CA Course Duration: Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus & Salary 2026
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) governs the CA programme, releasing category-wise eligibility criteria and final merit lists for admission. The CA Course Duration spans a structured pathway of Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels, with the authority determining the exact timeline based on candidate performance. Candidates must qualify the Foundation exam with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks to commence the Intermediate stage, while the Direct Entry route allows Commerce graduates with at least 55% marks and Non-commerce graduates with 60% marks to bypass the Foundation level entirely. The registration fee for the CA Foundation is Rs. 9,000, with total fees amounting to Rs. 11,300 or $1,105, and a late fee of ₹600 applies for registrations submitted after the deadline for the September 2026 cycle.
C A Course Duration at a Glance
This article provides a clear overview of the CA Foundation course duration and structure for students who have completed Class 12. The CA Foundation course serves as the entry-level stage of the Chartered Accountancy program, with a standard duration of three years from registration to qualification. Students must complete the required papers, training, and exams within this timeframe to progress to the next level of the CA curriculum.
| Duration Type | Time Period |
|---|---|
| CA Foundation Course Duration | 3 years |
| CA Foundation Registration Validity | 3 years |
| CA Course Duration after Class 12 | 4 to 4.5 years |
| CA Course Duration after Graduation | 3 to 3.5 years |
| CA Intermediate Study Period | 8 months |
| CA Practical Training (Articleship) | 2 years |
The table above outlines the key time periods associated with each stage of the CA course, from Foundation through Final qualification.
C A Course Duration Eligibility Criteria 2026
This section covers the CA Intermediate exam structure, eligibility requirements, and registration timeline for the 2026 attempt. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India conducts this national-level exam twice annually in a pen-and-paper format.
| Exam Name | CA Intermediate Exam |
|---|---|
| Exam conducting body | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| Mode of exam | Pen and Paper-based |
| Frequency | Thrice a year |
| Group | 2 |
| Level of exam | National level |
| No. of Papers | 6 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Medium of Exam | English/ Hindi |
The table above outlines the core CA Intermediate exam structure for 2026, showing six papers administered over three hours each in English or Hindi medium.
C A Course Duration Entrance Exams 2026
This section covers the CA 2026 course structure under the new ICAI scheme, including how long the program takes to complete and the training period required for qualification. The new scheme reduces articleship duration and offers multiple exam sittings per year.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) |
| Exam Frequency | Proposed: Three Times a Year – January, May, September (subject to ICAI confirmation) |
| Levels | Foundation, Intermediate, Final |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration per Paper | 3 Hours |
| Language | English / Hindi (as applicable) |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Minimum Qualification | Class 12 (for Foundation) |
| Course Duration | Approx. 3.5 – 4 Years (via Foundation Route) |
| Articleship Training | 2 Years (reduced from 3 Years in old scheme) |
The table shows that the CA course now takes approximately 3.5 to 4 years via the Foundation route, with articleship training reduced to 2 years under the new scheme.
C A Course Duration Fees in India
This section provides a detailed breakdown of the ICAI CA Course Fees structure for 2026, covering registration, exam, and additional costs for Indian students pursuing the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels. It includes the latest fee tables and approximate total costs excluding coaching.
| ICAI CA Course Fees | Indian Student | Foreign Student |
|---|---|---|
| ICAI CA Foundation | ₹11,300 | $1105 |
| ICAI CA Intermediate (Single group) | ₹28,000 | $925 |
| ICAI CA Intermediate (Both groups) | ₹34,200 | $1500 |
| ICAI CA Intermediate (Direct Entry) | ₹34,400 | $1500 |
| CA Articleship Fee | ₹2,000 | – |
| ICAI CA Final | ₹22,000 | $1650 |
The table above presents the ICAI CA Course Fees for 2026 across all levels, showing the fee difference between Indian and foreign students for Foundation, Intermediate, and Final courses.
