Revised Scheme of Education for CA Course, FAQs and Implementation Schedule

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has formulated the Revised Scheme of Education and Training in lines with International Education Standards issued by International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) after considering the inputs from various stakeholders. The Revised Scheme of Education and Training for CA course will come into effect from 1st July, 2017. The Scheme of the Course is available at http://resource.cdn.icai.org/45556bos35643summary.pdf

In order to answers the queries which may arise in the mind of stakeholders with respect to Revised Scheme, FAQs have been framed which are available at http://resource.cdn.icai.org/45555bos35643faq.pdf.

Further, below is the implementation schedule depicting the information regarding the last date of registration under Existing Scheme, date of commencement of registration under Revised Scheme, last exam at all levels under Existing Scheme and the number of parallel attempts of examinations at all levels under both Exiting and Revised Scheme. Please note detailed paper wise exemption plan will be notified in due course.

Implementation schedule of Revised Scheme of Education and Training:

ICAI’s FAQs on Revised CA Courses (Foundation/ Intermediate/ Final)

The ICAI has issued a set of 57 FAQs to clarify the queries which may arise in the mind of students/ stakeholders with regard to the Revised CA Course (Foundation/ Intermediate/ Final/ ICITSS/ AICITSS), which are to be implemented w.e.f. 1 July, 2017, as under:

Q1: Under the Revised Scheme what is the nomenclature for all the three levels?

Ans: The three levels will now be called as Foundation, Intermediate and Final in place of earlier levels i.e. Common Proficiency Course (CPC), Intermediate (Integrated Proficiency Competence) Course and Final.

Q2: When is the first examination going to be held at all levels under Revised Scheme?

Ans: In May, 2018.

Q3: When can I register for Foundation Course?

Ans: For registering in Foundation Course, a student must have appeared in class 12th Examination.

Q4: I have just appeared Class 12th Examination and results are still awaited, when can I join the Course?

Ans: You can register in CPC till 30th June 2017 and can appear for CPT in Dec. 2017.

In case you register after 30th June 2017, you have to compulsorily register in Foundation (under the Revised Scheme) and can appear for Foundation Examination in May 2018.

Q5: If I register in Foundation Course on 1st July, 2017 when can I appear for Foundation examination?

Ans: For appearing in Foundation Examination, a student must have completed 4 months of study period and have qualified class 12th Examination. Accordingly, you will be able to appear in May 2018 Foundation exams.

Q6: When are the Foundation Examinations held and what is the cut-off date of registration in Foundation?

Ans: The Foundation Examinations will be held in the month of May and November every year. 31st Dec. and 30th June is the cut-off date for registration for being eligible to appear in May and November examinations respectively covering a study period of four months.

Q7: I appeared in Class XII Examination in March-April-2017 and my XII result were declared in May 2017, Can I register for Foundation Course now so as to appear in Foundation Examination in November 2017 ?

Ans: You can register for the Foundation Course as per the Revised Scheme on or after 1st July, 2017. The 1st Examination of Foundation under the Revised Scheme will held in May, 2018 Examination so you will be eligible to appear in May 2018.

If you want to register for CA Course now, you can do so by registering for the existing Common Proficiency Course (CPC) till 30th June, 2017, the examination of the same will be held in December, 2017.

In future however, any student who has appeared Class XII and registered for Foundation course on or before 30th June/31st December and after qualifying Class XII Examination will be eligible to write in the respective November/May examination.

Q8: How many Papers are there in Foundation?

Ans: There will be 4 papers in Foundation.

Q9: What is the examination pattern in Foundation Course?

Ans: Out of 4 papers, 2 papers are subjective type (Paper 1 & 2) and rest of the 2 papers are objective type (Paper 3 & 4).

Q10: Is there negative marking in Foundation like CPT?

Ans: Yes. Negative marking is for Papers 3 & 4 only and not for subjective papers i.e. 1 & 2.

Q11: What are the papers in Foundation?

Please refer: above Clip.

Q12: How can I qualify Foundation Examination?

Ans: You can qualify Foundation Examination by securing 50 % in aggregate and 40 % in each subject individually.

Q13: When can I register for Intermediate Course?

Ans: A student can register in Intermediate Course w e f 1st July 2017, if qualified PE I /CPT/ Foundation or if joining through Direct Entry Route.

Q14: If I register in Intermediate Course on 1st July 2017 through CPT route, when can I appear for Intermediate Exams?

Ans: You can appear in Intermediate exams in May 2018. You have to complete 8 months of study period before appearing for the Intermediate Examination.

Q15: I am appearing / have appeared for CPT examination in June 2017 how can I register in IPCC Course (existing scheme)?

Ans: The results of CPT June 2017 will be declared in July 2017 while the existing scheme will be discontinued w e f 1st July 2017. Hence you will have to compulsorily register in Intermediate Course under New Scheme.

