Courses Offered by ICAI 2026: CA, Post Qualification & Certificate Courses

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) offers a wide range of programmes for aspiring Chartered Accountants as well as qualified professionals seeking specialised expertise. Along with its flagship Chartered Accountancy (CA) programme, ICAI provides post-qualification diploma programmes and certificate courses in areas such as taxation, auditing, artificial intelligence, financial management, forensic accounting, and corporate reporting. 

These programmes are regularly updated to align with changing industry requirements and support continuous professional development. 

Types of Courses Offered by ICAI in 2026

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) serves as the premier regulatory and educational body for the accounting profession in India. To help professionals keep up with shifting market dynamics, fast-evolving tax structures, and game-changing technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the institute has systematically expanded its academic portfolio.

As detailed in the official ICAI Members portal, the educational architecture of ICAI spans across the core entry-level professional program, highly intensive post-qualification diplomas, and continuous upskilling certificate programs.

1. Chartered Accountancy (CA) Programme

The foundational layer of accounting courses by ICAI is the prestigious Chartered Accountant (CA) course. Governed by a modernised scheme of education and training, this flagship ICAI professional courses pathway is divided into three rigorous levels. It blends theoretical exams with mandatory practical training to mold qualified chartered accountant course graduates.

• CA Foundation: The entry point for high school graduates, focusing on accounting principles, business laws, quantitative aptitude, and commercial knowledge.

• CA Intermediate: Divided into two groups, this stage dives deep into advanced accounting, corporate laws, taxation (direct and indirect), costing, auditing, and financial management.

• Practical Training (Articleship): A mandatory on-the-job training phase where students work under a practising CA to gain real-world exposure to auditing and taxation.

• CA Final: The ultimate level, challenging students on advanced auditing, financial reporting, strategic financial management, and complex international and domestic tax laws.

2. ICAI Post-Qualification Diploma Courses

Passing the CA Final exam is a massive milestone, but specialised career paths often require deeper training. ICAI addresses this need through formal ICAI post qualification courses. These advanced corporate diplomas allow members to build high-level expertise in distinct financial niches:

• Diploma in Information Systems Audit (DISA): A highly demanded credential that trains CAs to audit complex corporate IT frameworks, assess cyber risks, and manage systems security.

• Post Qualification Diploma in International Taxation: Focuses on cross-border tax regulations, transfer pricing, and double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAA)—perfect for global consulting.

• Diploma in Insurance and Risk Management (DIRM): Tailored for professionals aiming to consult or work within the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sectors.

• Diploma on Management and Business Finance (DMBF): A specialised program structured to refine strategic management and corporate financial decision-making skills.

3. ICAI Certificate Courses

To ensure members can rapidly adapt without committing to full-length diplomas, the institute offers short-term, specialised ICAI certificate courses. These ICAI certification programs are continuously updated to cover bleeding-edge industry shifts, offering crucial skill sets for courses after CA:

Emerging Technology & New-Age Auditing

• Certificate Course on AI (Level 1 and Level 2)

• Executive Master Program - "New Age Auditors"

• Certificate Course on Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection (FAFD)

• Certificate Course on Working Paper Management (WPM)

Taxation & Legal Frameworks

• Certificate Course on GST

• Certificate Course on UAE Corporate Tax

• Certificate Course on FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act)

• Certificate Course on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016

• Certificate Course on Intellectual Property Rights Laws

• Certificate Course on Anti-Money Laundering Laws (AML Specialist)

Corporate Reporting, Finance & Markets

• Certificate Course on Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS)

• Certificate Course on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR)

• Certificate Course on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting and Impact Assessment

• Certificate Course on Financial Markets and Securities Laws

• Certificate Course on Fundamental & Technical Analysis of Stocks Including Equity Research

• Certificate Course on Valuation, Investment Banking, and Project Financing

Specialised Public & Practice Sectors

• Certificate Course on Concurrent Audit of Banks

• Certificate Course on Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)

• Certificate Course on Public Finance & Government Accounting

• Certificate Course on Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and Co-operatives

• Certificate Course on Overseas Outsourcing Services (e.g., US Market)

4. ICAI Special Courses & Skill Enrichment

Beyond traditional financial training, ICAI hosts ICAI special courses focused on alternative dispute resolution and soft-skill refinement. These ensure CAs can command boardrooms or act as legal mediators:

• Certificate Course on Arbitration and Mediation: Designed to build legal expertise for resolving commercial disputes outside traditional courts.

• Certificate Course on Business Consulting Skills: Helps practitioners scale their traditional compliance practices into high-value strategic advisory firms.

• Certificate Course on MSME & Startups: Focused entirely on understanding the financial architecture, governmental subsidies, and incubation setups required to advise emerging enterprises.