CA Inter Master Guide: Syllabus, Registration, Online & Offline Classes, Exam Strategy & Coaching
CA Inter is the second stage of the Chartered Accountancy course, and this guide covers everything you need to start it. It’s for CA Foundation passers and eligible graduates. You’ll learn the two entry routes, the six-paper syllabus, the ₹18,000 registration fee, the passing rules, the 8-month study period, and a five-phase study plan. Your key takeaway: stay close to ICAI material, because over 80% of exam questions come from it.
Key Takeaways
Foundation Route (pass CA Foundation) or Direct Entry (graduates with min %).
The new scheme has 6 papers (3 per group), 300 marks each.
40% in each paper and 50% aggregate in a group. Score 60+ for exemption.
₹18,000 for both groups. ₹14,000 for a single group.
Mandatory between registration and exam month.
Conducted three times a year: January, May, September.
Concept coverage, revisions, PYQs, mocks, final revision.
Over 80% of exam questions come from ICAI’s certified content.
1. What is CA Intermediate? Overview & Eligibility Routes
The CA Intermediate course is the second stage of the Chartered Accountancy qualification. It forms a link between theory and practice. This course comprises 6 compulsory subjects that can be divided into 2 groups of 3 subjects each.
Eligibility Routes to Register for ICAI Intermediate
Candidates can enter the CA Inter course through two primary routes:
Pass the CA Foundation exam
Register on the ICAI SSP portal
Commerce Graduates/PG (≥ 55%), Other Graduates/PG (≥ 60%), CS Executive / CMA Inter
The CA Foundation Route
The CA Foundation exams of ICAI must be cleared.
Direct Entry Route
The CA Foundation exam can be skipped if you satisfy any of these conditions:
- Commerce Graduates or Post-Graduates with 55% marks.
- Non-Commerce Graduates or Post-Graduates with 60% marks.
- Candidates who have completed the Intermediate level exams from ICSI (CS Executive) or ICMAI (CMA Intermediate).
2. CA Intermediate Syllabus & Exam Pattern (New Scheme)
According to the ICAI updated scheme, the curriculum comprises six relevant subjects with 600 total marks for the examination. Each exam paper contains 30 percent objective questions (case scenario MCQs) and 70 percent descriptive questions.
Group-Wise Subjects & Marks Distribution
Group 1 (300 Marks)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Advanced Accounting | 100 | Accounting Standards (AS), Preparation of Financial Statements, Amalgamation, Consolidation. |
| Paper 2 | Corporate & Other Laws | 100 (70+30) | Part A: Companies Act & LLP Act (70 Marks) Part B: FEMA, General Clauses Act, Interpretation of Statutes (30 Marks) |
| Paper 3 | Taxation | 100 (50+50) | Section A: Income Tax (Direct Tax – Sources of Income, TDS/TCS, PGBP) Section B: GST (Indirect Tax – Supply, ITC, Time and Value of Supply) |
Group 2 (300 Marks)
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 4 | Cost & Management Accounting | 100 | Marginal Costing, Standard Costing, Process Costing, Budgeting & Variance Analysis, Material & Labour Cost. |
| Paper 5 | Auditing & Ethics | 100 | Standards on Auditing (SA), Ethical Aspect of Auditing, CARO 2020, Internal Control and Audit Reporting. |
| Paper 6 | Financial Management & Strategic Management | 100 (50+50) | Section A: FM (Capital Budgeting, Cost of Capital, Capital Structure, Ratios) Section B: SM (Strategic Analysis, Competitor Analysis, Strategy Implementation) |
Criteria for Passing and Exemptions
Criteria for Each Subject
A subject must obtain at least 40% marks in order to qualify.
Criteria for Aggregate
The overall passing percentage is required to be a minimum of 50% marks in total, 150/300 subjects.
Exemption Criteria
If any subject has been passed with an overall score of 60%, you won’t need to give a paper test for that subject again, but the aggregate percentage needs to be maintained.
Want the full paper-wise list with ICAI study material links? Read our CA Intermediate syllabus guide.
3. CA Intermediate Registration Process & Fee Breakdown
To enroll for ICAI CA Inter, you’ll have to submit the application form online through the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP).
