Getting a Chartered Accountant (CA) degree is one of the prestigious career options in India. It has been a dream for many students for years. But what examinations and training must one undergo to achieve this designation? What is the exact duration of this course?
Let’s get answers to all these questions in this blog. Keep scrolling to know the exact CA course duration, whether you’re going for this program after 10th, 12th, graduation, or post-graduation.
CA Course Duration
The CA exam duration is a total of 42 months. Meanwhile, students have to complete their foundation, intermediate and final examinations. Plus, they must go for an intense practical traineeship for two years.
Nevertheless, the duration reduces to 36 months when the learners appear for the degree after graduation. And that’s because they don’t have to sit for Foundation tests.
This is the minimal timespan when students clear all their exams in the first attempt. The entire duration of each level’s CA curriculum is listed in the table below:
| Course Process | Duration of CA (in Months) |
| CA Foundation Study Period | 4 months |
| Waiting Period for CA Foundation Results | 2 months |
| CA Intermediate Study Period | 8 months |
| Waiting Period for CA Intermediate Results | 2 months |
| CA Articleship | 2 years |
| Study Period for CA Finals | 6 months |
| CA Final Results | 2 months |
| Total CA course time period | 4 Years |
CA Course Duration After 12th
The chartered accountant duration after 12th grade will require a minimum of five years to wrap up. Students have to pass the three examinations and finish the two years of articleship.
The table for the CA course duration after 12th grade is as follows:
| Course Process | Date / Months | Months |
| Appear in 12th Boards | March 2024 | |
| CA Foundation Registration (For January 2025) | September 1, 2024(Final Date) | |
| Fill the CA Foundation Exam Form | 2 Months before the Exam Date | |
| Appear in CA Foundation Exams | January 2025 | |
| CA Foundation Results(For January 2025) | 2 Months after the Exam Date | |
| Total Duration for CA Foundation | 6 Months | |
| CA Inter Registration (For September 2025) | (To be confirmed by ICAI) | |
| CA Inter Exams | (To be confirmed by ICAI) | |
| CA Inter Results | 2 Months after the Exam Date | |
| Total Duration for CA Intermediate | ||
| Registration for Articleship Training | (To be confirmed by ICAI) | |
| CA Final Registration (After 2 Yrs of Training) | (To be confirmed by ICAI) | |
| CA Finals | (To be confirmed by ICAI) | |
| CA Final Results | 2 Months after the Exam Date | |
| Total Duration for CA Finals | 3 Years | |
| Total CA course duration after 12th | 5 Years |
CA Foundation Course Duration
CA Foundation is the entry-level test to get into a CA course. Candidates who have completed their 12th grade can register for this exam, which usually spans six months. Once they’re done with the registration part, they have to commit to 4 months of preparation before appearing for it. As per the new ICAI announcements, this exam will happen thrice in 12 months (January, May/June, and September). Results are revealed two months after the examinations.
CA Intermediate Course Duration
The entire ca intermediate course duration lasts around 8-9 months. This level has two groups with different subjects in both groups. Two months following the test, ICAI announces the CA Intermediate results. Following the outcome of the examinations from either of the groups, students can start their articleship training.
ICITSS period
The CA course duration covers an integrated course on information technology and soft skills (ICITSS Training), which must be completed before articleship. Its period includes 100 hours of IT tuition and seven days of orientation classes.
CA Articleship Training Period
Every candidate must complete the two-year CA Articleship program in their chartered accountant course duration. Students will gain hands-on experience under professional chartered accountants over these two years.
After completing any or both CA Intermediate groups, CA students are qualified to apply for articleship training. Throughout the articleship period, they gain practical knowledge in accounting, auditing, taxation, and associated fields.
NOTE: As per the new policies of ICAI, the articles program has been reduced to two years compared to the previous three-year curriculum. The candidates are qualified to take the CA final exams after six months of training. Also, unlike the earlier schedule, they do not have to come for further training after completing the CA finals.
AICITSS Time Period
Prior to taking the CA Final examinations, achievement of the Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS) is necessary. AICITSS is a four-week curriculum emphasising soft skills and advanced IT competencies training.
CA Final Course Duration
The CA Final Course duration ends when learners complete their articleship and the CA Intermediate groups. They are then ready to take the final examinations, further divided into two groups. Students need to register for the exams during the training period.
CA Course Duration After 10th
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) permits learners of 10th grade to go for the chartered accountancy course. However, exams are only open to those who have finished 12th grade.
For learners entering after the tenth grade, the duration of the Chartered Accountancy spans around seven years. This is the same route one has to follow when they are in 12th grade and seeking a CA degree.
The sole distinction in this route is the addition of the eleventh and twelfth grades.
CA Course Duration After Graduation
After graduation, the course duration persists for four and ½ years. Candidates are not required to take the CA Foundation test and to enrol straight away in the CA Intermediate Program.
After clearing both CA Inter groups, they will have to finish the remainder of their articleship to get ready for the CA final examinations. The following table will give a clear view of the after graduation ca course duration:
| Course Process | CA after graduation duration |
| ICITSS | 1 Month |
| CA Intermediate Preparations | 8 Months |
| Waiting Period of CA Inter Results | 2 Months |
| Articleship Training | 2 Years |
| Preparation Period for CA Finals | 6 Months |
| CA Final Results | 2 Months |
| Total CA Course Duration After Graduation | 4 and a ½ Years |
CA Course Duration After Post-Graduation
The CA exam duration after post graduation is the same as after the B.com ca course duration. Once their post-graduation degree has been completed, they can enlist immediately in the CA Intermediate Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I become a CA In 2 Years?
Ans: No, it is not possible to become a CA in 2 years. It requires 4.5 years to become a CA even after graduation.
Q2. What is the CA Course Duration after B.com?
Ans: The total CA Course duration after B.com is 4.5 years if you Crack all the exams in a single attempt.
Q3. Can students do CA after class 12th?
Ans: To do CA after class 12th students need to register for the first level of the CA foundation. For the CA foundation exams, students have to prepare for the CA foundation course in four months of study time.
Q4. Does class 12th marks of students matter for CA?
Ans: Class 12th marks of students do not matter. But students need to clear class 12th exams with minimum passing marks.
Q5. Are any age limits required to do CA?
Ans: After completion of class 12th, candidates are eligible for CA and there is no age limit required to do CA.
Q6. Do CA students pass without coaching?
Ans: Yes definitely, students can pass without coaching. But joining the best CA institute helps students smoothly prepare for CA exams.
Commencement of Live Virtual Classes (LVC Batch – 2) under the New Scheme from 15th April 2024 for the students of CA Foundation/Intermediate/Final courses appearing in September/November 2024 Examinations – (10-04-2024)