CA Course Fees 2026: ICAI Fee Structure, Eligibility, Duration, Salary & Admission Details

The Chartered Accountancy course is generally pursued by commerce students due to the good career scope, high salaries, and professionalism. The CA course, offered by the ICAI, is one of the highly regarded professional courses in India suitable for students who want to become accountants, tax advisors, auditors, and finance professionals. Every year, thousands of candidates enroll in this course due to affordable fees and good career opportunities.

CA Course Fees 2026: ICAI Full Fee Details, Eligibility Criteria, Duration, Salary, and More

There are three main tiers of the Chartered Accountancy course – CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final. Apart from the ICAI registration fee, students may have to spend money on coaching classes, books, study material, etc. In this article, we have covered all aspects of the CA course fees for 2026, including eligibility criteria, coaching charges, salary prospects, and more.

Overview of CA Course Fees 2026

Below is the table that provides a brief overview of the approximate CA course fees in India for the year 2026.

The cost as stated above covers the ICAI registration fee, exam fees, and the estimated coaching fee. Students preparing by themselves will find the cost much less than this.

Levels of the CA Course

ICAI tests the capabilities of aspirants in three levels of examinations.

They are:

1. Learning basic and advanced accountancy, finance, and taxation
2. Basic and advanced learning of Information Technology and soft skills
3. Practical study (with article-ship)

CA -Course-levels of learning.

Duration of CA Course in India

It generally takes about five years to complete the Chartered Accountant course after finishing Class 12. The time period may be more or less based on your attempts for exams and completion of articleship.

Here is the total time structure of the Chartered Accountant course.

Those students who pass all exams on their first attempt can speed up the process.

CA Foundation ICAI Course Fee 2026

After Class 12,  the first step towards becoming a Chartered Accountant is the CA Foundation. This course enables students to develop their fundamental knowledge in the fields of accounts, law, economics, and mathematics. Fees need to be paid by students at this level.

Without any coaching, the candidates can make substantial savings by using the study material and practice exams from ICAI.

CA Intermediate ICAI Course Fee 2026

CA Inter is the second step of the CA program, which consists of higher-level courses such as accounting, taxation, auditing, and finance. The candidates have the option to take either one exam group or both groups, as per their preparation capacity. The total cost may rise due to the increasing trend among students for taking professional coaching.

It usually takes less time for students to finish both courses simultaneously than separately.

ICITSS Course Fee Structure

The course called Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS) is compulsory for those who wish to enroll in CA Intermediate. The purpose of this training is the development of communication skills as well as the acquisition of IT knowledge that should be gained while undergoing articleship training. ICITSS course completion becomes an essential prerequisite to articleship training by a Chartered Accountant.

This course is compulsory for all CA aspirants enrolled in ICAI.

CA Final ICAI Course Fee 2026

CA Final is the final level in the CA exam program and consists of professional subjects only. Coaching and revision classes cost much more at this level than at any other one. Passing the CA Final makes you eligible to be called a Chartered Accountant.

CA Final Coaching is costlier for the students due to the higher-level syllabus and preparation.

AICITSS Fee Structure

There is another course that candidates need to undergo before sitting for the CA Final, known as the Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS).

Through this course, students acquire practical knowledge and communication skills needed in their careers.

Eligibility Criteria for CA Course 2026

Before taking up the CA course, it is necessary for the students to know about the eligibility criteria laid down by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

The students may apply for the CA Course after passing Class 12 or even opt for the Direct Entry route upon graduation.

Eligibility for CA Foundation

The students must satisfy all the following conditions:

• Must pass class 12 examinations from any recognized board.
• Preferably Commerce stream, but no compulsion.
• You have to get registered with ICAI.

The candidates from the science or arts stream can also enroll in the CA course.

Eligibility for the Direct Entry Route

Direct entry candidates having the requisite marks in percentage will be able to join the CA intermediate course after their graduation.

• Commerce graduates should have a minimum of 55%.
• For Non-commerce graduates, the minimum percentage is 60%.

This eligibility allows students to bypass the CA Foundation course level.

