The Chartered Accountancy (CA) course is considered to be one of the most reputed and demanding professional courses in India, and many students want to study it immediately after passing their class 12 board exams, mainly if they are interested in accounting, taxation, and finance.
CA Intermediate is the second phase of becoming a CA. It is a crucial phase where students study a variety of topics such as accounting, law, taxation, cost accounting, and management.
In this blog post, we are going to tell you everything that you need to know about the CA Intermediate course, such as eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, etc., and the fees, as well as the career opportunities. This guide is for you if you are going to pursue a career as a chartered accountant.
What is CA Intermediate?
CA Intermediate is the second level of the CA course, which is conducted by ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India).
- CA Intermediate helps students to excel in accounting, taxation, auditing, financial management, and law in excellent depth.
- It is more challenging than the CA Foundation but less challenging than the CA Final.
- You need to clear the CA Intermediate to advance to the subsequent phase: CA Final.
There are three phases in the CA course:
- CA Foundation—Foundation level, after 12th
- CA Intermediate—second level, after Foundation or graduation
- CA Final—the final stage, after Intermediate and articleship
Eligibility Criteria
There are two ways to join CA Intermediate:
CA Foundation Route
- Initially, you have to do the CA Foundation course after 12th.
- Once you clear the Foundation with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks, you can enroll for CA Intermediate.
2. Direct Entry Route
This is for candidates who are already graduates:
- Commerce graduates: Should have at least 55% marks
- Non-commerce graduates: Should have at least 60% marks
- Students who have passed CMA Intermediate or CS Executive are directly eligible for CA Intermediate.
If you’re a 12th-pass student, you are primarily eligible through the CA Foundation route.
Start Your CA Intermediate Journey with Xylem Today
Join India’s leading CA coaching institute and prepare with expert mentors.
Join NowRegistration Process
This is how you can register for CA Intermediate:
- Visit the official ICAI website: www.icai.org
- Click on “Student” → “Course Registration.”
- Fill the online form with your details
- Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, marksheet, etc.)
- Pay the registration fee online
- You will receive a confirmation email and study material
Key Deadlines:
- CA Attempts – January, May, September
Syllabus Overview
The CA Intermediate consists of 6 subjects, divided into two groups.
Group – I
- Contents
- Paper – 1: Advanced Accounting
- Paper – 2: Corporate and Other Laws
- Paper – 3: Taxation
- Paper – 3A: Income Tax Law
- Paper – 3B: GST
Group – II
- Contents
- Paper – 4: Cost and Management Accounting
- Paper – 5: Auditing and Ethics
- Paper – 6: Financial Management and Strategic Management
- Paper – 6A: Financial Management
- Paper – 6B: Strategic Management
You can write about both groups together or one group at a time.
Duration and Validity
After you register for CA Intermediate, you must wait at least 8 months to appear for the exam. This leaves you with sufficient time for preparation and studies.
Your CA Intermediate registration is valid for 4 years. In case it expires, you may revalidate it by paying a nominal fee and pursuing your studies.
Fee Structure
- CA Foundation Route Fees
Both Groups: 18,000
Single Group: 13,000
- Additional fee for Orientation Course (OC) and IT Training: approximately ₹6,500
- Direct Entry Route Fees
- Same fees for registration as the Foundation route.
- Additional fee for Orientation Course (OC) and IT Training: approximately ₹6,500
- Articleship Registration Fee: ₹2,000
Payment is made online, and fees are usually non-refundable.
Exam Pattern
Total papers: 6 (3 in each group)
- Each paper: 100 marks (30 marks – objective – MCQ, 70 marks descriptive)
- Passing marks: 40 in each subject, 50% overall in a group
- Negative marking: no negative marking
- Exam Mode: Offline (pen and paper)
Career Path After CA Intermediate
Once you pass the CA Intermediate, you can pursue articleship and then CA Final, or even join a job position to develop work experience.
Typical Job Positions:
- Accounts Executive
- Tax Assistant
- Audit Assistant
- Finance Analyst
Work Areas:
You can be employed in CA firms, MNCs, private sector companies, or even government agencies. Most students take up part-time jobs during articleship.
Salary:
The salary of CA Inter passed students ranges between ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month, depending on the location and company. CA Final-qualified professionals can earn ₹7-20 LPA or more, depending on their skillset and company.
Important Dates and Deadlines
| Activity | For Jan Attempt | For May Attempt | For Sep Attempt |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Registration Deadline
|
1st May (previous year) |
1st September (previous year) |
1st January (current year) |
|
Exam Form Submission |
Oct – Nov |
Feb – Mar |
June – July |
|
Admit Card Release |
December |
April |
August |
|
Result Declaration |
March
|
July |
November |
This varies according to the declaration by ICAI.
Tips for Success
Here are some simple tips to help you prepare better:
- Start early and make a study schedule. Allow sufficient time for each subject.
- Make use of the study material of ICAI as your sole source. It is enough to pass the exam.
- Practice from RTPs (Revision Test Papers), mock tests, and last year’s papers.
- Concept clarity is more important than memorization.
- If you face problems in self-study, approach a good coaching class for assistance.
Conclusion
The CA Intermediate course is a turning point for all CA aspirants. It strengthens your knowledge and skills for a successful career in accounting and finance.
If you have recently passed 12th, do not delay. Start with the CA Foundation and go ahead to prepare for the CA Intermediate. With determination and continuous study, you can be a successful chartered accountant.
FAQ
CA Intermediate is the second stage in the Chartered Accountancy journey. It helps you to go deeper into key subjects such as accounting, taxation, auditing, and law, preparing you for the final stage and your professional life.
You can be part of it by clearing the CA Foundation exam or by the Direct Entry scheme if you’re a graduate with the specified marks. It’s registered online on the ICAI website.
Yes! Xylem provides some of the best online classes for CA Intermediate with expert teachers who teach in an easy-to-understand way and assist you at every step.
Yes! Xylem’s YouTube channel has plenty of free online classes for CA intermediate, where you can learn critical topics at your own convenience without spending a single rupee.
The CA Intermediate exam consists of 6 papers divided into two groups, each being 100 marks. You can opt to write one group or both together.
Xylem classes are designed keeping you in mind—easy explanations, a lot of examples, and practice questions. The faculty ensures you grasp everything and are confident for the exams.
Although you can study by yourself, classes for the CA intermediate are very helpful. It clarifies difficult topics, keeps you going, and provides you with an opportunity to practice exam questions.
Yes! After passing both groups of CA Intermediate, you can start your articleship, which involves working under a qualified chartered accountant on a practical basis.
Xylem provides professional CA intermediate classes and free videos on YouTube, which are perfect for clearing doubts and simplifying concepts. Their approachable nature of teaching makes learning simple and fun.
Yes! You can find CA Intermediate online classes on many platforms. Xylem, a well-known CA coaching institute, provides simple online classes with experienced faculty and regular tests so that you never feel behind.
Start with ICAI’s official study material – it’s well and truly enough. For extra help, Xylem, one of the trusted names in CA coaching, provides easy notes, practice question papers, and free videos on their YouTube channel to assist your preparation.