Last updated on September 23rd, 2026 at 07:55 pm
The CA exam known as the Chartered Accountancy examination administered by ICAI, is India’s leading professional assessment that qualifies individuals in accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management. When individuals inquire about “What is CA exam,” they are referring to a challenging, multi-phase qualification (Foundation, Inter, Final) that equips candidates for senior positions in finance and corporate sectors. It is among the most esteemed and career-defining examinations in India.
In this article, let’s explore more about Chartered accountancy, its levels and how you can crack it to become the most valued and full of knowledge individual in the accounting field.
CA exam course structure
Chartered accountancy contains of 4 stages:
The CA foundation exam covers basics of accounting, law, maths, and business. Students can attempt it after Class 12. CA intermediate includes more advanced levels with subjects in accounting, taxation, law, audit, and costing. It can be attempted after clearing Foundation or through the Direct Entry route (after graduation). CA final, focusing on high-level topics like financial reporting, strategic financial management, advanced audit, and corporate laws. After intermediate group 1 or 2 is completed candidates opt for mandatory practical training period done after clearing either both groups of Intermediate or at least one group (as per ICAI rules). Articles gain real industry experience in audit, taxation, compliance, and accounting.
Chartered Accountancy has three exam levels plus a mandatory period of practical training (articleship), all run by ICAI under its New Scheme of Education and Training.
CA Foundation covers the basics of accounting, law, maths and economics. You can register after Class 10 and appear after passing Class 12.
CA Intermediate moves to advanced accounting, law, taxation, costing, audit and financial management. You reach it either by clearing Foundation or through the Direct Entry route after graduation.
Articleship is 2 years of practical training under a practising CA. Under the new scheme you can start it only after clearing both groups of Intermediate and completing ICITSS (ICAI’s IT and soft-skills training).
CA Final is the last level, covering financial reporting, advanced financial management, audit, direct and indirect tax, and an integrated case-study paper. You also have to complete ICAI’s self-paced online modules.
What is CA Foundation exam?
CA Foundation is the entry level of Chartered Accountancy. It tests your fundamentals in accounting, business law, quantitative aptitude and economics, and it’s the route most students take straight after Class 12.
Eligibility for CA Foundation
- Register with ICAI for the Foundation course (you can register after Class 10).
- Pass Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board before appearing.Complete the minimum study period of 4 months between registration and your exam attempt.
CA Foundation exam pattern & subjects
| Paper | Subject Name | Type | Marks |
| Paper 1 | Accounting | Subjective | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Business Laws | Subjective | 100 |
| Paper 3 | Quantitative Aptitude (Business Mathematics, Logical Reasoning and Statistics) | Objective (MCQ) | 100 |
| Paper 4 | Business Economics | Objective (MCQ) | 100 |
Frequency: held three times a year — January, May and September.
CA foundation highlight:
Total marks: 400
Passing criteria: 40% in each paper and 50% overall
Mode: Offline, pen-paper
MCQ papers include negative marking (0.25 marks per wrong answer)
What is the CA Intermediate exam?
The CA Intermediate exam is the second level of the Chartered Accountancy course run by ICAI. It develops essential knowledge in accounting, taxation, law, audit, and financial management. Students must pass both Groups to move on to the CA Final level. CA Inter is seen as a significant advancement from Foundation, as it presents application-based and analytical questions that are relevant to real finance and audit jobs.
CA intermediate exam eligibility & route
1. Foundation Route (Regular Path)
You are eligible for CA Intermediate if you have:
- Clear the CA Foundation exam,
- Complete the 8-month study period from your Intermediate registration.
2. Direct Entry Route (No Foundation required)
Graduates and postgraduates can register directly for CA Intermediate if they are:
- Commerce graduates/postgraduates with 55% or above
- Non-commerce graduates/postgraduates with 60% or above
- Students who have passed CS Executive (ICSI) or CMA Intermediate (ICMAI)
Direct-entry students must complete the 8-month study period from their provisional registration before appearing for Intermediate. Articleship comes later: like every other student, you can start it only after clearing both groups and completing ICITSS.
