Key Takeaway:
The total duration of the CA Course is 5 years, and to become CA, students must pass all three levels with 3 years of Articleship training.
The duration at each level is as follows:
1. Passing the CA Foundation Exam – 6 Months
2. Passing the CA Intermediate Exam – 10 Months
3. Complete CA Articleship Training – 3 Years
4. Passing both groups of CA Final – 8 Months
Hence, Every single attempt increases your six months in this course.
Moreover, the students who are registering in CA courses through Direct entry can skip the CA Foundation exam and can complete the CA Course in just 4.5 years. Well, the above figure states only the minimum duration.
Here in this article, we will discuss the CA Course duration at each level, Foundation, Intermediate, and Final, as well as the Total course duration after 10th, 12th, and Graduation.
Table of Content
CA Course Duration After 12th
After completing class 12th, it takes students at least 5 years to become CA. Check the below table for CA Course duration after the 12th:
| Process | Month | Duration |
| CA Foundation Reigstration May 2023 | 1 Jan 2023 | – |
| Appear in 12th Exam | March 2023 | – |
| Fill CA Foundation Exam Form | Feb 2023 | – |
| Appear in CA Foundation Exam | May 2023 | – |
| CA Foundation Result May 2023 | July 2023 | 6 Months |
| CA Intermediate Registration May 2024 | Sept 1, 2023 | – |
| CA Intermediate Exam | May 2024 | – |
| CA Intermediate Result | July 2024 | 1 Year |
| Enrol for Articleship Training | July 2024 | – |
| CA Final Registration (After 2.5 years of Training) | Dec 2026 | – |
| CA Final Exam | May 2027 | – |
| CA Final Result | July 2027 | 3 Years |
| Complete 6 Months of Training | Dec 2027 | 6 Months |
| Total CA Course Duration | – | 5 Years |
The step-by-step procedure and CA Course duration after class 12th will be:
Step 1: Timeline in Passing Class12th to Clearing CA Foundation Level= 4 Months (Mandatory Study Period in between registration and examination date is 4 Months)
Step 2: Timeline in Passing Foundation level to pass Intermediate Level = 8 Months (Mandatory Study Period in between registration and examination date is 8 Months)
Step 3: Timeline in passing CA Intermediate to passing finals = 3.5 Years (Articleship is for 3 years and Study time period for Finals is assumed to be 5 Months)
Hence, after class 12th the total course duration to become CA is 5 years, only if the student cracks all the exams in the First attempt.
Students Must Also Read: 7 Best CA Classes in Mumbai and Best CA Institute in Bangalore
CA Foundation Course Duration
Candidates who wish to pursue the Chartered Accountancy course after the 12th have to qualify for an entrance examination; CA Foundation. Students can register for CA Foundation after appearing in the 12th board examination from a recognized board of education. Once the registration has been completed, they have to undergo four months of the study period to appear in Foundation Examination. Students have to wait for 2 months approx for the CA Foundation result.
Hence, The total CA Foundation course duration is = 6 Months
Also, Download the CA Foundation Paper and check the latest ICAI CA Foundation Study Material.
CA Intermediate Course Duration
CA Intermediate is the second level test after CA Foundation. Candidates can get themselves enrol for the CA Intermediate as soon as they qualify the CA Foundation. After registration, they have to complete 8 months of the study period to appear in the Intermediate Examination.ICAI conducts CA Intermediate Examination within 16-17 days and thereafter students have to wait 2 months for its result.
Hence, the total CA Intermediate Course Duration is = 10 Months
Also, Download the CA Intermediate Paper and must check the CA inter exam dates 2023.
ICITSS
After registration and before the commencement of articleship training, students have to complete 100 hours of the Information Technology Training program and one week of the Orientation Program. Often students complete such programs during the period waiting for the CA Intermediate result.
CA Articleship Training
Articleship training is a mandatory part of the CA Curriculum. Each and every student have to undergo 3 years of articleship training after passing out either both or a single group of CA Intermediate.
AICITSS
AICITSS is the Advance Information Technology and Management and Communication Skills Program. While pursuing the last two years of Articleship training, one has to get complete 100 hours of Advance Information Technology training and the Management and Communication Skills program. For more information on AICITSS follows the link.
Also Check: CA New Scheme
CA Final Course Duration
CA Final is the last stage of the Chartered Accountancy course. One can enrol himself for the CA Final Course after clearing both the groups of CA Intermediate and completing AICITSS. Students pursuing their last 6 months of articleship training can appear in CA Final Examination. ICAI has a tendency to declare the CA Final result within 2 months after the examination. Candidates also have to complete their remaining period of Articleship Training during such an awaiting period.
