ICAI CA New Scheme 2025: Updated Syllabus, Passing Criteria & Guide to Become CA

ICAI New Scheme of Education and Training: Chartered Accountancy or CA is a highly sought after career option. It is financially lucrative and at the same time difficult to crack. Any new candidate who wants to become a Chartered Accountant should note that the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) has released a new scheme of education and training for CA which has become effective from July 1, 2023. The first exam under the new scheme was conducted in May 2024. The ICAI new scheme of education and training is being followed since that session and the old scheme has been discontinued. The ICAI new syllabus is applicable for all the three levels of the CA exam - CA Foundation, CA Intermediate and CA Final. Details about the new CA syllabus were announced on July 1, 2023. Read the complete article to know about the ICAI new scheme of education and the path to become a CA.

What is ICAI New Scheme of Education?

The ICAI has devised a CA Final new scheme and CA Inter new scheme to streamline the CA course as per the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP) and international education standards. ICAI’s new scheme was notified on 22nd June, 2023 in the Gazette of India impacting anyone who wants to pursue the dream of becoming a CA. The upcoming CA May 2025 exams will be conducted as per the ICAI new scheme of education and training.

Old Scheme Vs New Scheme Comparison Table

Given below is a table that provides an overview of the difference between the ICAI new scheme and old scheme.

New Scheme of ICAI: Important Dates

Given below are important dates for the implementation of the new education scheme of ICAI

Becoming a CA Under New ICAI Scheme

The new ICAI scheme lays out the steps to becoming a CA. The CA course consists of three levels namely.

• CA Foundation level,

• CA Intermediate level

• CA Final

There are two ways to become eligible for the CA Intermediate course

• One is by completing the CA foundation course

• The other is through the direct route.

Candidates who have completed 12th grade can register themselves for the CA Foundation exam. On the other hand, graduates can directly register themselves for the CA Intermediate level. The intermediate course is referred to as the study course of Chartered Accountancy.

Let’s look at the eligibility criteria and other details for each level of the ICAI new course that will act as a reference guide to become a CA.

CA Foundation Course

A candidate should register with the Board of Studies in order to register for the CA course. One can do so after clearing the 10th Std examination. However, in order to appear for the CA foundation course, a candidate must have completed 4 months of study period and also appeared for the 12th std examination. The candidates will then become eligible to appear for the January, May or September of the CA foundation exam.

CA Foundation New Syllabus

ICAI has notified the new syllabus for CA Foundation course on July, 1 2023.

The new syllabus has the following papers:

The old syllabus of CA foundation exam consists of four papers

Once candidates clear the 12th examination and the foundation exam, they become eligible to register for the intermediate course. As per the new scheme, to clear the CA Foundation exam a candidate must score a minimum 40% marks in each paper and an aggregate of 50% in all four papers

Direct Route

Another route to become eligible for registration for the intermediate course is the direct route which one can opt after graduation or after clearing the Intermediate level exam of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India or Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

Direct Entry Route Eligibility Overview

CA Intermediate Course

The second step in the CA exam is the CA Inter program.

CA Intermediate New Syllabus

As per the new CA intermediate syllabus released on July 1, 2023 by ICAI, the following 6 papers are included in it

The old Intermediate exam syllabus of CA comprised of eight papers divided into two groups

The new CA scheme specifies that candidates can appear for the CA Intermediate Exam if they satisfy the following requirements:

• Candidates have to register themselves with the Board of Studies. Candidates who joined through the CA Foundation route are already registered with BoS so they can skip this condition

• Candidates have to complete a study period of 8 months and produce a certificate in that regard as stipulated by the ICAI council.

On fulfilment of the above conditions, a candidate can appear for the exam. The registration for the intermediate course is valid for a period of 10 years after which the candidate needs to revalidate the registration for another period of 10 years. Presently, the CA Intermediate exam is held thrice a year - January, May and September.

The candidate would have passed the CA Intermediate exam on fulfilling the conditions mentioned below:

• Candidate clears all the papers from Group 1 and Group 2 in one sitting with a minimum score of 40% in each of the papers and 50% in aggregate of all the papers.

Also Read: CPA Salary in India - Job Opportunities, Roles & Responsibilities

CA Final Course

Once candidates clear the second level of the CA course, they can register for the CA final level.

Before appearing for the CA Final exam, candidates have to fulfil the following conditions.

• Complete Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) after registration for Intermediate course but before commencement of Practical Training (PT)

• Undergo a practical training (PT) of two years as per Regulation 50 of the Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Regulations, 2023. Earlier this training period was of three years which has been reduced under the new scheme.

• After completion of the practical training but before appearing for the CA final examination, candidates also have to undergo an Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills for such duration as specified by the ICAI Council.

• Also, a candidate needs to complete the self-paced online learning modules with a minimum of 50% marks after completing the CA Intermediate exam but before appearing for the CA Final exam.

The self paced learning modules consists of the following.

Candidates can appear in the CA Final exam six months after completion of the Practical Training. Presently, the CA Final exam is held twice a year - May/June and November/December.

CA Final New Syllabus

As per the new syllabus notified on July 1, 2023 the new CA Final syllabus comprises of the following papers:

The old syllabus of the CA Final exam consisted of the following papers:

Once the candidate clears all the papers with a minimum of 40% marks in individual papers and scores 50% in aggregate, they will be said to have passed the CA Final examination. They can apply for membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and qualify to become a Chartered Accountant.

Business Accounting Certificate (BAC)

Additionally, before appearing for the CA Final exam, a candidate can also apply for a Business Accounting Certificate (BAC) if they meet the following conditions:

• Clear both Group 1 and Group 2 exams of the CA Inter level

• Complete the Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills

• Completes the practical training as laid down in the CA regulations

• Completes the self paced learning modules

Upon earning the certificate, the candidate can proceed to appear for the CA Final exam.