CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria 2026, Age Limit, Qualification
Ca Narayan3 Feb, 2026
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CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria 2026: Students planning to register for the CA Intermediate May 2026 exams must meet the CA Intermediate eligibility criteria and other academic requirements set by ICAI. The CA intermediate May 2026 eligibility requirements include educational qualifications, age limit, and more. Meeting these criteria is essential for completing the CA Intermediate 2026 registration process and progressing toward a better career in accounting.
It is also crucial for students to know that ICAI will conduct the CA Intermediate May 2026 examination under the existing scheme of education and training. Read the complete article to get the CA Intermediate Eligibility criteria details issued by ICAI.
CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria 2026 Highlights
CA Intermediate eligibility criteria are released by the ICAI official website. The CA intermediate eligibility criteria highlights a re given in the table below.
| CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria 2026 Highlights | |
| Exam Name | CA Intermediate Exam |
| Exam conducting body | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| Mode of exam | Pen and Paper-based |
| Frequency | Thrice a year |
| Group | 2 |
| Level of exam | National level |
| No. of Papers | 6 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Medium of Exam | English/ Hindi |
CA Intermediate Eligibility 2026 Important Dates
As we now have detailed information regarding CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria for the May 2026 session, let’s familiarize ourselves with the CA Intermediate Important Dates 2026. The table below lets you know the CA Intermediate May 2026 exam dates:
| CA Intermediate Eligibility Important Dates 2026 | |
| Events | Important Dates |
| The last date for submitting the CA Intermediate application form without a fine | March 16, 2026 |
| Last date for submitting the CA Intermediate application form with a fine of Rs.600/- (US Dollar $10) |
March 19, 2026 |
| CA Intermediate Admit Card 2026 release date |
15 Days before the exam |
| CA Intermediate Exam Date May 2026 |
Group I: 3rd, 5th and 7th of May 2026 Group II: 9th, 10th and 13th of May 2026 |
CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria May 2026
Prospective candidates have two pathways to register for the CA Intermediate program. The initial route involves enrolling through the CA Foundation program, while the alternative route allows direct entry after successfully completing graduation, post-graduation, or a specific professional degree program level.
Outlined below are the comprehensive qualification and eligibility criteria for the CA Intermediate 2026 exam registration, which candidates should carefully review before submitting their application.
CA Foundation Route
Students who have successfully passed the Common Proficiency Course or CA Foundation exam can apply for the CA Intermediate exam group(s). To register for the CA Intermediate exam, eligible candidates only need to pay the Intermediate registration fees. For those planning to appear in the CA Intermediate program examination, it's important to have completed eight months of the study course by the first day of the month in which the exams are scheduled to take place.Direct Entry Route
Individuals possessing diverse qualifications can also qualify to take the CA Intermediate examination directly.How to get Direct Entry in CA Intermediate?
Individuals with a graduate or postgraduate degree, or those holding professional qualifications like CS or CMA, qualify for direct entry into the CA Intermediate level. Here's the CA Intermediate eligibility criteria for candidates with such qualifications.CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria after Graduation and Post Graduation
Individuals holding a commerce degree (graduate or postgraduate) with a minimum of 55% marks can apply directly for the CA Intermediate course. Alternatively, those from non-commerce backgrounds can register for the CA Intermediate examination if they have achieved a minimum of 60% marks. To be eligible for the CA Inter exam, students must complete the 9-month study course by the first day of the examination month.CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria for CS and CMA Students
Individuals who have successfully cleared the CS Executive level from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and those who have finished the CMA Intermediate program from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India are eligible to apply for the CA Inter examination groups. To be eligible, these candidates must finish the 9-month study course by the first day of the month in which the examination is scheduled.CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria 2026 Important Points
The CA Intermediate eligibility criteria set by ICAI includes the following important points:- Graduates from open universities can apply directly for the CA Inter examination.
- Commerce graduates or postgraduates specializing in accounting, auditing, mercantile laws, corporate laws, economics, management, taxation, costing, business administration, or related subjects are exempted from the CA Foundation course. They are eligible for direct entry into CA Intermediate.
- Students in their final year of graduation can provisionally register for the CA Intermediate examination. However, they must provide proof of passing within 6 months of the final qualifying examination. Provisionally registered candidates can begin their practical training in ICITSS (Information technology and orientation course).
CA Intermediate Registration 2026
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has introduced a user-friendly self-service portal (SSP) to streamline the registration process. Throughout their academic journey, students can conveniently utilize SSP for any administrative queries without the need for physical visits. For CA Intermediate level course registration, candidates have two options:- Foundation Course Qualifiers: Those who have successfully completed the CA Foundation can register for the CA Inter examination. By paying the Intermediate registration fees only, students can switch to direct entry.
- Direct Entry Route: Individuals who have passed CMA Inter or CS Executive level exams can register for the CA Inter examination through the direct entry scheme. Using the SSP, candidates can access the online CA Inter registration form under the "Entry Level Forms" tab on the portal. They need to fill in required details, upload self-attested documents, and pay the registration fee to complete the process.
After registration, students must order their study material through the centralized dispatch on the portal icai-cds.org. This ensures a smooth and efficient registration experience for aspiring Chartered Accountants.