How to Become a CA in India : Eligibility ,Career Scope
To become a Chartered Accountant, also abbreviated as CA, is the dream of thousands of students pursuing BCom and BCom (Hons) degrees. The CA course, offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, is also well-known for being extremely challenging and lucrative.
If you are someone who is aiming for CA in 2026, you will understand that this article will tell you about all that you should and should not do.
CA Exam 2026: Introduction
The Chartered Accountancy course is divided into three structured levels. Each tests your academic and practical knowledge in areas of accounting, taxation, auditing, and finance.
CA Course Highlights 2026
| Particulars | Details |
| Course Name | Chartered Accountancy (CA) |
| Exam Levels | CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, CA Final |
| Exam Type | National-level examination |
| Exam Language | English and Hindi |
| Exam Frequency (2026 onwards) | Three times a year |
| Registration Window | Open throughout the year |
CA Eligibility Criteria 2026
ICAI has prescribed certain eligibility criteria for different levels of CA courses. Now, let us understand them one by one.
Eligibility Criteria for CA Foundation 2026
In order to take the CA Foundation Examination, the student has to:
PassClass 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board
Students already in Class 12 can register for the test once they pass
ICAI offers exemptions for direct entry. Those candidates who possess a graduate or a postgraduate qualification are exempted from the CA Foundation and can appear directly for CA Intermediate.
CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria
A student gets eligibility to appear in CA Intermediate through:
Passing the CA Foundation examination, or
Direct Entry Route:
Graduation in commerce- Minimum 55% marks
Non-commerce graduates: Minimum 60% marks
CA Final Eligibility Criteria 2026
Following are the ways a student can get qualified to appear for the CA Final examination:
Clear both groups of CA Intermediate
Complete articleship training itself, which is of 2 years now.
Completion of the mandatory training programmes conducted by ICAI
Brief of Mandatory ICAI Training Requirements
Pre-Articleship:
Orientation Course (OC) – 90 hours
Information Technology Training-ITT – 90 hours
These programs will help students develop communication skills, professional ethics, and IT proficiency necessary to secure a quality article-ship opportunity.
Before Appearing for CA Final:
IT Advanced Training
MCS: Management & Communication Skills
Fees of CA Course
CA Foundation₹9,000
CA Intermediate (Both Groups) ₹18,000
CA Final (Both Groups) ₹22,000
Note: The cost of coaching and study material shall be extra.
FREE CA FOUNDATION BATCH ONLINE
CA Salary in India – Career Growth & Earnings
The second most lucrative professional course in India, Chartered Accountancy assures a great future with long-term growth.
Fresher CA Salary
A newly qualified CA can expect:
₹8–12 lakhs annually via Campus Placements by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
₹6-₹8 lakhs per annum for small firmsmid-sized companies, respectively
Mid Level CA Professionals (3-5 years of experience)
Salaries range between ₹15-20 lakhs per annum
Higher salaries for experts in taxation, M&A, finance, or investment banking
Senior-Level CA Professionals (8-15 Years of Experience)
Remuneration between ₹30–40 lakhs per annum
It includes Finance Controller, CFO, Head of Audit, or Partner for CA Firms
Multinationals and global companies sometimes provide much better packages
CA Exam how many times?
CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final Exams three times a year- (January, May and September)
Registration Guidelines:
CA Foundation: A minimum of four months of preparation prior to the month of exams
CA Intermediate: At least 8 months of study after registration
CA Final : After clearing CA intermediate exams
The registration process is facilitated through the Self-Service Portal provided by the ICAI
The students also have to comply with ICAI regulations prior to applying for exams.
CA Foundation Syllabus 2026
The CA Foundation exam comprises four papers:
Paper 1 Accounting
Paper 2 Business Laws
Paper 3 Quantitative aptitude
Paper 4 Business Economics
CA Intermediate Syllabus 2026
Group 1
Advanced Accounting
Corporate and Other Laws
Taxation-Income Tax & GST
Group 2
Cost & Management Accounting
Auditing and Ethics
Financial Management & Strategic Management (FMSM)
CA Final Syllabus 2026
Group 1
Financial Reporting (FR)
AFM stands for Advanced Financial Management.
Advanced Auditing, Assurance & Professional Ethics
Group 2
DTIT-Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation
Indirect Tax Laws (IDT)
Integrated Business Solutions Company Introduction
Final Words
CA Exam 2026 provides the young students with a proper and prestigious ladder towards attaining the goal of a successful career in accounting, finance, and corporate leadership. To be sure, the journey is pretty demanding-discipline, patience, and constant effort. Still, the reward in professional recognition and career growth makes it well worth it.
Keep yourself updated about the notifications issued by ICAI from time to time, get timely registration, and follow a principled approach toward preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
ICAI will conduct CA exams three times a year for every level.
Yes, they can register during Class 12, but you must pass before they sit for the examination.
5 to 5 years on average, if cleared in the first attempt.
A fresh CA salary ranges between ₹8-12 lakhs per annum, depending on the placement obtained.
The fees for ICAI are between ₹50,000 and ₹ 80000 excluding tuitions
No, Maths is not compulsory. Any student from any stream can opt for CA.
It is also important to learn to say ‘no’ without offending. There is enough to do without taking on
Yes, many students can manage both with effective time management.
