CA Intermediate Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Complete Guide

The most practical and numerical paper of Group I — and a favourite for scoring high marks. It builds on Foundation-level accounting and introduces Accounting Standards (AS), company accounts, and consolidated financial statements. Daily practice is non-negotiable.

• 1
  Accounting Standards (AS 1–AS 29)Disclosure, Cash Flows, Inventories, Leases, Investments, Impairment, EPS, Deferred Tax — highest weightage
  45–55%
• 2
  Company AccountsFinancial statements under Schedule III — P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow; Bonus/Rights issues
  10–15%
• 3
  Amalgamation & ReconstructionPurchase consideration, pooling/purchase method, internal and external reconstruction
  10–15%
• 4
  Consolidated Financial StatementsSubsidiary and associate consolidation, goodwill, minority interest / NCI
  10–15%
• 5
  Accounts of Special EntitiesBanking companies, NBFC, electricity companies, LLP accounts, partnership dissolution
  10–15%
• 6
  Framework for Financial ReportingConceptual framework, objectives, qualitative characteristics
  5%

This paper covers key legislation governing corporate India — primarily the Companies Act 2013. Case-study-based MCQs and application-based descriptive questions make this a concept-driven paper. Memorising section numbers and their implications is essential.

• 1
  Companies Act 2013 — Part I (Core Provisions)Incorporation, share capital, meetings, directors, Board, winding up, charge — highest weightage
  60–65%
• 2
  Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008LLP formation, rights and duties, winding up, conversion
  8–10%
• 3
  The General Clauses Act, 1897Definitions, rules of interpretation, application to statutes
  5%
• 4
  Interpretation of StatutesRules of construction, aids to interpretation, ejusdem generis
  5%
• 5
  Other Laws — FEMA, IBC (Basics), SEBIForeign exchange management, insolvency and bankruptcy code basics, SEBI regulations
  15–20%

One of the most amendment-heavy papers — students must prepare using the amendments applicable as of 31 October 2025 for the September 2026 exam. It is split into two mandatory sections: Direct Tax (Income Tax, 60 marks) and Indirect Tax (GST, 40 marks).

• A
  Income Tax — Heads of IncomeSalary, House Property, PGBP, Capital Gains, Other Sources — computation-based numericals
  30–35 Marks
• A
  Deductions, Setoff & Carry ForwardChapter VIA deductions (80C, 80D, 80G etc.), loss set-off rules, basic assessment
  15–18 Marks
• A
  Residential Status, Exemptions & TDSSec 10 exemptions, residential status determination, TDS provisions (Sec 192–206AA)
  10–15 Marks
• B
  GST — Supply, Charge & ExemptionsTaxable supply, levy and collection, composition scheme, exemption list
  15–18 Marks
• B
  GST — ITC, Place of Supply, ReturnsInput Tax Credit rules, reverse charge mechanism, filing of GSTR-1, 3B
  12–15 Marks
• B
  GST — Registration & Time of SupplyThreshold, mandatory registration, time and value of supply
  8–10 Marks

A largely numerical paper focused on cost determination, control, and decision-making. Students who practice consistently find this highly scoring — it is often used to boost aggregate marks. Both theory and numerical questions require equal attention.

• 1
  Cost Sheet & Cost Accounting BasicsClassification, concepts, cost sheet preparation, prime cost, conversion cost
  10–12%
• 2
  Material, Labour & Overhead CostingEOQ, FIFO/LIFO, idle time, overtime, absorption, departmental overhead
  18–22%
• 3
  Process Costing & Joint ProductsNormal/abnormal loss, joint cost apportionment, by-products
  10–15%
• 4
  Marginal Costing & CVP AnalysisBEP, P/V ratio, margin of safety, make-or-buy decisions, key factor analysis
  15–20%
• 5
  Standard Costing & Variance AnalysisMaterial, labour, overhead variances — computation and interpretation
  12–18%
• 6
  Budget & Budgetary ControlTypes of budgets, flexible budgets, zero-based budgeting, control ratios
  10–12%
• 7
  Activity-Based Costing (ABC)Cost drivers, cost pools, comparison with traditional absorption costing
  8–10%

Auditing rewards students who understand the why behind each Standard on Auditing (SA), not just the what. It is a conceptual paper where keywords, structured presentation, and case-study application are the differentiators for high marks.

• 1
  Nature, Objective & Scope of AuditTypes of audit, audit vs investigation, professional scepticism
  5–8%
• 2
  Audit Strategy, Planning & Risk AssessmentSA 300, SA 315 — understanding the entity, risk assessment procedures
  12–15%
• 3
  Audit Evidence & Procedures (SA 500-series)SA 500, 501, 505, 520 — audit procedures, external confirmations, analytical procedures
  18–22%
• 4
  Internal Control & Audit SamplingSA 265, SA 530 — evaluation of internal controls, statistical sampling
  10–12%
• 5
  Audit Reporting (SA 700-series)Audit report, modifications, emphasis of matter, going concern (SA 705, 706, 570)
  12–15%
• 6
  CARO 2020Specific CARO reporting requirements — clause-wise understanding
  5–8%
• 7
  Code of Ethics — ICAIFundamental principles, threats, safeguards, independence rules
  15–20%

This paper has two equal sections — Section A: Financial Management (50 marks) is numerical and formula-driven, while Section B: Strategic Management (50 marks) is conceptual and theory-based. Both sections carry equal weight, making balanced preparation across both mandatory.

• A
  Capital Budgeting & Investment DecisionsNPV, IRR, Payback Period, risk analysis — most scoring FM topic
  15–18 Marks
• A
  Cost of Capital & LeverageWACC, financial and operating leverage, EBIT-EPS analysis
  10–12 Marks
• A
  Capital Structure & Dividend DecisionsOptimal capital structure theories, MM theory, dividend policy models
  8–10 Marks
• A
  Working Capital ManagementCash, debtors, inventory management, operating cycle, CCC
  8–12 Marks
• B
  Introduction to Strategic ManagementVision, mission, objectives, strategic planning process
  8–10 Marks
• B
  Business Environment AnalysisPESTEL, Porter's Five Forces, SWOT — application to case studies
  12–15 Marks
• B
  Generic & Corporate StrategiesPorter's generic strategies, Ansoff matrix, BCG matrix, Blue Ocean
  12–15 Marks
• B
  Strategic Implementation & EvaluationBalanced Scorecard, strategy implementation challenges, control mechanisms
  8–10 Marks