How to become CA after 10th | Complete Detail

How to become CA in India? Chartered Accountancy course is one of the best 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.

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. Initially it has only 1,700 members in 1949 and today the membership of the CA Institute is over 3,07,000. There are more than 5,00,000 students are pursuing chartered accountancy course.

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 163 Branches spread all over the country. The
Institute has also 30 chapters outside India.

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 10^th class passed candidates. Otherwise, graduation degree is the eligibility 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 dates, results and total cost to complete chartered accountancy course.

Requirements to become a CA in 2026

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:

1. 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
2. CA Intermediate course duration is 14 months; and
   • 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
3. CA Final course duration is 36 months

Thus, the minimum time required to become a Chartered Accountants in India is 58 months (i.e. 4 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 36 months i.e. 3 years.

Become ICAI member in May 2026

To become CA in January/February, 2026, you have to clear in first attempt CA Foundation in Nov 2021, CA Intermediate in Nov 2022 and CA Final in Nov 2025.

Requirements for	becoming CA in Jan/Feb 2026
Register for CA Foundation Course	Between 02.01.2021 to 01.07.2021
CA Foundation Study Period	4 Months (July-Oct 2021)
Appear in CA Foundation Exams	Nov 2021
CA Foundation Result Nov 2021	Jan/Feb 2022
CA Foundation Course duration	July 2021 to February 2022
Register for CA Intermediate Course	On or before 1st March 2022
Complete ICITSS	4 weeks
CA Inter Study Period	8 Months (March-Oct 2022)
Appear in CA Intermediate Exam	Nov 2022
CA Inter Results Nov 2022	Jan/Feb 2023
Join Articleship	3 Years (May 2023 to April 2026)
CA Intermediate course duration	March 2022 to April 2023
Register for CA Final Course	On or before 1st May 2023
Complete AICITSS	4 weeks
Appear in CA Final Exams	Nov 2025
CA Final Results Nov 2025	Jan/Feb 2026
CA Final course duration	May 2023 to April 2026

Become ICAI Member in Nov 2026

To become CA in July/August, 2026, you have to clear CA Foundation in May 2022, CA Intermediate in May 2023 and CA Final in May 2026 in first attempt.

Requirements for	becoming CA in July/Aug 2026
Register for CA Foundation Course	Between 02.07.2021 to 01.01.2022
CA Foundation Study Period	4 Months (January-April 2022)
Appear in CA Foundation Exams	May 2022
CA Foundation Result May 2022	July/Aug 2022
CA Foundation Course duration	January 2022 to August 2022
Register for CA Intermediate Course	On or before 1st September 2022
Complete ICITSS	4 weeks
CA Inter Study Period	8 Months (Sept 2022 – April 2023)
Appear in CA Intermediate Exam	May 2023
CA Inter Results May 2023	July/Aug 2023
Join Articleship	3 Years (Nov 2023 to Oct 2026)
CA Intermediate course duration	September 2022 to October 2023
Register for CA Final Course	On or before 1st Nov 2023
Complete AICITSS	4 weeks
Appear in CA Final Exams	May 2026
CA Final Results May 2026	July/Aug 2026
CA Final course duration	Nov 2023 to Oct 2026

Become CA in May 2024 through 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%):

Requirements for	becoming CA in July/Aug 2024
Register for CA Intermediate Course	Between 02.02.2021 to 01.08.2021
Undergo ICITSS	4 weeks
Register for Practical Training	3 Years (August 2021 – July 2024)
Complete 9 months of Articleship	On or before 1st May 2022
Appear in CA Intermediate Exam	May 2022
CA Inter Results May 2022	July/Aug 2022
Register for CA Final Course	No last Date of Registration
Complete AICITSS	4 weeks
Appear in CA Final Exams	May 2024
CA Final Results May 2026	July/Aug 2024

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: Principles and Practice of Accounting
• Paper-2: Business Laws and Business Correspondence and Reporting
• Paper-3: Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics
• Paper-4: Business Economics and Business and Commercial Knowledge

CA Foundation Course registration is valid for 3 years and can be revalidated any number of times for further 3 years period by paying revalidation fee of ₹300/- or as decided by the ICAI Council from time to time.

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 three years practical training required.

There are two Groups in CA Intermediate level viz. Group-I (Paper-1 to Paper-4) and Group-II (Paper-5 to Paper-7). Following subjects are of CA Intermediate Course:

• Paper-1: Accounting
• Paper-2: Corporate and Other Laws
• Paper-3: Cost and Management Accounting
• Paper-4: Taxation
• Paper-5: Advanced Accounting
• Paper-6: Auditing and Assurance
• Paper-7: Enterprise Information Systems & Strategic Management
• Paper-8: Financial Management & Economics for Finance

CA Intermediate Course registration is valid for 4 years and can be revalidated any number of times for further 4 years period by paying revalidation fee of Rs. 400/- or as decided by the ICAI Council from time to time.

