ICAI CA Intermediate Examination 2026–27: New Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility and Passing Criteria

Summary: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts the Chartered Accountants Intermediate Examination under the New Scheme of Education and Training introduced in 2023. The revised examination consists of six papers divided into two groups, replacing the earlier Intermediate (Integrated Professional Competence) Examination, commonly known as IPCC or IPC. Group I comprises Advanced Accounting, Corporate and Other Laws, and Taxation. Group II includes Cost and Management Accounting, Auditing and Ethics, and Financial Management and Strategic Management. The former standalone Information Technology and Strategic Management paper no longer exists in the present syllabus. Strategic Management is included in Paper 6 alongside Financial Management. The Intermediate examination includes case-study-based multiple-choice questions and descriptive questions. The general passing requirement is at least 40% in each paper and 50% aggregate marks in the relevant group, subject to applicable exemption provisions. Eligible candidates may enter through the Foundation Route or Direct Entry Route, subject to registration and study-period requirements. Candidates should consult ICAI’s official notifications for examination dates, deadlines and any changes applicable to their particular attempt.

1. ICAI CA Intermediate Examination Under the New Scheme

ICAI introduced the New Scheme of Education and Training with effect from 1 July 2023. The revised Intermediate examination has six papers divided equally between Group I and Group II. The first Intermediate examination under the revised scheme was held in May 2024. The earlier IPCC examination structure has been discontinued.

2. CA Intermediate Group-Wise Subjects and Marks

Group I: Accounting, Corporate Laws and Taxation

Group I covers Advanced Accounting, Corporate and Other Laws, and Taxation. Taxation includes Income-tax Law and Goods and Services Tax. Students should use the ICAI material and statutory updates applicable to their examination attempt.

Group II: Costing, Auditing and Strategic Management

Group II covers Cost and Management Accounting, Auditing and Ethics, and Financial Management and Strategic Management. Paper 6 comprises Financial Management (50 marks) and Strategic Management (50 marks). See the ICAI New Scheme FAQs for further information.

3. What Happened to the Old IPCC Information Technology and Strategic Management Paper?

Under the former IPCC examination, Group II included Paper 7, Information Technology and Strategic Management. Under the current syllabus, Information Technology is not a separate Intermediate examination paper, while Strategic Management forms part of Paper 6. The earlier Intermediate examination guidance provides historical context; it should not be used as the current syllabus.

4. CA Intermediate Examination Pattern

The New Scheme examination pattern provides for 30% case-scenario or case-study-based multiple-choice questions and 70% descriptive questions, with no negative marking for the multiple-choice component. Candidates should refer to the ICAI New Scheme examination FAQs and instructions applicable to their examination attempt.

5. CA Intermediate Eligibility and Registration Requirements

Foundation Route

Candidates who pass the CA Foundation Examination may register for Intermediate, subject to the prescribed registration conditions.

Direct Entry Route

The Direct Entry Route is available to eligible candidates, including commerce graduates/postgraduates with at least 55% marks and non-commerce graduates/postgraduates with at least 60% marks, subject to ICAI’s detailed eligibility conditions. Certain candidates qualified at the Intermediate level of ICSI or ICMAI may also be eligible.

Minimum Study Period

The general minimum study period is eight months, subject to the registration and eligibility requirements applicable to the candidate. Consult the ICAI New Scheme overview and the current official prospectus.

6. CA Intermediate Passing Marks and Exemption Rules

The general group-wise requirement is at least 40 marks out of 100 in each paper and 50% in aggregate. Since each group has three 100-mark papers, this ordinarily means at least 40 marks in each paper and 150 marks in aggregate. Separate regulations apply to simultaneous passing of both groups and individual-paper exemptions.

7. Examination Dates and Application Instructions

ICAI publishes examination schedules, application deadlines, correction windows and other instructions for each attempt. Candidates planning to appear in January 2027 or a later session should verify the current official announcement and any subsequent changes before making arrangements. Historical postponement notices relating to the discontinued IPCC examination do not apply to the present Intermediate scheme.

8. How to Prepare for CA Intermediate Examinations

Use Applicable ICAI Study Material

Study from the Board of Studies material prescribed for the relevant examination attempt, including applicable updates and corrigenda.

Practise Case-Study Questions

Practise applying accounting, taxation, auditing and legal concepts to practical situations, including multiple-choice and descriptive questions.

Use Revision and Mock Test Papers

Revision Test Papers, Mock Test Papers and suggested answers can help identify weak areas and improve examination-time management.

Check Statutory Amendments

Pay particular attention to the amendments applicable to Taxation and Corporate and Other Laws for the relevant examination attempt.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CA IPCC Examination Still Conducted?

No. The earlier IPCC examination structure has been replaced by the CA Intermediate examination under the New Scheme.

How Many Papers Are There in CA Intermediate?

Six papers, divided into two groups of three papers each.

Is Information Technology a Separate Paper?

No. Information Technology is not a separate Intermediate examination paper under the current syllabus.

Is Strategic Management Included?

Yes. It forms part of Group II, Paper 6, Financial Management and Strategic Management.

What Are the Passing Marks?

The general requirement is at least 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate in the relevant group, subject to applicable rules.

Is There Negative Marking for MCQs?

The New Scheme examination pattern provides for no negative marking in the multiple-choice component.

What Is the Minimum Study Period?

The general requirement is eight months, subject to ICAI’s applicable registration and eligibility conditions.

10. Official ICAI Study Resources

• ICAI Intermediate syllabus and study material
• ICAI official website and examination announcements
• ICAI Self-Service Portal

Conclusion

The current CA Intermediate syllabus comprises six papers under the New Scheme. Strategic Management is part of Paper 6 rather than the former standalone Information Technology and Strategic Management paper. Students should follow the current syllabus, complete the applicable eligibility requirements and verify examination dates and instructions directly with ICAI.

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Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for general educational and informational purposes concerning the Chartered Accountants Intermediate Examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It summarises the New Scheme of Education and Training, examination structure, subjects, eligibility routes, study-period requirements, passing criteria and preparation resources. Examination regulations, syllabus content, statutory amendments, registration conditions, fees, exemption rules, application deadlines, examination dates and administrative instructions may change. Students must independently verify the current requirements from ICAI’s official prospectus, Board of Studies material, examination announcements and Self-Service Portal before applying, claiming an exemption or making any examination-related decision. References to the discontinued IPCC or IPC examination are provided solely to explain historical changes in the curriculum and do not suggest that the old examination structure continues to apply. Individual eligibility under the Direct Entry Route, provisional registration, conversion from an earlier scheme and carried-forward exemptions may depend on facts and regulatory conditions not addressed in this general article. The study suggestions are illustrative and do not guarantee eligibility, examination success, marks or professional qualification. External and TaxGuru hyperlinks are provided as reference resources; readers should check whether the information on any linked page has subsequently been revised. TaxGuru does not issue official ICAI examination notifications through this article and does not represent that the article replaces any binding ICAI regulation, notification, prospectus, syllabus or instruction. If there is any inconsistency between this article and a current official ICAI communication, the official ICAI communication shall prevail. Candidates should also consult ICAI directly where their individual registration, examination eligibility or exemption status requires clarification.