CA Intermediate January 2027: exam dates, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
The CA Intermediate is the second level of the chartered accountancy course of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI): six papers in two groups, held three times a year. What students want to know now: for January 2027, Group I is on 2, 4 and 6 January and Group II on 8, 10 and 12 January 2027, and the online exam form opens on 3 November 2026 (checked 20 October 2026 in ICAI's announcement of 23 September 2026 and its important-dates notice). This guide covers the dates, the form, the pattern, the pass and exemption rules, and a plan.
CA Intermediate at a glance
| Conducting body | The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| What it is for | The second stage of the CA course, before practical training and the Final |
| Mode | Pen and paper at a centre |
| Papers | Six papers of 100 marks in two groups of three; one group or both per attempt |
| Time | 3 hours a paper, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. IST, plus 15 minutes' reading time |
| Marking | 30 marks of MCQs (no negative marking) and 70 marks of written answers in every paper |
| Languages | English or Hindi, chosen on the form |
| How often | Three times a year |
| Official website | icai.org |
CA Intermediate January 2027 exam dates
| Group | Papers | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | Papers 1, 2 and 3 | 2, 4 and 6 January 2027 (Saturday, Monday, Wednesday) |
| Group II | Papers 4, 5 and 6 | 8, 10 and 12 January 2027 (Friday, Sunday, Tuesday) |
ICAI's announcement gives the dates group by group; the paper for each day will be on your admit card and in ICAI's detailed notices. Every paper is 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. IST, with 15 minutes' advance reading time from 1.45 p.m. The schedule does not change if a day is declared a public holiday.
| Exam form (January 2027) | Date |
|---|---|
| Form opens | 3 November 2026, 10:00 IST |
| Last date without late fee | 16 November 2026, 23:59 IST |
| Last date with late fee | 19 November 2026, 23:59 IST |
| Correction window | 20 to 22 November 2026 |
The January 2027 fee chart gives, for a centre in India, ₹1,500 for one group and ₹2,700 for both groups, plus a late fee of ₹600. Our CA Intermediate exam-dates page keeps the dates together.
How to apply for CA Intermediate January 2027
- Check eligibility: ICAI's requirements notice says you need eight months of study as on 1 January 2027, that is, registration in the Intermediate course on or before 1 May 2026.
- Log in to the ICAI Self Service Portal from 3 November 2026.
- Revalidate a lapsed registration or convert an old course code first, if the portal asks; the requirements notice explains both.
- Choose one group or both, your exam city and your medium (English or Hindi).
- If you hold exemptions in a paper, check the separate exemption window and notes on the January 2027 page.
- Pay online by 16 November (19 November with the late fee) and keep the PDF of the bar-coded form.
- Use the correction window from 20 to 22 November if needed, then download the admit card when released.
CA Intermediate exam pattern
| Group | Paper | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | 1. Advanced Accounting | 100 |
| I | 2. Corporate and Other Laws | 100 |
| I | 3. Taxation (A: Income-tax Law 50; B: GST 50) | 100 |
| II | 4. Cost and Management Accounting | 100 |
| II | 5. Auditing and Ethics | 100 |
| II | 6. Financial Management and Strategic Management (A: FM 50; B: SM 50) | 100 |
Since May 2024, every paper has 30 marks of multiple-choice questions and 70 marks of written questions in one three-hour booklet. The MCQs carry 1 or 2 marks, have four options, are compulsory and are mostly set on case scenarios; answers go on an OMR sheet on the cover of the answer book. In ICAI's papers, the written part has Question 1 compulsory and any four of the other five, 14 marks each.
Is there negative marking in CA Intermediate? No. A wrong MCQ answer costs nothing, so never leave an MCQ blank.
What is the CA Intermediate pass mark? To pass a group you need, in one sitting, at least 40 marks in each of its three papers and at least 150 of its 300 marks (50%). If you sit all papers of a group and fail it but score 60 or more in a paper, you may carry that paper forward as an exemption for the next three examinations, under the conditions in ICAI's guidance notes.
Tax law: January 2027 still follows the Income-tax Act, 1961. ICAI says the Income-tax Act, 2025 is examined from the May 2027 attempt, so use study material for the right attempt.
CA Intermediate syllabus
The six papers are listed above. The topic list and section weightage for each are in ICAI's Intermediate syllabus. Our CA Intermediate syllabus page summarises it, and our practice covers Paper 1 Advanced Accounting in full and Paper 4 MCQs in English and Hindi.
A ten-week plan for January 2027
| Weeks | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Decide: one group or both. Take the CA Intermediate Paper 1 mock test to see where you stand. |
| 2–5 | Finish the syllabus of every paper you are sitting. Daily: one written question in full and 15 MCQs from a different paper. Apply in the November window. |
| 6–7 | ICAI's mock test papers and past question papers, one paper every second day, timed at three hours. Mark your written answers against ICAI's suggested answers. |
| 8–9 | Second round of timed papers. Spend the first 25 to 30 minutes on the MCQs, which are 30 sure marks with no penalty. Analyse every paper (how to analyse a mock test). |
| 10 | Revise in exam order; papers are two days apart, so each gap belongs to the next paper. |
Because the pass rule is 40 in every paper and 50% of the group, your weakest paper decides the group.
Useful links
- ICAI examinations, January 2027: announcements, dates, fees, exemption notes
- ICAI Self Service Portal: exam form and admit card
- Intermediate syllabus with weightage (PDF)
- Free CA Intermediate mock tests on Mockrooms (practice tests, not ICAI's own)
- CA Intermediate syllabus
- CA Intermediate exam dates
- CA Foundation January 2027 guide
Frequently asked questions
When is the CA Intermediate January 2027 exam?
Group I on 2, 4 and 6 January 2027 and Group II on 8, 10 and 12 January 2027, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. IST (checked 20 October 2026 in ICAI's announcement).
When does the CA Intermediate January 2027 form open?
On 3 November 2026 on eservices.icai.org. The last date is 16 November without late fee and 19 November with it.
Is there negative marking in CA Intermediate MCQs?
No. The 30 marks of MCQs in each paper carry no negative marking.
What is the passing mark for CA Intermediate?
40 marks in each paper of a group and 50% of the group's 300 marks, in one sitting.
Can I write CA Intermediate in Hindi?
Yes, if you choose Hindi medium. Hindi-medium candidates get bilingual papers, except Paper 1 and Paper 3, which are printed in English but may be answered in Hindi.
What is exemption in CA Intermediate?
If you fail a group but score 60 or more in a paper, you may carry that paper forward for the next three examinations, under ICAI's conditions.