CA Course Full Details 2026 | CA Overview, Eligibility, Duration, Fees, Salary | CA Kaise Bane?

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Has decided to conduct the CA exam thrice a year for all the levels, CA foundation, CA inter and CA final. CA Foundation is the first level of exam and can be attempted immediately after completion of Class 12. 

After clearing CA Foundation, you can proceed to the Intermediate level, and graduates can target the coveted CA Final qualification from there. CA Final is known as a postgraduate-level qualification and has recognition from the University Grant Commission (UGC).

CA Exam 2026 Overview

The table below gives an overview of the CA Exam 2026.

CA Eligibility Criteria 2026

The ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) has various criteria for all the levels of examinations. CA Foundation is the first step, CA Inter is the second, and CA Final is the third and final step. 

Let’s now see the eligibility criteria of each level of the CA course:

CA Foundation Eligibility Criteria 2026

To qualify for the CA Foundation exam, you must have completed Class 12 OR An equivalent qualification with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized institution or school. Even if you are studying in Class 12, you can try your luck for the CA Foundation exam. 

Also, ICAI offers exemptions for candidates with certain qualifications such as a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree. If you possess one of these qualifications, you are eligible for direct admission to the CA Intermediate course.

CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria 2026

If you’ve cleared your Foundation exams , you are eligible to sit for the  CA Intermediate. For admission into CA Intermediate directly, one should possess a bachelor’s degree in commerce-related stream with a minimum of 55% marks. If your bachelor’s degree is in any other stream, then you need at least 60% marks.

CA Final Eligibility Criteria 2026

Eligibility for appearing for the CA Final exam is available to those who have cleared the CA Intermediate examination or the Professional Education Examination – II/PCC/IPCC. They should have also completed, or in the process of completing, a minimum of 2/3 years of article training by the date of submission of the form.

CA Fees Structure:

CA Salary

A Chartered Accountant (CA) is one of the most respected and rewarding professions in India. The salary of a CA depends on factors like skills, experience, industry, job role, and whether they are working in practice or in employment with a company.

Fresher Salary:

A newly qualified CA in India usually earns between ₹8 to ₹12 lakhs per annum if placed through campus recruitment in reputed firms or companies. In smaller firms, the starting salary may be lower, around ₹6 to ₹8 lakhs per annum, but it grows with experience.

Mid-level Professionals:

Most CAs, having acquired 3–5 years of experience, receive around ₹15 to ₹20 lakhs annually. Professionals in specialized domains like mergers & acquisitions, international taxation, or investment banking tend to receive higher packages.

Senior Level:

CAs with 8–15 years of experience, particularly those who are Finance Managers, Controllers, or CFOs, take home between ₹30 lakhs to ₹40 lakhs annually. In big corporates and MNCs, the salary goes even higher.

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Top Jobs:

CAs who shift to top-level positions such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or Partner in Big 4 companies may earn ₹50 lakhs to ₹1 crore+ annually. Independent practicing CAs who have a heavy client base may also command very high salaries, based on their company’s size.

Other Factors:

Metro city-based CAs such as those in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore earn more than smaller towns.

Specializations in GST, IFRS, financial modeling, or international taxation can enhance salary opportunities.

Big 4 companies (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG) tend to pay better packages than mid-tier companies.

Time to clear CA:

On average, it would take around 5 years to get through the CA exam in India if a student clears all three levels at first attempt.

Students joining after Class 12 typically complete in 4.5 to 5 years (Foundation → Intermediate → 3 years Articleship → Final).

Students who enter via the Direct Entry (after graduation) path can complete in approximately 4 years.

But since most students take additional attempts at Intermediate or Final, the typical duration is 5–7 years to be a Chartered Accountant.

CA Exam Registration 2026

ICAI will conduct the CA Final, Intermediate, and Foundation course exams three times a year in January/June, September, and January.
Students must be enrolled with the Board of Studies of the Institute for at least four months till the first date of the exam month and fulfil other conditions laid down in Regulation 25F to be eligible for the Foundation course exam.

For the exam of Intermediate course, students need to be registered with the Board of Studies and have studied for at least eight months up to the first day of the exam month, subject to satisfying other requirements under Regulation 28G. For registration, go to the Self-Service Portal at https://eservices.icai.org/. 

CA Foundation Syllabus 2026 as per institute notifications

Syllabus for the CA Foundation exam is stated paper wise below:

CA Intermediate Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for the CA Intermediate exam is given in the table below:

CA Final Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for the CA Final exam is given in the table below:

CA Exam Dates 2026

Check all the important dates regarding CA Exam 2026 and CA Exam Dates in the table below:

Final words 

The CA Exam 2026 is a significant achievement for students wishing to be Chartered Accountants. The exam is now conducted 3 times for the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels. There are separate rules, subjects, and preparation time for each level. 

Candidates have to verify eligibility, enroll on time, and prepare thoroughly for every stage. CA course requires hard work and systematic study, but clearing it can be a wonderful career in accounting and finance. Stay updated through the ICAI website and follow all the deadlines carefully to succeed in your CA journey.

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