CA intermediate exam pattern & subjects
CA intermediate level includes:
- Mode: Offline (pen and paper)
Marks per paper: 100
Question format: 30% MCQs (with 0.25 negative marking) and 70% descriptive in every paper
Passing criteria: 40% per paper and 50% aggregate per group
Frequency: held three times a year — January, May and September
| Group | Paper | Subject |
| Group 1 | Paper 1 | Advanced Accounting |
| Paper 2 | Corporate & Other Laws | |
| Paper 3 | Taxation (Income Tax + GST) | |
| Group 2 | Paper 4 | Cost and Management Accounting |
| Paper 5 | Auditing and Ethics | |
| Paper 6 | Financial Management & Strategic Management |
CA Foundation exam vs CA Intermediate exam
Deciding between CA Foundation and CA Intermediate depends on your educational background, current qualifications, and career goals. The CA Foundation is the starting point for those finishing school. CA Intermediate is the next technical level for individuals who have completed the Foundation or who are graduates. Below is a short comparison chart and a brief overview to help students choose the right path.
| Feature | CA Foundation | CA Intermediate |
| Level | Entry-level exam | Mid-level professional exam |
| Eligibility | Class 12 passed | Foundation pass or Direct Entry (Graduates) |
| Focus | Basics of accounting, law, maths | Advanced accounting, taxation, audit, finance |
| Groups | No groups | 2 Groups (Group 1 & 2) |
| Subjects | 4 papers | 6 papers (2 groups of 3) |
| Exam Type | 2 subjective + 2 MCQ papers | 70% descriptive + 30% MCQ in every paper |
| Frequency | Jan, May, Sep | Jan, May, Sep |
| Purpose | Tests fundamentals | Prepares for articleship + practical work |
| Pass Rate | 20% | Group I 10.25%, Group II 16.11%, both groups 8.47% |
| Next Step | CA Intermediate | Articleship (after both groups + ICITSS), then CA Final |
What is the CA Final exam?
CA Final is the last level of Chartered Accountancy. It tests you at the level expected of a practising professional: complex reporting, audit judgement, tax planning and cross-subject case analysis.
CA Final eligibility
- Pass both groups of CA Intermediate
- Complete (or be near completing) your 2-year articleship, as per ICAI’s current eligibility rules
- Complete Advanced ICITSS
- Clear all four self-paced online modules
CA Final papers
| Group | Paper | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Paper 1 | Financial Reporting |
| Paper 2 | Advanced Financial Management | |
| Paper 3 | Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics | |
| Group 2 | Paper 4 | Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation |
| Paper 5 | Indirect Tax Laws | |
| Paper 6 | Integrated Business Solutions (multidisciplinary case study) |
Paper 6 is the one that surprises students. It isn’t a subject paper — it’s a case study that pulls together reporting, audit, tax, law, costing, strategy and ESG, and it rewards structured cross-subject thinking over memorised theory.
Self-paced modules
There are four sets. Sets A and B are compulsory, and you choose your own subjects for C and D. You can complete them online during articleship.
Passing criteria and frequency
You need 40% per paper and 50% aggregate per group. From May 2026, ICAI holds CA Final twice a year, in May and November. The January session has been discontinued.
Pass rates show how demanding this level is: in May 2026, 12% passed Group I, 20.49% passed Group II, and 14.07% of candidates attempting both groups passed.
CA exam schedule, registration & fees
1.Main exam windows: May and September each year (ICAI publishes timetables for both sessions).
2.Typical pattern: Foundation / Intermediate / Final papers spread across several days in the chosen month; ICAI posts exact dates and city masters well before the exam.
3.Note: Occasionally ICAI issues postponements/rescheduling for specific centers or regions for security/logistical reasons, always check the Announcements page before the exam.
How to register (step-by-step)
- Foundation and Intermediate: three sessions a year — January, May and September.
- CA Final: twice a year — May and November (from May 2026 onwards).
- Current cycle: Foundation and Intermediate exams were held in September 2026; CA Final runs 2–13 November 2026. The next Foundation and Intermediate session is January 2027 — check ICAI’s announcements page for form dates. [VERIFY Jan 2027 dates when released]
- ICAI occasionally reschedules papers for specific centres or regions, so always check the announcements page before your exam.
Fee structure
CA course fees (ICAI)
Level Registration fee Exam fee (per attempt) CA Foundation ₹9,000 ₹1,500 CA Intermediate ₹15,000–₹18,000 depending on groups ₹2,700 (both groups) ICITSS (IT + Orientation) ~₹13,500 — CA Final ₹22,000 ₹3,300 (both groups) Exam fees are for the September/November 2026 cycle at Indian centres. A late fee of ₹600 applies after the regular window closes. Fees differ for overseas centres, and ICAI publishes a fresh fee chart each session — always confirm before paying.
In total, ICAI’s own fees across all three levels come to roughly ₹70,000–₹80,000, before coaching and books.