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-4) and Group-II (Paper-5 to Paper-8). Following subjects cover entire syllabus of CA Final course:

1. Paper-1: Financial Reporting
2. Paper-2: Strategic Financial Management
3. Paper-3: Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics
4. Paper-4: Corporate and Economic Laws
5. Paper-5: Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation
6. Paper-6: Elective Subjects
   • Paper-6A: Risk Management
   • Paper-6B: Financial Services and Capital Markets
   • Paper-6C: International Taxation
   • Paper-6D: Economic Laws
   • Paper-6E: Global Financial Reporting Standards
   • Paper-6F: Multidisciplinary Case Study
7. Paper-7: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation
8. Paper-8: Indirect Tax Laws

CA Final Course registration is valid for 5 years and can be revalidated any number of times for further 5 years period by paying revalidation fee of ₹500/- or as decided by the Council from time to time.

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:

1. Register in CA Foundation Course after passing in Class 10^th Examination.
2. Complete 4 months study period before appearing in foundation exam. Therefore, you have to register between 02.1.2021 to 01.07.2021 for appearing in Nov 2021 term of foundation exam. Similarly, you are eligible to appear for May 2022 term of CA Foundation examination if admission taken between 02.07.2021 to 01.01.2022.
3. Appear in Foundation Examination after appearing in the Senior Secondary (10+2) Examination.
4. Join Intermediate Course after passing class 12th and Foundation Examination.
5. Undergo Four Weeks Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft skills (ICITSS) compulsorily before commencement of Articleship.
6. Appear in Intermediate Examination on completion of 8 months of study course.
7. Join articled training after passing either of the Group or Both Groups of Intermediate Course and after successfully undergoing ICITSS.
8. Clear the balance Group (if any) of Intermediate Examination.
9. Register for CA Final Course.
10. Successfully undergo Four Weeks Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft skills (AICITSS) during the last two years of practical training but before appearing in the Final Examination.
11. Appear in the CA Final Exam on completion of the articleship training or while serving last 6 months of articled training after successful completion of AICITSS.
12. Complete articled training of 3 years.
13. Pass Final Examination.
14. Enrol as a member of the ICAI and be designated as “Chartered Accountant”.

B) Through Direct Entry route:

I. Commerce Graduates/ Post-Graduates (55%) or Other Graduates/ Post-Graduates (60%):

1. Enrol with ICAI for Intermediate Course.
2. Undergo Four Weeks ICITSS consisting of Courses on Information Technology and Orientation Course before commencement of your articleship.
3. Register for Practical Training of three years.
4. Appear in Intermediate Exam on completion of 9 months of Practical Training on first day of the month in which the examination is to be held.
5. Appear and pass in both groups of Intermediate Examination and register for Final Course.
6. Successfully undergo Four Weeks Advanced ICITSS consisting of Courses on Advanced Information Technology and Management Communication Skills (IT & MCS) during the last two years of practical training but before appearing in the Final Examination.
7. Appear in the Final Examination on completion of the practical training or while serving last 6 months of articled training after successful completion of AICITSS.
8. Complete articled training of 3 years.
9. Pass Final Examination.
10. 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. During the
period of provisional registration, the candidate can undergo and complete
ICITSS.

II. Candidates who have passed Intermediate level examination of Institute of Company Secretaries of India or Institute of Cost Accountants of India

1. Enrol with the ICAI for Intermediate Course.
2. Undergo Four Weeks ICITSS consisting of Courses on Information Technology and Orientation Course at the earliest but complete the same compulsorily before commencement of your articleship.
3. Appear in Intermediate Exam on completion of 8 months of study period.
4. Join articled training after passing either of the Group or Both Groups of Intermediate Course and after successfully undergoing ICITSS.
5. Clear the balance Group (if any) of Intermediate Examination.
6. Register for Final Course.
7. Successfully undergo Four Weeks Advanced ICITSS consisting of Courses on Advanced IT and MCS during the last two years of practical training but before appearing in the Final Examination.
8. Appear in the Final Exam on completion of articleship or while serving last 6 months of articled training.
9. Complete articled training of 3 years.
10. Pass Final Examination.
11. Enrol as a member of the ICAI and be designated as “Chartered Accountant”.

Total Cost to become Chartered Accountant in India

Details of ICAI Course Fee	Amount (₹)
Cost of Foundation Prospectus	200
CA Foundation Registration Fee	9000
CA Intermediate Registration Fee	15000
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 (IT)	7500
AICITSS – Management & Communication Skills Course (MCS)	7000
CA Final Registration Fee	22000
Total	77200
Optional payment to ICAI during CA Course:
Subscription for Students’ Journal for one year	200
Subscription for Members’ Journal for one year	400
CA Intermediate Live Virtual Classes	4000
CA Final Live Virtual Classes	4750
Four Weeks’ Residential Programme	60000
Total	69350
Optional Private Coaching Fee:
CA Foundation Coaching Fee	25000
CA Intermediate Coaching Fee	55000
CA Final Coaching Fee	70000
Total Fee	1,50,000

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.