C A Course Duration Syllabus and Subjects
The Chartered Accountancy program spans multiple stages, with CA Foundation serving as the entry point for students who have completed 10+2, followed by Intermediate and Final levels that require articleship and advanced papers to qualify.
| ICAI CA Exams | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Chartered Accountancy (CA) exam |
| Exam Conducting body | ICAI |
| Exam Mode | Computer based test mode |
| Exam Levels | – CA Foundation – CA Intermediate – CA Final |
| Number of papers | – CA Foundation: 4 – CA Intermediate: 6 – CA Final: 6 |
| Frequency | – CA Foundation: Thrice a Year – CA Intermediate: Thrice a Year – CA Final: Twice a Year |
| Level of Difficulty | Moderate to tough |
| Number of attempts | Multiple |
The table above outlines the structure of the CA exam across its three levels, showing the number of papers, frequency of exams, and overall difficulty level candidates face throughout the journey.
C A Course Duration Specialisations
This section covers the CA course duration across all qualification levels, from foundation to final certification, and the available specialisations within the programme.
| Level | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 6 months | Basic introduction and eligibility test |
| Intermediate | 1 year | Two groups with advanced subjects |
| Articleship | 2 years | Practical training under a CA |
| Final | 6-12 months | Advanced specialization stage |
The table shows that total CA qualification spans 3.5 to 5 years, with articleship forming the core practical component alongside theoretical study.
Top C A Course Duration Colleges in India
This section presents the top 100 National Institutional Ranking Framework engineering colleges in India, ordered by their 2026 scores to help you compare institutions for admission planning.
| Rank | College Name | City | State | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 88.72 |
| 2 | Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | New Delhi | Delhi | 85.74 |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 83.65 |
| 4 | Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Uttar Pradesh | 81.82 |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | Kharagpur | West Bengal | 78.69 |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Roorkee | Uttarakhand | 75.44 |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad | Hyderabad | Telangana | 72.31 |
| 8 | Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati | Guwahati | Assam | 72.24 |
| 9 | National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | Tamil Nadu | 68.14 |
| 10 | Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi | Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 67.24 |
The table ranks the top 100 NIRF engineering colleges by score, with Indian Institute of Technology Madras leading at 88.72 and the tenth-ranked institute at 67.24.
C A Course Duration Salary and Career Scope
This section covers the CA course duration, salary expectations for freshers and experienced professionals, and the career scope available after qualification. It explains how the program is structured across foundation, intermediate, articleship, and final stages, and details the financial rewards at each career level.
| Career Stage | Monthly Income | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Articleship Stipend | ₹4,000 – ₹10,000 | ₹50,000 – ₹1.2 LPA |
| CA Fresher Salary | ₹50,000 – ₹90,000 | ₹6 – ₹10 LPA |
| Senior Accountant | ₹1 lakh – ₹1.8 lakh | ₹12 – ₹20 LPA |
| Finance Manager | ₹2 lakh – ₹3 lakh | ₹24 – ₹35 LPA |
| CA Partner Salary India | ₹4 lakh – ₹10 lakh | ₹50+ LPA |
This table illustrates the steady salary growth from articleship stipend through to partnership earnings, highlighting the long-term financial potential of the qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Total Duration of the Ca Course Across All Levels in India?
The CA course in India typically takes 3.5 to 5 years to complete across all levels, including Foundation, Intermediate, Articleship, and Final.
How Many Years Does It Take to Complete Ca After Passing Class 12?
The minimum duration to complete CA after Class 12 is 4.5 years, covering Foundation, Intermediate, articleship, and Final levels. The full journey typically takes 4 to 4.5 years, with multiple attempts potentially extending it to 5–6 years.
What Is the New Ca Course Duration Scheme Effective from 2026?
The new CA course duration scheme effective from 2026 reduces the total duration to 42 months, a 6-month reduction from the current 48 months, with Foundation having four papers, and Intermediate and Final each having six papers.
Can a Student Pursue Ca Course Immediately After Class 10, and What Is the Duration?
Yes, students can register provisionally after Class 10 but must complete Class 12 before appearing for exams; the full course duration is typically 4.5 to 5 years after Class 12, including Articleship training.
How Does the Ca Course Duration Compare Between the Foundation and Intermediate Levels?
The CA Foundation course lasts 4 months, while the Intermediate level typically spans 4.5 years, including articleship training.
What Is the Minimum Time Required to Become a Chartered Accountant in India?
The minimum time to become a Chartered Accountant in India is 3.5 years after completing 12th grade, provided all exams are cleared on the first attempt. The full journey typically ranges from 4 to 5 years, including practical training and.