Hence, the total duration of the CA Course taken by articles and CA Final is 3 years.
Now we can say that the total duration taken by the Chartered Accountancy course after 12th is 5 years approx. Again, this is a minimum period, the number of attempts increases the duration of this course.
Download the CA Final Paper with Suggested Answers.
Chartered Accountancy Course Duration After 10th
According to the ICAI new amendments, students can start their journey of CA, just after class 10th by taking provisional admission under the CA Foundation course. However, they can only give the exam after completing class 12th. So, after class 10th it takes 7 years to complete CA Course. The procedure is the same as doing CA after class 12th, 2 years are just added for Clearing class 11th and Class 12th.
The Step by Step procedure for CA Course Duration After 10th:
- Time Duration for Class 11th and 12th = 2 Years
- Time Duration at CA Foundation Course = 6 Months
- Time Duration at CA Intermediate Course = 10 Months
- CA Articleship training = 3 Years
- Time duration at CA Final Course = 10 Months
Hence, Total CA Course Duration after 10th = 7 Years
CA Course Duration after Graduation through Direct Entry Scheme
ICAI has facilitated graduates and postgraduates to get register for the CA Intermediate course without passing out CA Foundation. Even students pursuing their final year of graduation can also register in the Chartered Accountancy course through the Direct Entry Route on the basis of provisional registration.
Direct Entry Route students have to complete nine months of articleship training before appearing in CA Intermediate examination. Although, they have to undergo the first ICITSS before the commencement of Articleship Training. After completion of nine months of Articleship training, they can appear in the Intermediate Examination and thereafter complete AICITSS while undergoing the last two years of the training period.
Similar to the normal route students, they can also appear in the CA Final Examination in the last six years of articleship training.
| CA Course | Duration |
| Complete ITT and OT Training | 1 Month |
| CA Intermediate Study Period | 8 months |
| Waiting Period of CA Intermediate Result | 2 Months |
| Articleship Training (appear in CA Final while completing the last six months of Articleship) | 3 Years |
| CA Final Exam Study Period | 6 Months |
| Waiting Period of CA Final Result | 2 Months |
| Total CA Course duration | 4.5 Years |
Hence, the minimum duration of the CA course after graduation is 4.5 years. Every Single attempt will increase the duration by 6 Months.
Duration of CA Course after Passing Intermediate Level of ICSI/ICWA
Besides the Graduates and Post Graduates, students who have cleared the Intermediate level of ICSI/ICWAI can also pursue Chartered Accountancy without giving its entry-level i.e. CA Foundation. Such students can directly appear in CA Intermediate.
Once they have registered with the course, they have to undergo eight months study period similar to normal route students. Thereafter complete ICITSS before the commencement of Articleship Training. The further process is the same as the normal route students.
Hence the minimum Chartered Accountancy / CA course duration for the above students who cleared Intermediate Level of ICSI/ICWAI is 4.5 years.
Also, Read – How to Become CA
CA Course Duration If You Don’t Clear Exam in First Attempt
Most of the students failed to clear CA Exams in Fist attempt, especially CA Intermediate and CA Final.
So, the total time duration of the CA Course in such a case will be 7-8years as every single attempt increase your 6 Months.
CA Course Fees
The total CA Course fee for 5 years after the 12th is Rs. 87,300. This does not include the expenses for coaching, this only includes fees for registration and Examination fees.
| CA Course fees | Indian Student | Foreigner Student |
| CA Foundation | ₹11,300 | $1105 |
| CA Intermediate- Single Group | ₹28,000 | $925 |
| CA Intermediate- Both Group | ₹34,200 | $1500 |
| CA Intermediate- Direct Entry | ₹34,400 | $1500 |
| Articleship Fee | ₹2,000 | |
| CA Final | ₹39,800 | $1650 |
| Total | ₹87,300 | $4255 |
CA Course Details
| Particulars | Details |
| Full-Form | Chartered Accountancy |
| Conducting Body | ICAI |
| Duration | 5 Years |
| Levels | 3 Levels+ Articleship |
| Degree | Bachelor’s |
| CA Course Eligibility | 50% in Class 12th |
| CA salary in India | 7-8 Lakhs |
| Fees | 3-4 Lakhs |
| Job Role | Accountant, Banker, Financial Manager, Consultor, Auditor |
Also, Read – CA Final Exam Dates for May 2023 Examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I become CA In 2 Years?
Ans: No, it is not possible to become CA in 2 years. It requires 4.5 years to become 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. Do 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 can pass without coaching?
Ans: Yes definitely, students can pass without coaching. But joining the best CA institute helps students for smooth preparation for CA exams.