CA Articleship Registration Charges and Training 

Articleship is compulsory training that offers practical exposure to accounting, tax, auditing, and finance. Students are trained under a practicing Chartered Accountant and get practical exposure for three years.

Fee for Articleship Registration

The details of charges at the time of articleship registration are as follows:

Along with the above-mentioned charges, the student receives monthly remuneration during articleship.

Chartered Accountancy Course - Admission Procedure

The following points should be kept in mind while enrolling for chartered accountancy :

The candidate can enroll

• After the 12th (10+2) to CA-Foundation
• After Graduation or post-graduation to CA-Intermediate.

Admission at CA-Foundation Level

• Use the ICAI Portal to enroll in the CA-Foundation Course. Fill out the form for the foundation course and the Common Proficiency Test (CPT).
• After paying the fees, you will be recognized as registered for the foundation course by the ICAI. You will be assigned a registration number, user ID, and password.

Admission at CA- Intermediate Level

• You need to pass the CA-Foundation course to enroll for the CA-Intermediate level.
• You have to clear your graduation with 55% marks to register directly for CA-Intermediate.

CA- Final-Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to register for the CA-Final Course,

• You must complete three years of article-ship.
• You need to complete the intermediate level of CA.

Difficult to become a CA - Myth or Truth

Many students find that the CA exams are hard because of the wide curriculum and the very low percentage of passes in it. But all this is dependent on how well you prepare yourself. With proper planning, students can pass their CA exams easily.

Mistakes made by students during preparation

There are many students who make some common mistakes while preparing. It is important to be aware of these mistakes to perform better.

• Disregarding ICAI books
• Relying only on coaching materials
• Ineffective revision
• Bad time management
• Insufficient practice in answer writing
• Negativity during the exam

This list of mistakes needs to be avoided to successfully pass on the first attempt.

Tips to Pass CA Examinations on the First Attempt

Sometimes, students struggle to find the right approach to pass CA examinations quickly and efficiently. Here are some tips that could be useful for them in their preparations.

Top Tips to Prepare for CA:

• Understand the ICAI material comprehensively
• At least revise twice or thrice
• Learn about the CA examination pattern
• Write only relevant answers
• Do mock test preparations
• Develop your presentation skills
• Keep a positive outlook

This is how a result-oriented strategy can help students perform well in CA examinations.

The Final Word

The CA program is one of the least expensive and most productive professional programs that can be pursued in India. There are numerous prospects available in fields such as accounting, auditing, taxation, and finance.

Although pursuing the career path of a Chartered Accountant may be quite challenging, the results will always pay off in the end. Through proper planning and preparation, students will find that they can pass all exams and have a bright career.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What will be the overall charges for the CA course in India?

Overall charges for the CA course in India would usually range from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 2 lakhs. This would include the fees for ICAI registration, examinations, coaching, and study materials. Candidates who go for self-study can complete the course by spending less money.

2. Can I pursue the CA course after 12th class?

Yes, students can enroll for the CA Foundation course after completion of Class 12 from any recognized school board. After passing the Foundation course, they can join the CA Intermediate and CA Final courses.

3. Is there any necessity for coaching for CA examinations?

No, it is not mandatory for students to go for coaching while preparing for CA exams. Some students pass CA examinations without going for coaching.

4. How long does it take to become a Chartered Accountant?

It takes roughly five years after Class 12th to become a Chartered Accountant. However, it depends on the number of times a student tries to clear the examination for Intermediate and Final courses.

5. How much does a Chartered Accountant Fresher get paid in India?

A Fresher Chartered Accountant in India makes an average annual salary ranging from ₹7 Lakh to ₹12 Lakh. The compensation varies depending on qualifications, skillsets, experience, location, etc.

6. Can we do direct entry into CA?

Yes, we can do the direct entry into CA Intermediate, provided one meets the necessary percentage criteria prescribed by ICAI.

7. Which is better, CA or MBA?

The CA course is comparatively economical, and it provides excellent opportunities in terms of employment. It can be said that CA gives one an edge over an MBA.

8. Which part is the toughest in CA?

CA Intermediate and CA Final are considered to be the toughest parts, as there is extensive coverage of topics.