CA Intermediate Syllabus 2026: Complete Paper-Wise Guide

If you just typed “CA inter syllabus” or “CA intermediate syllabus 2026” into Google, you are in the right place. Whether you’re a first-time aspirant figuring out where to start, or a repeater looking for the latest updates before your next attempt — this guide covers everything you need about the ICAI CA Intermediate syllabus in a clear, no-nonsense way.

Let’s get into it.

The CA Intermediate (CA Inter) is the second level of the Chartered Accountancy course conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It sits between CA Foundation and CA Final — and it’s the stage where most students feel the real weight of the CA journey.

The CA intermediate syllabus forms the backbone of your preparation. Know it well, and you’ll never waste time studying the wrong things or miss important topics on exam day.

Under the ICAI New Scheme of Education and Training (implemented from May 2024 onwards), the CA Inter syllabus has been significantly restructured. For the 2026 exams, this revised scheme is fully in effect for all three sessions — January 2026, May 2026, and September 2026.

This is one of the most commonly asked questions by new students: “What is Group 1 and Group 2 in CA?”

Simply put, the 6 CA Inter papers are divided into two groups of 3 papers each. You can attempt:

• Only Group I
• Only Group II
• Both Groups together in the same exam session

Each group is evaluated independently. You need to pass both groups to complete CA Intermediate. There’s no cross-group exemption — so if you clear Group I but fail Group II, you only need to reappear for Group II the next time.

Let’s go deep into each paper. This is the part that actually helps you plan your preparation.

Group: I | Marks: 100 | Pattern: 70 Marks Descriptive + 30 Marks MCQ

Advanced Accounting is more than just journal entries and ledger balancing. At the CA Inter level, it’s about understanding how financial information is prepared, presented, and interpreted for complex business situations.

The CA Inter accounts syllabus covers:

Module 1: Framework and Accounting Standards

• Application of Accounting Standards (AS 1 to AS 29 as applicable)
• Overview of IFRS and Ind AS framework
• Financial Statements and Framework for Preparation

Module 2: Company Accounts and Special Transactions

• Issue, Forfeiture, and Reissue of Shares
• Debentures and their accounting
• Final accounts of companies
• Profit prior to incorporation
• Redemption of Preference Shares and Debentures
• Cash Flow Statements

Module 3: Consolidated and Restructured Accounts

• Amalgamation, Absorption, and Reconstruction of companies
• Accounting for Mergers and Acquisitions
• Consolidation of Financial Statements (Holding and Subsidiary)
• Accounting for special entities: Banking, Insurance, and Electricity Companies
• Accounting for Hire Purchase and Lease Transactions
• Investment Accounting and Branch Accounts

Study tip: Don’t just memorize entries. Understand the why behind each accounting treatment. Questions in 2026 are framed around case-based scenarios where logical reasoning matters more than rote answers.

Group: I | Marks: 100 | Pattern: 70 Marks Descriptive + 30 Marks MCQ

This paper is divided into two distinct parts — Company Law and Other Business Laws. If you have always thought law is all about mugging up sections, 2026’s exam pattern will change that mindset. Case-based MCQs test your ability to apply the law, not just recall it.

Part I: Company Law (The Companies Act, 2013)

• Preliminary: Concept, types, and incorporation of companies
• Share capital and debentures
• Acceptance of deposits and borrowing powers
• Registration of charges
• Management and administration
• Declaration and payment of dividend
• Accounts, Audit, and Auditors
• Corporate Restructuring: Mergers, Acquisitions, Compromise, and Arrangements
• Prevention of Oppression and Mismanagement
• Winding up — voluntary and compulsory
• Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008

Part II: Other Business Laws

• The Indian Contract Act, 1872
• The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
• The General Clauses Act, 1897
• Interpretation of Statutes

Study tip: Build a chapter summary with section numbers and key provisions after every topic. Flowcharts for processes like winding up or LLP formation work really well for retention.

Group: I | Marks: 100 | Pattern: 70 Marks Descriptive + 30 Marks MCQ

Taxation is split into two clearly defined sections — Direct Tax and Indirect Tax. Together, they make up one of the most calculation-heavy and amendment-sensitive papers in the CA inter syllabus.