Q16: I have cleared CPT in July, 2017, Can I register for Intermediate Course?

Ans: Yes, after clearing CPT in July, 2017, you can register for Intermediate Course under the Revised Course.

Q17: If I qualify CPT- June 2017 examination, when will I be eligible to appear for Intermediate Examination?

Ans: For appearing in Intermediate examination a study period of eight months is required. Accordingly, you have to register latest by 1st Sep., 2017 in Intermediate Course for being eligible to appear in May 2018 Examination.

Q18: When are the Intermediate Examinations held and what is the cut-off date of registration in Intermediate?

Ans: The Intermediate Examinations will be held in the month of May and November every year. 1st Sep. and 1st March is the cut-off date for registration for being eligible to appear in May and November examinations respectively under the Foundation Route.

Q19: I wish to join CA Course under Revised Scheme through Direct Entry Route. When can I join the course so as to be eligible for May 2018 Examinations

Ans: You have to register in Intermediate on 1st July 2017 and complete 4 weeks of ICITSS and commence the Practical Training latest by 1st August 2017 to be eligible to appear for May 2018 examination. Through Direct Entry route, a Student can appear in Intermediate after completion of 9 months of Practical Training.

Under Direct Entry Route, a student has to commence the practical training latest by 1st August/ 1st Feb. for being eligible to appear in May/ Nov. examinations respectively.

Q20: I am through Foundation/ CPT route, when can I commence Practical Training?

Ans: After passing either or both groups of Intermediate examination and successfully completing Four Weeks Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS), you can commence Practical Training.

Q21: I am through Direct Entry Route, when can I commence Practical Training?

Ans: Immediately after registering for Intermediate Course and successful completion of Four Weeks Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS), you can commence Practical Training.

Q22: I have qualified Intermediate level examination of Institute of Company Secretaries of India or Institute of Cost Accountants of India, when can I commence Practical Training?

Q23: What are the papers in Intermediate?

Please refer: above Clip.

Q24: What are the papers at the Final level under the Revised Scheme?

Please refer: above Clip.

Q25: When can I register for the Final Course under the Revised Scheme?

Ans: The registration under the Revised Scheme for the Final Course will start from July 1, 2017.

Q26: When can I appear for the Final Examination under the Revised Scheme?

Ans: Under the Revised Scheme, you can appear for the Final examination during the last six months of Practical Training and after successfully completing Four Weeks Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (ICITSS)

Q27: What is the duration of Practical Training?

Ans: Three years.

Q28: I have registered for only Group-I / Group-II of IPCC, under which scheme will I be eligible to appear in Nov. 2017 onwards?

Ans: You have to register in the remaining group latest by 30th Jun 2017 to continue in the Existing scheme, else, have to compulsorily register under the Revised Scheme for the remaining group after 30th June, 2017.

Q29: I have registered for only Group-I / Group-II of IPCC and taken May 2017 Exams, suppose I do not qualify and register for balance Group under revised scheme how will I appear in Nov. 2017?

Ans: You can register for the balance group under the existing scheme till 30th June, 2017 and can continue till the available attempts or else you have to compulsorily switch over to revised scheme. In other words, you cannot appear both in existing and revised scheme.

Q30: I’m currently pursuing articleship and in 1st/2nd year of training. I have not yet registered for Final course. Do I compulsorily need to register for Final Course before 30th June, 2017 in order to continue under existing scheme.

Ans: Yes. Only the students registered under the existing scheme till 30th June 2017 will be able to pursue the course as per existing scheme, thereafter they will have register under the revised scheme only.

Q31: What will be our attempt if our first group is already passed and registered in articleship in March 2017.

Ans: In Nov. 2017, you can appear in IPCC Group-II (provided you have registered for Group-II or both Groups uptil 30th June 2017) under the existing scheme for the available attempts.

Q32: I have qualified Group-I of IPCC and undergoing last 6 months of articleship. I have taken Group-II exams in May 2017 and if I qualify the same, when will my 1st Final Attempt be?

Ans: This aspect is under consideration and separate clarification will be issued shortly.

Q33: Is it possible to apply for new intermediate course on qualifying CPT Dec., 2016 or earlier attempts (but not registered for IPCC Course till date)?

Ans: If you register till 30th June 2017, you will register for IPCC under the Existing Scheme if not done till 30th June, 2017, you will compulsorily register for Intermediate under the Revised Scheme.

Q34: I have valid registration for CPT/ IPCC as on 1st July 2017 but if it expires before taking up exams. Can I take up the exams under existing scheme by revalidating or have to switch to Revised Scheme?

Ans: The revalidation under the existing scheme can be done even after 1st July 2017 till the available attempts of Examinations of that level under the existing scheme.

