CA Course Full Details 2026: Eligibility, Fees, Duration, Salary, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and more

The Chartered Accountancy (CA) course in India is conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. It is a structured professional program designed to build expertise in accounting, taxation, auditing, financial reporting, and corporate law.

This article provides a complete, structured breakdown of the CA course covering all essential aspects required for long-term relevance and search visibility.

CA Course Overview

• Course Name: Chartered Accountancy (CA)
• Conducting Authority: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
• Course Levels: 3 (Foundation, Intermediate, Final)
• Duration: 3.5 to 5 years
• Training Requirement: Mandatory Articleship
• Exams Frequency: Multiple times per year
• Recognition: India-wide with global acceptance

The CA course includes academic exams, practical training, and professional certification .

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Structure of CA Course

The CA course is divided into three levels, followed by mandatory training and certification.

1. CA Foundation

Entry Level of CA Course

Eligibility:

• After Class 12 (any stream)

Subjects:

1. Accounting
2. Business Laws
3. Quantitative Aptitude
4. Business Economics

Exam Details:

• Total Marks: 400
• Passing Criteria:
  • Minimum 40 marks in each subject
  • Minimum 50% aggregate

2. CA Intermediate

Second Level of CA Course

Eligibility:

• CA Foundation pass OR
• Direct Entry route (graduates/postgraduates)

Groups:

• Group 1: 3 Subjects
• Group 2: 3 Subjects

Subjects (Broad Areas):

• Accounting
• Corporate Laws
• Costing
• Taxation
• Auditing
• Financial Management

Attempt Options:

• Single group
• Both groups together

3. CA Final

Final Level of CA Course

Eligibility:

• CA Intermediate cleared
• Articleship completed

Subjects (Advanced Level):

• Financial Reporting
• Strategic Financial Management
• Advanced Auditing
• Corporate Laws
• Direct Tax Laws
• Indirect Tax Laws

Articleship Training

• Duration: 2 years
• Mandatory practical training
• Conducted under a practicing CA or CA firm

Stipend Range:

• ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 per month

Nature of Work:

• Audit assignments
• Tax filing
• Compliance work
• Financial reporting

CA Course Duration

Minimum Duration: ~3.5 to 4.5 years
Typical Duration: 4 to 5 years

Eligibility Criteria

Route 1: After Class 12

• Register for CA Foundation
• No minimum percentage requirement
• All streams eligible

Route 2: Direct Entry

• Commerce Graduates: Minimum 55%
• Non-Commerce Graduates: Minimum 60%
• Direct admission to CA Intermediate

CA Course Fees

ICAI Registration Fees

• Foundation + Intermediate + Final: ₹85,000 – ₹90,000 (approx.)

Coaching Fees (Optional)

• Foundation: ₹10,000 – ₹20,000
• Intermediate: ₹20,000 – ₹40,000
• Final: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000

Total Cost

• ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh (depending on coaching choices)

As reflected in current search summaries, CA course fees typically range around ₹1–1.5 lakh overall .

CA Exam Pattern

• Exams conducted multiple times per year
• Written examination format

Passing Criteria:

• Minimum 40% in each subject
• Minimum 50% overall aggregate

CA Course Syllabus (Core Areas)

• Financial Accounting
• Corporate and Business Laws
• Cost and Management Accounting
• Taxation (Direct & Indirect)
• Auditing and Assurance
• Financial Management
• Economics

Steps to Become a Chartered Accountant

1. Register for CA Foundation
2. Clear CA Foundation Exam
3. Register for CA Intermediate
4. Complete ICITSS Training
5. Clear CA Intermediate (both groups)
6. Start Articleship (2 years)
7. Complete AICITSS Training
8. Clear CA Final Exam
9. Apply for ICAI Membership

CA Salary in India

Freshers

• ₹6 LPA to ₹15 LPA

Mid-Level

• ₹15 LPA to ₹30 LPA

Senior Level

• ₹30 LPA to ₹1 Cr+

Salary depends on:

• Skills
• Experience
• Firm exposure
• Industry

Career Options After CA

• Chartered Accountant (Practice)
• Auditor
• Tax Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• CFO / Finance Head
• Investment Banking
• Corporate Finance

Key Features of CA Course

• Professional certification with statutory authority
• Mandatory practical training
• Strong demand in finance and compliance sectors
• High career growth potential
• Applicable across industries

CA Course Recognition

• Recognized across India
• Accepted in multiple international markets
• Relevant in corporate, consulting, and financial sectors

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the duration of CA course?
3.5 to 5 years

2. Can non-commerce students do CA?
Yes

3. Is maths compulsory?
No

4. What is the passing criteria?
40% per subject and 50% overall

5. What is the starting salary?
₹6–15 LPA

Conclusion

The CA course is a structured professional program with three levels, mandatory training, and a defined pathway to certification. It combines academic learning with practical exposure and leads to career opportunities across accounting, finance, taxation, and auditing sectors.