Section A: Income Tax Law (Approx. 60 Marks Weightage)

• Basic Concepts and Residence & Scope of Total Income
• Income under the head Salaries
• Income from House Property
• Profits and Gains of Business or Profession (PGBP)
• Capital Gains
• Income from Other Sources
• Income of other persons included in the assessee’s total income (Clubbing)
• Set-off and Carry Forward of Losses
• Deductions from Gross Total Income (Chapter VI-A)
• Assessment of Various Entities: Individual, HUF, Firms, AOP/BOI
• Tax Liability Computation and Return of Income
• Advance Tax, TDS, and TCS
• Assessment Procedure and Introduction to Tax Planning

Section B: Goods and Services Tax — GST (Approx. 40 Marks Weightage)

• GST in India: An Introduction (Constitutional background and framework)
• Levy and Collection of GST
• Supply: Concept, Time of Supply, Place of Supply
• Value of Supply
• Input Tax Credit (ITC): Conditions, restrictions, and reversal
• Registration: Persons liable, exempt, voluntary, and special categories
• Tax Invoice, Credit and Debit Notes
• Accounts and Records; E-way Bill
• Payment of Tax and GST Returns
• Introduction to Customs Duty

Important note for 2026: Tax laws change every year based on the Finance Act and GST Council notifications. Always prepare as per the Finance Act applicable to the relevant exam year. For the September 2026 exam, Finance Act 2026 provisions will apply. Always check ICAI’s RTP and MTP for the exact applicable amendments.

Group: II | Marks: 100 | Pattern: 70 Marks Descriptive + 30 Marks MCQ

This paper often gets underestimated by students who think it’s just a simpler version of accounts. It’s not. Cost and Management Accounting (CMA) is about decision-making — how businesses control costs, plan budgets, and optimize performance.

Module 1: Introduction and Elements of Cost

• Overview of Cost and Management Accounting
• Elements of Cost: Material, Labour, Overheads
• Cost Accounting vs Financial Accounting
• Cost Sheet and Cost Statement preparation

Module 2: Costing Methods

• Job Costing and Batch Costing
• Contract Costing and Service Costing
• Process Costing (including joint and by-products)
• Activity-Based Costing (ABC)

Module 3: Cost Control Techniques

• Marginal Costing and Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis
• Absorption Costing and difference with Marginal Costing
• Standard Costing and Variance Analysis
• Budgetary Control and Flexible Budgets

Module 4: Decision-Making

• Make or Buy Decisions
• Sell or Process Further Decisions
• Pricing Decisions (including Transfer Pricing basics)
• Key Factor Analysis / Limiting Factor Analysis
• Profit Planning

Study tip: Solve at least 3 to 5 numerical problems per topic before moving on. CMA is a subject where understanding without practice leads to exam-day confusion. Use ICAI’s practice manual as your primary numerical resource.

Group: II | Marks: 100 | Pattern: 70 Marks Descriptive + 30 Marks MCQ

The 2026 syllabus explicitly renames this paper Auditing and Ethics — and the addition of “Ethics” is not just cosmetic. Under the New Scheme, ethical reasoning and professional conduct have been woven into the audit framework. This reflects real-world expectations from Chartered Accountants.

Module 1: Nature, Objective, and Scope of Audit

• Evolution and Definition of Audit
• Objectives and Limitations of Audit
• Types of Audit: Statutory, Internal, Management

Module 2: Audit Planning, Strategy, and Execution

• Audit Planning and Audit Programme
• Audit Risk: Inherent, Control, Detection Risk
• Internal Controls and Internal Control System
• Internal Audit and its relationship with Statutory Audit
• Audit Sampling and Audit Procedures

Module 3: Audit Evidence and Documentation

• Meaning and Types of Audit Evidence
• Audit Documentation and Working Papers
• Substantive Procedures and Tests of Controls

Module 4: Audit of Various Entities

• Audit of Companies (Special considerations)
• Audit Report: Qualified, Unqualified, Disclaimer, and Adverse opinions
• Audit of Banks and Financial Institutions
• Audit of NGOs and Government Entities

Module 5: Professional Ethics and Code of Conduct

• ICAI’s Code of Ethics
• Fundamental Principles: Integrity, Objectivity, Confidentiality, Professional Competence
• Independence of Auditors
• Ethical dilemmas and Case Studies in Ethics
• Disciplinary Mechanism of ICAI

Study tip: For Ethics, don’t read it passively. Read ICAI’s published ethical case studies and think through what you would do as a professional. Examiners reward students who demonstrate judgment, not just section recall.