Guide for Registration Process
Login to ICAI official portal SSP
Choose Student Cycle, then CA Intermediate Registration
Submit scanned documents (CA Foundation Marksheet/Graduation Certificate, 10th and 12th Marksheet, ID, Passport size Photo)
Choose your route (Foundation or Direct Entry) and group (both or one)
Pay the fee online and take a printout of the receipt
Official ICAI CA Inter Fee Structure
| Fee Head | Both Groups (INR) | Single Group (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₹ 15,000 | ₹ 11,000 |
| Student Activity Fee | ₹ 2,000 | ₹ 2,000 |
| Articles Registration Fee (if applicable) | ₹ 1,000 | ₹ 1,000 |
| Total Official ICAI Fee | ₹ 18,000 | ₹ 14,000 |
⏳ Mandatory Study Period: ICAI mandates an 8-month study period between the registration date and the exam month.
4. CA Inter Exam Pattern, Admit Card & Exam Timetable
ICAI conducts CA Intermediate examinations 3 times a year: in January, May, and September.
Exam Pattern & Duration
CA Inter Exam Schedule
Exams are scheduled across an 11-day window with a 1-day gap between consecutive papers:
| Group | Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 5 | Day 7 | Day 9 | Day 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group I | Paper 1: Adv. Accounts | Paper 2: Law | Paper 3: Taxation | — | — | — |
| Group II | — | — | — | Paper 4: Costing | Paper 5: Audit | Paper 6: FM-SM |
Download CA Inter Admit Card
ICAI releases the CA Inter admit card around 14-15 days before the exam on the SSP portal. You should also check that all details (Name, Registration Number, Exam Centre, Medium) match your registration profile. See our CA Intermediate admit card page and the latest CA Inter exam dates.
5. CA Inter Coaching Options: Online Classes vs Offline Classes
Choosing the right learning environment is critical to cracking CA Inter on your first attempt.
| Feature | CA Inter Online Classes | CA Inter Offline Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Learn anytime, anywhere with high-definition recorded or live lectures. | Fixed schedule with face-to-face interaction at coaching centres. |
| Time Savings | Zero commute time; re-watch complex lectures multiple times. | Requires commuting to offline centers daily. |
| Doubt Resolution | Live chat, dedicated apps, and direct mentor call support. | Immediate face-to-face doubt clearance during or after class. |
| Cost Efficiency | Highly affordable; free backup access included. | Comparatively higher tuition and accommodation costs. |
Fast Track Classes for CA Inter
If you’re making a second attempt or have limited revision time, CA Inter fast track classes can help. They cover a 100-120 hour syllabus per subject, concentrating on fundamental principles, past year questions (PYQs) and mock tests.
Free Classes for CA Intermediate
You can try free demos of CA Intermediate classes, plus revision marathons on YouTube and other online platforms, to test the instructor’s teaching style before you subscribe.
6. Best Faculty for CA Inter at StudyByTech
Choosing the best instructor gives you both insight into the concepts and the presentation skills that matter in the exam.
Subject Experts
Golden instructors give insight into application of AS and their practical problem-solving activities.
Complete explanation of legal clauses, case laws, and presentation techniques.
Lectures by our faculty, known for his unique memory boards and professional case studies related to GST.
Lecture by CA Parag Gupta, known for his simplified approach towards complex formulas. See his CA Inter Costing classes.
Lectures handled by our Audit faculty, recognized as a specialist in Standards on Auditing (SA) and ethics.
A sound understanding of tricky problems with the strategic decision-making process.
Faculty Panel
CA Akash Malhotra
Accounts
CA Sunila Kapoor
Law
CA Sachinn Gupta
Taxation
CA Parag Gupta
Costing & SM
CA Palki Lamba
Audit
CA Sonakshi Gupta
FM
7. Proven CA Inter Study Plan & Exam Strategies
Step-by-Step Preparation Roadmap
100% concept coverage via coaching/classes
1st revision + ICAI study material exercise solves
2nd revision + past year questions (PYQs)
3rd revision + RTPs, MTPs & mock tests
Final rapid revision via summary notes
Top Tips to Rank or Score Exemption in CA Inter
Concentrate on ICAI Study Materials
Over 80% of exam questions are from ICAI’s certified content. Read more in ICAI study material vs reference books.