CA exam key dates & timelines you should track
Registration windows: announced by ICAI about 2 months before each session
Admit card: usually released 1–3 weeks before the exam
Results: typically 6–8 weeks after the last paper
Updated Application Guidelines 2026 For CA Exam
ICAI September & November 2026 Exam Hub:
How to prepare for each CA exam level
CA preparation takes a lot of dedication and planning and passion for the learning you have opted for having patience on this. Make a plan on how you are going to study and what to prioritize and what not. We have provided you with a full plan and way of study.
Is CA Tough?
Pass rates tell the real story. In May 2026, 20.09% passed Foundation, 8.47% cleared both Intermediate groups together, and 14.07% cleared both Final groups together. Most students need more than one attempt at some level — plan for that from day one.
Read: Is CA Tough?
Author: Shrishti Harchandani, CA
“The most important thing is to have clarity about which books to refer to and the amount of time to be devoted to each topic. CA demands a lot of hard work and smart work at the same time. The syllabus is quite vast. You should know the topics technicality level as well as relevance (in terms of marks) . Various authors like Pankaj garg have given weightage of marks from each topic”
Best Books for CA Exams 2026
Recommended books for CA Foundation, CA Intermediate and CA Final, organised paper-wise for easier comparison.
| CA Level | Subject / Paper | Recommended Books & Authors |
|---|---|---|
| CA Foundation | ||
| Foundation | Paper 1 – Accounting |
|
| Foundation | Paper 2 – Business Laws |
|
| Foundation | Paper 3 – Quantitative Aptitude |
|
| Foundation | Paper 4 – Business Economics |
|
| CA Intermediate | ||
| Intermediate | Paper 1 – Advanced Accounting |
|
| Intermediate | Paper 2 – Corporate and Other Laws |
|
| Intermediate | Paper 3 – Taxation |
|
| Intermediate | Paper 4 – Cost and Management Accounting |
|
| Intermediate | Paper 5 – Auditing and Ethics |
|
| Intermediate | Paper 6 – Financial Management and Strategic Management |
|
| CA Final | ||
| Final | Paper 1 – Financial Reporting |
|
| Final | Paper 2 – Advanced Financial Management (AFM) |
|
| Final | Paper 3 – Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics |
|
| Final | Paper 4 – Integrated Business Solutions (IBS) |
|
| Final | Paper 5 – Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation |
|
| Final | Paper 6 – Indirect Tax Laws |
|
Source:Foundation Exam,Intermediate Exam Final Exam
CA exam passing & difficulty
Check this article out for CA passing and difficulty:
Take Your CA Journey Further
The Chartered Accountancy examination in India is seen as one of the most respected and rewarding professional credentials. It offers a clear path that includes Foundation, Intermediate, Articleship, and Final stages. This journey demands hard work and dedication. However, the long-term benefits, such as job security, high income potential, and opportunities in audit, taxation, finance, consulting, and corporate fields, make it very worthwhile for motivated students.
The eligibility requirements, updated exam formats, and predictable schedules provided by the ICAI make the CA route in 2026 more organized and supportive for students than ever. Whether you start right after completing Class 12 or choose the Direct Entry option, the key to success is planning ahead, understanding the syllabus, and following a smart study plan.
If you aim to build a strong career in finance, the CA qualification remains one of the best professional options available in India.
FAQ
The CA exam qualifies candidates to become Chartered Accountants who can work in audit, taxation, accounting, finance, compliance, and consulting. It enables careers in Big 4 firms, corporates, banking, and independent practice.
Students who have passed Class 12 can appear for CA Foundation. Graduates with 55% (commerce) or 60% (other streams), and students who have passed CS Executive or CMA Intermediate, can enter directly at CA Intermediate.
CA is challenging due to its vast syllabus and low pass percentages, but it is achievable with consistent study, strong concepts, and regular revision. Strategy matters more than intelligence.
Many students find Advanced Accounting, Taxation, and Audit the most difficult because they require depth, conceptual clarity, and strong application skills, especially under time pressure.
Foundation and Intermediate are held three times a year (January, May, September). CA Final is held twice a year (May and November) from May 2026.
2 years under the new scheme, down from 3. You can start only after clearing both Intermediate groups and completing ICITSS.
ICAI’s registration and exam fees total roughly ₹70,000–₹80,000 across all three levels, excluding coaching and study material.
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A CFA charterholder with hands-on experience across investment analysis and finance education. At MentorMeCareers, he writes and reviews content on CFA, financial modeling, and investment banking careers — grounded in real market data rather than generic advice, and shaped by what actually helps candidates and professionals succeed.