Group: II | Marks: 100 | Pattern: 70 Marks Descriptive + 30 Marks MCQ

This is one of the most interesting papers in the CA intermediate subjects list because it bridges two disciplines — the quantitative world of finance and the qualitative world of strategy. Think of it as the paper that prepares you to think like a CFO or a Business Leader.

Section A: Financial Management (Approx. 60 Marks)

Financial Analysis and Planning

• Ratio Analysis and Financial Statement Analysis
• Funds Flow and Cash Flow Analysis
• Financial Forecasting and Planning

Capital Structure and Financing Decisions

• Sources of Finance (long-term and short-term)
• Cost of Capital: Equity, Debt, WACC
• Capital Structure Theories: MM, Trade-off, Pecking Order
• Leverages: Operating, Financial, Combined

Investment Decisions

• Time Value of Money
• Capital Budgeting Techniques: NPV, IRR, Payback, ARR
• Risk in Capital Budgeting (Sensitivity Analysis, Scenario Analysis)

Working Capital Management

• Estimation of Working Capital needs
• Management of Cash, Debtors, Inventory, and Creditors
• Operating Cycle and Cash Conversion Cycle

Dividend Policy

• Theories of Dividend: Walter’s, Gordon’s, MM Hypothesis
• Forms of Dividends and Dividend Policy in Practice

Section B: Strategic Management (Approx. 40 Marks)

• Introduction to Strategy: Vision, Mission, Objectives, Goals
• Strategic Analysis: Environmental Analysis (PESTLE), Internal Analysis (SWOT)
• Porter’s Five Forces Model
• Strategy Formulation: Corporate Level (Growth, Stability, Retrenchment)
• Business Level Strategies: Cost Leadership, Differentiation, Focus
• Strategy Implementation: Structure, Leadership, Culture
• Strategic Control and Evaluation
• Digital Transformation and its Strategic Impact

Study tip: For Financial Management, work through numericals daily — especially NPV, IRR, and WACC problems. For Strategic Management, connect theory to real business examples. The case-based MCQs in this paper frequently present business scenarios and ask you to identify the right strategy.

If you’ve been around the CA space for a while, or if you’re converting from the old scheme, here’s a clear picture of what’s different:

The removal of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) is significant for students converting from the old scheme — that paper no longer exists under the new structure.

Every paper under the ICAI CA Inter syllabus new scheme follows a 70:30 pattern:

• 70 marks — Descriptive / Subjective questions (long answers, case-based application)
• 30 marks — Objective MCQs (case-scenario-based, not simple factual recall)
• No negative marking for wrong MCQ answers

This is a crucial point: the MCQs in the new scheme are not the kind you can guess your way through. They are case-scenario-based, meaning you’ll be given a business situation and asked to pick the correct answer based on your understanding. This rewards students who genuinely understand concepts, not just those who memorize.

This comes up a lot, so let’s be very clear:

• You need at least 40% marks in each individual paper.
• You need at least 50% aggregate marks in each group.
• If you score 39 in any single paper, you fail that group — regardless of your aggregate.
• There are exemptions available: if you score 60 or more in a paper but fail the group, that paper is exempted in subsequent attempts (valid for a limited period).

Under the new ICAI scheme, the CA Intermediate exam is held three times a year — in January, May, and September. This gives students more flexibility to plan their attempts and reduces the pressure of having only two chances per year.

This also means your preparation timeline can be more structured. You can, for instance, attempt Group I in May 2026 and Group II in September 2026 if you prefer a focused approach.

To download the CA intermediate syllabus PDF, always go to the official ICAI source:

Official ICAI Website: www.icai.org

The ICAI website has the official syllabus PDF, study material module-wise, Revision Test Papers (RTPs), Mock Test Papers (MTPs), and past question papers — all available for free.

Additionally, the RTPs released before each exam are extremely important because they reflect:

• The latest amendments applicable to that exam
• ICAI’s expected question format for the session
• Topics that are typically given more weightage

Make it a habit to download and work through the RTP for every session you appear in.

This is the question every student asks before each session. The short answer: No major structural changes in 2026.

