CA Intermediate January 2027 Registration: Eligibility, Last Date, Fees & Complete Guide

Clearing the CA Foundation examination or graduating from university marks the start of the next major chapter in your Chartered Accountancy journey: CA Intermediate. Under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) New Scheme of Education and Training, CA Intermediate examinations are conducted thrice a year in January, May, and September.

If you are planning to appear for the CA Intermediate January 2027 exam, understanding ICAI’s strict 8-month mandatory study period and registration timelines is critical. Registering even a day late will push your first eligible exam attempt back by four months to May 2027.

Furthermore, students often confuse Course Registration with Exam Application Form Submission. While course registration is a one-time enrollment valid for 5 years, exam forms must be submitted separately before every attempt.

This complete guide breaks down the confirmed cut-off dates, eligibility criteria across both entry routes, fee structures, required documents, SSP registration steps, and a practical roadmap to help you plan your January 2027 attempt effectively.

Before reviewing dates, it is essential to distinguish between the two separate milestones required by ICAI:

• CA Intermediate Course Registration: This is your formal admission into the CA Intermediate course via the ICAI Self-Service Portal (SSP). It initiates your mandatory 8-month study period clock and gives you access to physical study materials through the Centralized Dispatch System (CDS).
• CA Intermediate Exam Application Form: This is a separate, per-attempt form submitted approximately 2 months prior to the exam month along with the examination fee. Registering for the course does not automatically enroll you for the exam.

To appear in the January 2027 examination, you must complete your course registration on or before the official cut-off date to fulfill the 8-month study requirement.

Study Period Rule Explained: ICAI mandates that candidates must be registered for at least 8 months on or before the first day of the examination month (i.e., by January 1, 2027). Therefore, registering on or before May 1, 2026 is the absolute requirement for the January 2027 exam.

ICAI offers two primary entry pathways into the CA Intermediate course.

WHICH ROUTE APPLIES TO YOU?

Route 1: CA Foundation Route

• Who is it for? Candidates who have appeared and passed the CA Foundation examination.
• Requirements: Passed Class 12 and cleared CA Foundation with at least 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate.
• Options: Candidates can choose to register for Both Groups (₹18,000) or a Single Group (₹13,000).

Route 2: Direct Entry Scheme (Exempt from CA Foundation)

The Direct Entry Route allows qualified graduates and professionals to skip the Foundation level entirely:

• Commerce Graduates / Postgraduates: Must have completed graduation/post-graduation with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
• Non-Commerce Graduates / Postgraduates: Must have completed graduation/post-graduation with a minimum aggregate of 60% marks.
• Professional Course Candidates: Passed the Intermediate level examination conducted by The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) or the Executive level examination conducted by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).
• Provisional Registration for Final Year Students: College students in the final semester of their graduation can register provisionally. They must submit their final marksheets with qualifying percentage marks within 6 months of appearing in the final exam.

Important New Scheme Rule for Direct Entry: Under earlier schemes, Direct Entry students were required to start 9 months of articleship before taking exams. Under the New Scheme, Direct Entry students follow the same timeline as Foundation students: complete an 8-month study period, pass Both Groups of CA Intermediate, and then commence practical training.

All fees must be submitted online through the ICAI SSP portal. Below is the complete, consolidated fee breakdown:

Note: Direct Entry students must also pay ₹200 for the official course prospectus.

Before opening the registration form on the ICAI SSP portal, prepare scanned digital copies of the following documents (JPG/JPEG/PDF format, size between 100 KB and 300 KB):

• Recent passport-size photograph with a clear, light background.
• Scanned signature of the student in black ink on white paper.
• Attested copy of Class 12 marksheet / certificate.
• Attested copy of CA Foundation marksheet (for Foundation route).
• Attested copies of Graduation / Post-Graduation Marksheets or CS Executive / CMA Inter pass certificates (for Direct Entry route).
• Proof of Special Category (SC/ST/OBC/Differently Abled), if applicable.
• Valid Proof of Nationality / Visa (for foreign candidates).

The entire registration is conducted digitally via the Self-Service Portal.

Step 1: Log in to the SSP Portal

• Visit eservices.icai.org.
• Foundation Students: Log in using your existing Student Registration Number (e.g., NRO/WRO/SRO/ERO) and password.
• Direct Entry Students: Click “First Time User (New Student)”, generate an OTP via email/mobile, and establish your account credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to Intermediate Registration

• From the dashboard, click on “Student Cycle”.
• Select “Apply for Intermediate Course” (or “Intermediate through Direct Entry Form”).

Step 3: Complete Personal & Academic Details

• For Foundation students, basic personal information will be pre-populated. Verify all details for accuracy.
• Direct Entry candidates must enter their degree particulars, university board details, and exact percentage marks scored.

Step 4: Choose Group Preference & Upload Documents

• Select whether you are registering for Both Groups (recommended) or Single Group (Group 1 or Group 2).
• Upload your photograph, signature, and qualifying examination marksheets.

Step 5: Pay Registration Fees & Download Confirmation

• Submit the form and proceed to the secure online payment gateway.
• Pay the prescribed fee (₹18,000 for Both Groups / ₹13,000 for Single Group) via UPI, Debit/Credit Card, or Net Banking.
• Download and save your payment receipt and application PDF.

• Missing the 8-Month Registration Cut-Off: Registering after May 1, 2026 makes you ineligible for January 2027, automatically pushing your attempt to May 2027.
• Selecting Single Group on Registration: Registering for Both Groups immediately (₹18,000) keeps your options flexible. Even if registered for Both Groups, you can choose to appear for only One Group when filling the exam form later.
• Delaying Book Orders on the CDS Portal: Physical study modules are not dispatched automatically. Once your registration is approved by ICAI (5–10 days), you must log into icai-cds.org and redeem your free coupon to have your 6-subject books shipped to your address.
• Forgetting to Submit the Exam Form in November: Course registration does not grant entry to the exam hall. You must separately complete the ICAI Examination Form when the window opens.

Clearing CA Intermediate on your first attempt requires early preparation, structured planning, and expert mentorship across all 6 papers:

• Group 1: Advanced Accounting, Corporate & Other Laws, and Taxation.
• Group 2: Cost & Management Accounting, Auditing & Ethics, and FM-SM.

Explore comprehensive CA Inter Batches at Agrawal Classes, featuring live-interactive lectures, unlimited recorded backups, colored chart books, and ICAI-standard test series.