Q35: I have completed PE II/ PCC/IPCC. How can I appear for Final Exam under existing scheme in Nov. 17 / May, 2018?

Ans: For appearing in Final Exam under existing scheme, a student has to register himself in Final Course under existing scheme till 30th June, 2017.

Q36: I am appearing for IPCC Examinations in Nov., 2017, under which scheme will I be able to appear in Final?

Ans: After qualifying IPCC Examinations in Nov., 2017, you have to register in Final Course under the revised scheme. From 1st July, 2017 and onwards, students can register only under Revised Scheme as the existing scheme will be discontinued from 1st July, 2017.

Q37: If I have registered for CPT before 30th June, 2017 will I be allowed to switch over to Foundation at a later stage?

Ans: At any point of time, you can switch over to Foundation Course.

Q38: Which is the last examination of CPT?

Ans: June, 2019 will be the last CPT examination.

Q39: If I have registered for IPCC before 30th June, 2017 will I be allowed to switch over to Intermediate at a later stage?

Ans: At any point of time, you can switch over to Intermediate Course.

Q40: Which is the last examination of IPCC course?

Ans: May, 2019 will be the last IPCC examination.

Q41: If I have registered for Final (existing scheme) before 30th June, 2017 will I be allowed to switch over to Final (revised scheme) at a later stage?

Ans: At any point of time, you can switch over to Final (revised) Course.

Q42: Which is the last examination of Final (existing) Course?

Ans: November, 2020 will be the last examination of Final (existing) course.

Q43: How many parallel attempts will be given to students under CPT- Foundation, IPCC- Intermediate and Final (existing) – Final (revised)?

Ans: Number of parallel attempts for CPT- Foundation, IPCC- Intermediate and Final (existing) – Final (revised) will be 3, 3 and 6 respectively.

Q44: Can I register for articleship/practical training after clearing only 2nd group of Intermediate instead of the old regime of mandatory passing 1st Group of IPCC before being eligible for enrolling under articleship/practical training?

Ans: Yes, the same has been changed and you may register for practical training after passing either of any of the group or both the groups of Intermediate.

Q45: Suppose I have appeared for 12th Boards/final examination in March 2018, I am eligible to appear in June 2018 attempt of CPT under current structure of the course but under the new course structure, am I still eligible for appearing in May 2018 of Foundation or I will be eligible for November 2018 attempt only.

Ans: Under the new structure, you must have completed 4 months of study period and have qualified class 12th examination and therefore, you will be eligible for appearing in November 2018 attempt or onwards and not May 2018 attempt.

Q46: Is (ICITSS) under new scheme is similar to Information Technology and Orientation Course?

Ans: Yes, only the nomenclature of the course has been changed. The course starting w.e.f 1st July 2017, shall be named as ICITSS.

Q47: I am student under existing scheme and have undergone OC and ITT. Do I need to undergo ICITSS?

Ans: No. The students under the existing scheme who have undergone OC and ITT are not required to undergo ICITSS

Q48: I am student under existing scheme and have not undergone OC and ITT. Do I need to undergo ICITSS?

Ans: Yes. The student has to undergo ICITSS.

Q49: Will Board of Studies provide study material for ICITSS?

Ans: The Board of Studies will provide study material for ICITSS.

Q50: Will the students get a certificate after the successful completion of the course?

Ans: The students will get a certificate from the concerned POU after successful completion of the course.

Q51: What is the duration of undergoing Advanced ICITSS course?

Ans: The duration of undergoing the course is four weeks.

Q52: Is GMCS and Advanced ITT similar to Advanced ICITSS same?

Ans: Yes, GMCS and Advanced ITT are similar to Advanced ICITSS. Advance Four Weeks Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS) is consisting General Management and Communication Skills & Advanced Information Technology Training.

Q53: Is the revised syllabus applicable for student registered in the existing scheme?

Ans: The syllabus of GMCS and Advanced ITT will be applicable for both the student registered in existing as well as Revised Scheme in the courses conducted w.e.f 1st July 2017.

Q54: When can I undergo Advanced ICITSS?

Ans: Advance ICITSS can be undergone anytime during last 2 years of Practical Training but compulsorily before appearing for the final examination under the Revised Scheme.

Q55: I am student under existing scheme and have undergone GMCS and Advanced ITT. Do I need to undergo Advanced ICITSS?

Ans: No. The students under the existing scheme who have undergone GMCS and Advanced ITT are not required to undergo Advanced ICITSS

Q56: I am student under existing scheme and have not undergone GMCS and Advanced ITT. Do I need to undergo Advanced ICITSS?

Ans: Yes. You have to undergo Advanced ICITSS before applying for membership of the Institute

Q57: What is the duration of undergoing Advanced ICITSS course?

Ans: The duration of undergoing the course is four weeks.