Understand Working Notes
For practical subjects like Accounting, Costing and FM, make clear assumptions step by step. Marks are awarded generously for each step.
Practice Written Answers
In theory subjects like Law and Audit, an answer should include the relevant legal provision, statutory explanation, application of law to the facts, and a conclusion.
Give Full Length Mock Tests
Finish at least 2 full-length mock test papers under strict exam conditions.
8. What to Do After CA Foundation & Student Guidance
Clearing CA Foundation is a big step. Moving straight into CA Inter brings the challenge of shifting from memorisation-based learning to analytical thinking. Not sure when to start? Read should I start CA Inter before my CA Foundation result?
Key Actions to Take Right After CA Foundation Completion
Decide whether you want to take both groups or just one, depending on how you plan to study.
Start registration on the ICAI SSP portal so you receive the study materials on time.
Enroll in regular CA Inter coaching right away to avoid last-minute problems and stay disciplined.
🚀 Enroll in the Best CA Intermediate Coaching
Prepare for your CA Inter exams with structured live, online and offline batches, exhaustive study materials, and regular test series.
📚 Enroll Now▶️ Watch Demo Lectures📚 Know more about Direct Entry in CA
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does CA Inter mean?
CA Inter, also known as CA Intermediate, is the level of the Chartered Accountancy course conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). At StudyByTech we have CA Intermediate classes and CA Inter online classes, and our expert faculty members are always available to help students build concepts and prepare confidently for the ICAI CA Inter examinations.
2. Is CA Inter tougher than CA Final?
Generally, CA Final is more advanced than CA Inter. However, CA Intermediate is the stage where students build the core concepts that are essential for CA Final. With StudyByTech’s CA Intermediate coaching, CA Inter fast track classes and online classes, students can prepare effectively and confidently for the CA Inter exams.
3. Who is rank 1 in CA?
The ICAI CA Inter and CA Final rank holders change with every examination, so it is difficult to say who is rank 1 in CA. At StudyByTech our goal is to help every student achieve strong scores through our CA Intermediate online classes, expert mentorship, regular mock tests and concept-based learning.
4. Can I pass CA Inter in 3 months?
Yes, it is possible to clear CA Inter in three months with disciplined preparation, a study plan and consistent revision. StudyByTech offers CA Inter classes online, CA Inter fast track classes and the best online classes for CA Intermediate to help students maximize their preparation for the CA Inter exams.
5. What is a CA monthly salary?
The salary of a Chartered Accountant varies across a range of factors, such as expertise, experience, industry and geographical area. Proper training during CA Intermediate prepares you well for a career in the Chartered Accountancy profession, and StudyByTech’s CA Intermediate coaching prepares learners for successful career development.
6. Is CA Inter easy to crack?
CA Inter is challenging. It is absolutely achievable, with consistent study, proper guidance and regular practice. StudyByTech provides CA Intermediate classes and CA Inter coaching that are designed to simplify concepts and improve exam performance, which will help students prepare for the CA Inter exams and become a Chartered Accountant.
7. How does CA Inter work?
You enter through CA Foundation or Direct Entry, then register on ICAI’s SSP portal. After the 8-month study period, you appear for six papers across two groups, offered in January, May and September. You need 40% in each paper and 50% aggregate in a group. Clear both groups and you move on to CA Final.
8. Is CA Inter worth it?
Yes, if you want to become a Chartered Accountant. CA Inter bridges theory and practice and is a required stage before CA Final. It’s demanding, but with ICAI material, regular revision and mock tests, you can prepare well. Good coaching and a clear five-phase plan make it more manageable.
9. Who is CA Inter best for?
It’s best for CA Foundation passers and eligible graduates, such as commerce graduates with 55% or other graduates with 60%. It also suits CS Executive and CMA Inter passers. If you can study consistently for around eight months and enjoy accounting, law, costing and audit, you’re a good fit.
10. How much is the CA Inter registration fee?
The official ICAI fee is ₹18,000 for both groups and ₹14,000 for a single group. This includes the registration fee, the student activity fee of ₹2,000 and the articles registration fee of ₹1,000. You pay online through the ICAI SSP portal.
More questions? See our CA Inter FAQs.