CA Final and Intermediate Exam Exemption Guidelines

In the realm of Chartered Accountancy, an exemption can serve as a lifeline for students tackling the complexities of CA Intermediate and Final exams. But what exactly does this exemption entail? It’s a scenario where, if a student faces challenges in one subject but excels with a score of 60% or higher in another, they are granted an exemption for the subject they struggled with. This means they only need to focus on the subjects where they didn’t quite meet the mark. It’s essential to bear in mind that this exemption applies to a maximum of three subjects, no more.

To navigate this intricate landscape, one must acquaint themselves with the CA exemption rules established by ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India). This article aims to serve as your comprehensive guide, addressing all your queries on this subject.

Previous slide
Next slide



CA Exemption Rules for CA Intermediate and CA Final

Specific rules govern CA Exemptions for CA Intermediate and CA Final:

To qualify for an exemption, a candidate must secure a minimum of 60% in one or more papers.
Candidates must attempt all papers for CA Intermediate or CA Final, as applicable.
Keep in mind that an exemption is valid for a total of three exams.
To pass, a candidate must achieve a minimum of 40% in each subject and maintain an aggregate of 50%. This includes the subject for which they received an exemption in a previous attempt.
It’s crucial to note that one cannot claim another exemption in the same group or unit until the previous exemption has been exhausted.
Exemption Criteria

Whether you’re pursuing the CA Intermediate or CA Final course, the criteria for exemption remain consistent. Your eligibility hinges on these criteria, which are defined in accordance with Regulation 38 A of the Chartered Accountants Regulation, 1988, as published in Notification No. 1-CA(7)/51/2000 dated 14th August 2001.

A candidate should attempt all papers.
Candidates must achieve at least 60% in one or more papers within the same group.
Subsequently, a candidate may attempt the papers or specific paper in that group where they scored below 60%.
To be declared a pass, candidates must score a minimum of 40% in each subject, maintain a 50% aggregate, and have obtained 60 marks in their previous exams. Moreover, it’s imperative to specify the exemption subjects.
Exemptions are valid for the subsequent three attempts.
Implications of CA Exemption Criteria

Previous slide
Next slide



To meet these criteria, you should adhere to the following conditions:

Ensure that you appear for all papers.
Score a minimum of 60% in at least one paper within the same group where you encountered difficulties.
Keep in mind that an exemption is automatically carried forward for the next three attempts.
It is only valid for the next three consecutive papers.
If you score at least 40% in each paper of the group, you will be considered to have passed that group.
Procedure for Availing CA Exemption

While there is no formal procedure for availing exemptions, there are some key points you should be aware of:

Previous slide
Next slide



ICAI automatically grants exemptions to students appearing in CA Inter or CA Final Exams. These exemptions will be indicated on the mark sheets awarded to students.
A student cannot be eligible for another exemption until the previous one has been utilized.
For students who have been exempted, a “#” will be used against the subjects where they achieved a minimum of 60%.
An “E” will be marked against the papers already exempted, carried forward from the previous examination, provided the exemption is still valid.
Maximum Number of Exemptions

According to CA Exemption rules, there is no specific maximum limit to the number of exemptions a student can avail of. However, it’s essential to note that a student is not eligible for a new exemption until the previous one has been utilized.

Previous slide
Next slide
Previous slide
Next slide



Closing Thoughts

To excel in your CA examinations, it’s vital to comprehend the prerequisites laid out by ICAI in their CA Exemption Rules. Being well-informed can save you time and prevent unnecessary mistakes. Remember, you have ample opportunities to clear your exams, so make sure to put in the effort and succeed.

Scroll to Top
Please fill the details below to recieve the files of Chapter-3 in your email.