How to Become a CA in India? - Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Step 1: Understand What a Chartered Accountant Does

Before diving into how to become a CA, it’s important to understand what the profession involves. A Chartered Accountant is a finance professional recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). CAs handle auditing, taxation, financial reporting, compliance, mergers, valuations, and more. They can work in firms, corporates, startups, or independently. It’s one of the most prestigious finance careers in India and globally.

Step 2: Know the Eligibility Criteria

To begin your CA journey, you must register with ICAI. The eligibility depends on whether you’re entering after 10th, after 12th, or after graduation.

Step 3: Register for the CA Foundation Course

The CA Foundation is the first level for those starting after Class 12. Subjects include Accounting, Business Laws, Business Mathematics, and Economics.

• Eligibility: 12th pass
• Exam Frequency: Thrice a year (January, May, September)
• Passing Criteria: Minimum 40% in each subject and 50% aggregate

If you’re exploring how to become a CA after 12th commerce, this is your first step. It’s advisable to register early - at least four months before the exam.

Step 4: Clear the CA Foundation Exam

Foundation exams are relatively straightforward but conceptual. They test your analytical ability, not memorisation. On average, it takes 6–8 months to prepare. Many students join coaching institutes for focused guidance. Clearing the CA Foundation makes you eligible for the Intermediate level.

Step 5: Register for CA Intermediate

After passing the Foundation, you move to the CA Intermediate, the second level. If you’re coming via the Direct Entry route (after graduation), you can start here directly. Intermediate is divided into two groups covering:

• Advanced Accounting, Corporate Laws, Taxation (Group 1)
• Cost and Management Accounting, Auditing, Financial Management and Strategic Management (Group 2)

Each group requires strong conceptual clarity and disciplined study. It’s often considered the toughest stage in the CA journey.

Step 6: Complete ICITSS (Orientation + IT Training)

Before starting Articleship, every student must complete ICITSS (Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills). It includes:

• Information Technology Training (100 hours)
• Orientation Course (15 days)

This step helps you develop essential corporate and tech skills before working in a firm.

Step 7: Begin Your Articleship

Once you clear both Groups of CA Intermediate, you can start your Articleship - a 2-year practical training under a practising Chartered Accountant. This is the most transformative phase of your journey because it teaches you real-world audit, taxation, and business exposure.

Key Facts about Articleship:

• Duration: 2 years
• Can be done under a CA or in Big 4 firms (KPMG, EY, PwC, Deloitte)
• You must maintain a training diary and meet ICAI attendance requirements
• Articleship is not just training - it’s your bridge between theory and practice. Most firms assign you to audit, taxation, or compliance departments depending on your interests and performance.

Step 8: Register for CA Final

During the last six months of your Articleship, you can register for CA Final - the last and toughest level of the CA course. It has two groups focusing on Financial Reporting, Advanced Financial Management, Advanced Auditing, Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation, Indirect Tax Laws, and Integrated Business Solutions.

Step 9: Complete AICITSS (Advanced IT + Soft Skills)

Before appearing for your CA Final exams, you must complete AICITSS, which includes Advanced IT and Management Communication training. It equips you with leadership, presentation, and data-handling skills that are essential for senior-level roles.

Step 10: Clear the CA Final Exam

This is the final stage in the How to become a CA roadmap. The CA Final exam requires consistent revision and deep understanding. It’s conducted three times a year, in January, May, and September. Passing both groups grants you the right to apply for ICAI membership and to prefix “CA” before your name.

Step 11: Apply for ICAI Membership

Once you’ve cleared CA Final and completed Articleship, you can apply to become a member of ICAI. After formal approval, you’ll be officially designated as a Chartered Accountant.

1. How to Become a CA After 12th Commerce

This is the standard route — complete your 12th, register for Foundation, clear all three levels (Foundation, Intermediate, Final), and complete 2 years of Articleship. A commerce background helps, as subjects like Accountancy and Economics overlap with the CA syllabus.

2. How to Become a Chartered Accountant After 12th (Non-Commerce Students)

Even if you’re from Science or Arts, you can still pursue CA. You’ll start with CA Foundation and may need to put extra effort into subjects like Accounting in the beginning.

3. How to Become a CA After Graduation

If you’ve completed graduation—especially B.Com with 55% or more—you can skip CA Foundation. Register directly for CA Intermediate and start preparing for both groups while completing ICITSS.

4. How to Become a CA After 10th Step by Step

• Pass Class 10
• Register for CA Foundation (early registration allowed)
• Appear for CA Foundation after completing Class 12
• Clear the CA levels: Foundation → Intermediate → Articleship → Final
• Apply for ICAI Membership after clearing Final exams

This route gives you an early start, but remember that actual CA exams can only be taken after Class 12.

Myth 1: You need to be a topper in school to clear CA.

Fact: You need consistency, not intelligence. The exam rewards hard work and conceptual clarity.

Myth 2: Articleship is just clerical work.

Fact: It’s real exposure - what you learn here will shape your career.

Myth 3: CA is all about accounting.

Fact: It’s a mix of accounting, audit, tax, finance, and business advisory.