Overview
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts the Chartered Accountant (CA) exams, which are a series of rigorous examinations to become a professional Chartered Accountant. ICAI itself is the examination conducting body for the Chartered Accountants (CA) qualification, as established by the Chartered Accountant Act, 1949. The ICAI's Examination Committee oversees the process, which involves setting the examinations, regulating the profession, and granting the professional certificate.
The CA course is divided into three levels: CA Foundation, CA Intermediate and CA Final. Both CA Foundation and CA Intermediate exams are held thrice a year, while the CA Final exam is conducted twice annually. Students must clear all three stages to obtain the ICAI membership and become a CA.
ICAI Highlights
|
Exam Name |
ICAI |
|
Full Form |
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India |
|
Most popular for |
CA |
|
Level |
National |
|
Conducting Body |
ICAI itself |
|
Mode of Exam |
Paper Based Formats |
|
Application Mode |
Offline |
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Application form fee |
INR 1500 (Single Group) INR 2700 (Both Group) |
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Medium |
English |
|
Website |
https://www.icai.org/ |
Eligibility Criteria to qualify for ICAI Exam
To qualify for the ICAI CA exams, you must have passed your 12th-grade exams (senior secondary) or be in the final year of graduation with specific minimum marks. You can pursue the CA qualification via two routes: the Foundation Route, which requires clearing the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams, or the Direct Entry Route, available to graduates who meet the minimum percentage criteria.
Foundation Route (After 12th Grade)
1. Register for CA Foundation: Complete your 12th grade and register for the CA Foundation course with the ICAI.
2. Complete Foundation Study: Study for four months for the Foundation course.
3. Clear CA Foundation Exam: Pass the CA Foundation exam with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
4. Register for CA Intermediate: After passing the CA Foundation exam, register for the CA Intermediate course and complete 8 months of study.
5. Qualify CA Intermediate: Pass at least one group of the CA Intermediate exams.
6. Complete Articleship and Integrated Course: After registering for Intermediate, complete a 3-year practical training period (articleship) and the ICITSS course.
7. Register for CA Final: After completing the Intermediate exam and ICITSS, you can register for the CA Final course.
8. Clear CA Final Exam: Pass the CA Final exams and complete all other requirements to become a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Direct Entry Route (After Graduation)
1. Meet Graduation Requirements: Complete a bachelor's degree with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks in Commerce or 60% in a non-Commerce discipline.
2. Register for CA Intermediate: Register for the CA Intermediate course directly after meeting the graduation criteria.
3. Complete Intermediate Study: Study for 8 months for the CA Intermediate course.
4. Clear CA Intermediate Exam: Qualify for at least one group of the CA Intermediate exams.
5. Complete Articleship and ICITSS: Complete the 3-year practical training (articleship) and the Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS).
6. Register for CA Final: Register for the CA Final course.
7. Clear CA Final Exam: Pass the CA Final exams to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.
Exam Pattern
The Exam Pattern for Intermediate and Final levels under the new scheme (2025 onwards) includes 6 papers each (3 per group), with 30% case-study-based MCQs and 70% descriptive questions in Intermediate papers, and a unique open-book, case-study-based Paper 6 for the Final level. All exams are pen-and-paper based, last 3 hours each, and have negative marking for MCQs. The exams are now held three times a year.
Key Aspects of the New Exam Pattern
· MCQs Introduced: Both Intermediate and Final levels now feature 30% case-study-based Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
· Negative Marking: Incorrect answers to MCQs will have a negative marking.
· Reduced Papers: The number of papers for both Intermediate and Final levels has been reduced from 8 to 6.
· Paper 6(Final): This paper is an open-book, multidisciplinary case study, requiring students to answer four out of five case studies.
· Format: Exams are pen-and-paper based with a 3-hour duration.
· Exams Thrice a Year: From 2025, examinations at all levels are held thrice a year (January, May/June, September).
Level-Specific Patterns
· CA Intermediate: 6 papers total, divided into 2 groups of 3 papers each. Each paper consists of 30% MCQs and 70% descriptive questions.
· CA Final: 6 papers total, split into Group I and Group II.
ICAI Exam Syllabus
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) exam syllabus covers three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final, each with specific subjects and a new scheme of education and training. Key subjects include Accounting, Law, Business Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Taxation, Auditing, and Financial Management. You can find the most detailed and accurate information for each level and specific papers on the official ICAI website.
Levels of the CA Course and General Subjects
· CA Foundation:
This is the entry-level course, with subjects like Principles and Practices of Accounting, Business Law & Business Correspondence and Reporting, Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics, and Business Economics & Business and Commercial Knowledge.
· CA Intermediate:
After Foundation, students move to Intermediate. Subjects include Advanced Accounting, Corporate and Other Laws, Taxation, Cost and Management Accounting, Auditing and Ethics, and Financial Management and Strategic Management.
· CA Final:
The final stage covers subjects like Financial Reporting, Strategic Financial Management, Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics, Corporate and Economic Laws, Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation, Integrated Business Solutions (a multidisciplinary case study), Direct Tax Laws, and Indirect Tax Laws.
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Application Process:
1. Visit the Portal: Open the ICAI Self-Service Portal in your web browser.
2. Login: Use your existing student login credentials to sign in to your account.
3. Navigate to Applications: On the homepage, find and click on the "APPLY FOR EXAM" or "LOGIN/REGISTER" link.
4. Select Examination: From the available options, choose the specific exam for which you wish to apply (e.g., Foundation, Intermediate, or Final).
5. Fill the Application Form: Accurately complete the online form by providing all required personal and academic information.
6. Upload Documents (if required): Some processes may require you to upload photographs and signatures, which can be done on the portal.
7. Pay the Examination Fee: Use the provided online payment gateway to submit the examination fee.
8. Review and Submit: Carefully review your entire application to ensure all details are correct and complete before the final submission.
Note:- Always refer to the official website i.e. https://www.icai.org/ for the most current information and instructions.