The six-paper structure, group division, 70:30 exam pattern, and passing criteria remain the same across January, May, and September 2026 sessions.

However — and this is crucial — amendments matter every year. Even when the syllabus framework doesn’t change, the following can (and do) update:

• Income Tax provisions (as per the applicable Finance Act)
• GST rates, rules, and Council notifications
• Companies Act amendments
• New Accounting Standards or revisions to existing ones
• ICAI’s Code of Ethics updates

Always prepare with the latest amendments as reflected in the ICAI study material and RTPs for your specific attempt. RTPs and MTPs are your best guide to what’s amendment-applicable for each session.

These ratings are based on typical student feedback and first-attempt pass rates. Your experience may differ based on your background and preparation approach.

1. Start with the ICAI Study Material

This point cannot be stressed enough. The ICAI study material is your bible. Before you look at any third-party coaching notes or books, ensure you’ve read the relevant chapters in ICAI’s official modules. Every question in the exam is ultimately derived from this material.

2. Follow the 70:30 Pattern in Your Practice

Since 30% of your marks come from MCQs, integrate MCQ practice into every study session — not just during revision. Practice case-based MCQs specifically, not just factual Yes/No type questions.

3. Build a Weekly Study Schedule

Don’t just study — schedule. Allocate specific days to specific papers. A sample weekly approach:

• Monday–Tuesday: Accounting or Taxation (numerical-heavy)
• Wednesday: Law or Auditing (reading + summarizing)
• Thursday–Friday: CMA or Financial Management (problems)
• Saturday: Mixed revision and MCQ practice
• Sunday: Light review or concept mapping

4. Amendments First for Law and Tax

Law and Taxation are living subjects — they change with every Finance Bill and legislative amendment. Before sitting for any session, check the ICAI-notified amendments and update your preparation accordingly.

5. Solve RTPs and MTPs Without Looking at Answers First

The Revision Test Papers and Mock Test Papers released by ICAI are the closest simulation of the actual exam. Don’t use them as reading material — sit down, set a timer, and attempt them like a real exam. Then evaluate. This reveals gaps in your preparation that no amount of reading can reveal.

6. Give Attention to Ethics in Auditing

With Ethics now a formal and examined part of Paper 5, many students underestimate it. Read ICAI’s ethical guidelines and case studies. The examiner will test your reasoning and professional judgment, not just your ability to quote sections.

7. Don’t Attempt Both Groups Together if Not Ready

Many students try to clear both groups in one go, which is admirable but risky if your preparation is not solid for all six papers. Be honest with yourself. Clearing one group with good scores is better than failing both by trying to cover too much too soon.

Under the New Scheme, ICAI has introduced Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOMs) — four modules that must be completed after clearing CA Intermediate and during the articleship period. These modules are mandatory before you can sit for the CA Final exam.

While SPOMs are not part of the CA Inter exam itself, it’s good to be aware of them early so you can plan your articleship timeline accordingly.

Many students searching for “junior accountant PSC syllabus” land on CA-related pages because both deal with accounting and finance. They are, however, completely different exams:

• CA Intermediate is a professional exam conducted by ICAI, leading to the Chartered Accountant qualification.
• Junior Accountant PSC (Public Service Commission) exams are government recruitment exams conducted by state or central PSCs for accounting posts in government departments.

The PSC Junior Accountant syllabus typically covers topics like basic accounting principles, financial rules, government accounting procedures, auditing fundamentals, and general aptitude. The depth and scope are different from CA Inter.

If you’re preparing for CA Inter, the conceptual foundation you build in subjects like Accounting, Taxation, and Auditing will give you an advantage in PSC accounting exams as well — but they are separate preparation journeys.

The CA Intermediate syllabus 2026 under the ICAI New Scheme is designed to produce Chartered Accountants who are not just technically competent but also practically sharp, ethically grounded, and analytically strong.

With six focused papers, a 70:30 exam pattern that rewards genuine understanding, case-based questions that test real-world application, and three exam sessions per year giving you more opportunities the new structure actually works in a sincere student’s favor.

What it demands in return is consistency. Not cramming. Not last-minute shortcuts. Just consistent, structured, amendment-aware preparation built around ICAI’s official material.

If you start right, stay organized, and keep revising, clearing CA Inter is absolutely achievable, even on the first attempt.