The next significant phase of your career as a chartered accountant, CA Intermediate, begins when you pass the CA Foundation exam or graduate from college. The CA Intermediate exams are held three times a year in January, May, and September as part of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India's (ICAI) New Scheme of Education and Training.

It is essential to comprehend ICAI's rigorous 8-month obligatory study period and registration deadlines if you intend to take the CA Intermediate January 2027 exam. Your first eligible exam attempt will be delayed by four months, to May 2027, if you register even one day late.

Additionally, students frequently mix up the submission of exam application forms with course registration. Exam forms must be submitted separately before each try, even if course registration is a one-time enrollment good for five years.

To help you effectively organize your January 2027 attempt, this comprehensive guide breaks down the confirmed cut-off dates, eligibility requirements for both entry routes, pricing structures, necessary papers, SSP registration stages, and a useful roadmap.

CA Intermediate Registration vs. Exam Form: Understanding the Difference

It is crucial to differentiate between the two distinct milestones mandated by ICAI before examining dates:

• CA Intermediate Course Registration: Using the ICAI Self-Service Portal (SSP), you are formally admitted to the CA Intermediate course. It starts the clock for your required eight-month study time and provides you with tangible study materials via the Centralized Dispatch System (CDS).
• Application for the CA Intermediate Exam: This is an individual, per-attempt form that is submitted with the exam fee about two months before the exam month. You are not instantly enrolled for the exam when you register for the course.

CA Intermediate January 2027 Registration Timeline & Important Dates

CA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria: Foundation Route vs. Direct Entry Route

WHICH ROUTE APPLIES TO YOU?

Route 1: CA Foundation Route

• For whom is it intended? candidates who took the CA Foundation test and passed it.
• Requirements: Completed CA Foundation and passed Class 12 with a minimum of 40% on each paper and 50% overall.
• Options: Applicants may register for one group (₹13,000) or both groups (₹18,000).

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

Professionals and graduates who meet the requirements can completely avoid the Foundation level by using the Direct Entry Route:

• Graduates and postgraduates in commerce must have earned at least 55% of the possible points.
• Graduates and postgraduates in fields other than commerce must have earned at least 60% of the possible points.
• Candidates for Professional Courses: passed the Executive level exam administered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) or the Intermediate level exam administered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI).
• Final Year Students' Provisional Registration: Provisional registration is available to college students in their final semester of graduation. Within six months of the deadline, they must turn in their final marksheets with qualifying percentage marks.

CA Intermediate Registration Fees Structure (2026–2027)

Documents Required for CA Intermediate Registration

Prepare scanned digital copies of the following documents (in JPG, JPEG, or PDF format, with sizes ranging from 100 KB to 300 KB) before accessing the registration form on the ICAI SSP portal:

• A recent passport-sized photo with a light, clear background.
• The student's signature was scanned onto white paper using black ink.
• a certified copy of the Class 12 grade report.
• A certified copy of the CA Foundation marksheet (for the Foundation route).
• Attested copies of Graduation / Post-Graduation Marksheets or CS Executive / CMA Inter pass certificates (for Direct Entry route).
• Verification of any applicable Special Category (SC, ST, OBC, or Differently Abled).
• A valid visa or proof of nationality (for international candidates).

Step-by-Step CA Intermediate Registration Process on ICAI SSP Portal

Step 1: Log in to the SSP Portal

• Go to eservices.icai.org.
• Foundation Students: Enter your current password and Student Registration Number (such as NRO, WRO, SRO, or ERO) to log in.
• Students with Direct Entry: Click "First Time User (New Student)," create your account credentials, and send an OTP via email or cellphone.

Step 2: Navigate to Intermediate Registration

• Click "Student Cycle" from the dashboard.
• Choose "Intermediate through Direct Entry Form" or "Apply for Intermediate Course."

Step 3: Complete Personal & Academic Details

• Basic personal data will be pre-populated for Foundation students. Check the accuracy of every detail.
• Candidates for direct entry must provide their degree details, university board information, and precise grade percentage.

Step 4: Choose Group Preference & Upload Documents

• Choose between registering for one group (Group 1 or Group 2) or both groups (which is advised).
• Upload your qualifying exam results, photo, and signature.

Step 5: Pay Registration Fees & Download Confirmation

• Go to the safe online payment gateway after submitting the form.
• Use UPI, a debit or credit card, or net banking to pay the required amount (₹18,000 for both groups and ₹13,000 for a single group).
• Your application PDF and payment receipt should be downloaded and saved.

Common Mistakes Students Make During Registration

• Missing the 8-Month Registration Cut-Off: If you register after May 1, 2026, you will not be eligible for January 2027; your try will be automatically moved to May 2027.
• Choosing a Single Group for Registration: You have more alternatives if you register for both groups right away (₹18,000). When completing the exam form later, you have the option to appear for just one group even if you are registered for both.
• Postponing CDS Portal Book Orders: Modules for physical studies are not sent out automatically. You must log into icai-cds.org and use your free coupon to have your six-subject books mailed to your address when ICAI approves your registration, which should take five to ten days.
• Not Submitting the November Exam Form: Exam hall admission is not granted by registering for the course. When the window opens, you have to fill out the ICAI Examination Form separately.