethics, financial reporting, and strategic financial management across the three levels.
| Level (2026 New Scheme) | Papers | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Paper 1: Accounting | 100 |
| Foundation | Paper 2: Business Laws | 100 |
| Foundation | Paper 3: Quantitative Aptitude | 100 |
| Foundation | Paper 4: Business Economics | 100 |
| Intermediate | Paper 1: Advanced Accounting | 100 |
| Intermediate | Paper 2: Corporate and Other Laws | 100 |
| Intermediate | Paper 3: Taxation | 100 |
| Intermediate | Paper 4: Cost and Management Accounting | 100 |
| Intermediate | Paper 5: Auditing and Ethics | 100 |
| Intermediate | Paper 6: Financial Management and Strategic Management | 100 |
| Final | Paper 1: Financial Reporting | 100 |
| Final | Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management | 100 |
| Final | Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics | 100 |
| Final | Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation | 100 |
| Final | Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws | 100 |
| Final | Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions | 100 |
What Salary Can a Chartered Accountant Expect?
Chartered Accountants are among India's better-paid finance professionals. At ICAI's 60th campus placement in 2024, newly qualified CAs received an average package of around 12.49 lakh rupees per annum, with the highest domestic offer reaching 26.70 lakh rupees per annum. Actual pay varies with role, firm, and experience.
CA remuneration depends on specialisation, employer and city. Newly qualified CAs often start in audit, taxation, consulting or corporate finance roles, while experienced professionals and partners can earn considerably more. The figures above come from ICAI's official 60th campus placement programme and reflect domestic offers to freshly qualified members.