Updated with the September 2025 ICAI results. Pass rates change every attempt — always check the latest ICAI announcement.
- Pass rule: 40% in each paper + 50% aggregate per group — both required.
- Sep 2025: Foundation ~14.78%, Inter ~10% (both groups), Final ~16% (both groups).
- Inter & Final each have two groups; you can attempt one or both.
- No negative marking, but papers are application-heavy.
- Rates vary every attempt — the criteria stay constant.
CA passing criteria (the rule that matters)
Whatever the pass percentage in a given attempt, the rule to clear a group never changes:
Pass a group = at least 40% in EVERY paper AND 50% aggregate across that group's papers.
Both conditions must be satisfied together. Scoring 65% in one paper can't rescue a paper where you got 38% — that single sub-40 paper fails the group even if your aggregate is above 50%. This "every paper 40, overall 50" design is a big reason the CA course is so demanding.
Latest CA pass percentages
| Level | Sep 2025 | May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 14.78% | 14.05% |
| Intermediate — Group I | 9.43% | — |
| Intermediate — Group II | 27.14% | — |
| Intermediate — Both groups | 10.06% | 13.22% |
| Final — Group I | 24.66% | — |
| Final — Group II | 25.26% | — |
| Final — Both groups | 16.23% | 18.75% |
The single-group rates are usually higher than the "both groups together" rate, because clearing both groups in one attempt is much harder. That's why many students choose to attempt one group at a time.
The three levels of CA
- CA Foundation — the entry level after Class 12; four papers.
- CA Intermediate — two groups; the bridge to articleship (practical training).
- CA Final — two groups; the last exam before you qualify as a Chartered Accountant.
Between Intermediate and Final, candidates complete a mandatory period of articleship — hands-on training in a CA firm — which is where much of the real learning happens.
Why the pass percentage is so low
CA is widely regarded as one of India's toughest professional courses, and the low pass rates reflect that. A few reasons stand out: the 40%-per-paper plus 50%-aggregate rule leaves no room for a weak subject; the papers test application and judgement, not memorisation; the syllabus spans accounting, law, taxation, costing and audit at depth; and evaluation is strict. The flip side is that the qualification is highly respected precisely because it's hard to earn.
How to improve your odds
- Target at least 40%+ in every paper from the start — never "write off" a subject.
- Practise past papers and RTPs/MTPs under timed conditions.
- Consider attempting one group at a time if you're not fully prepared for both.
- Focus on presentation and working notes — examiners reward clear, structured answers.
How often exams are held (and what an "attempt" means)
ICAI conducts CA exams in multiple sessions a year, so a candidate who doesn't clear a group can reappear in the next session. Each sitting counts as an attempt, and there's a "both groups together" option at Intermediate and Final where clearing both in one go earns an exemption benefit in certain cases. If you clear one paper with 60%+ but fail the group, you may carry a paper exemption forward for a limited number of attempts — a useful rule that rewards a strong individual paper. Always read the current ICAI guidelines on exemptions, since they shape how you plan attempts.
Where a low pass rate should — and shouldn't — worry you
A 10–16% pass rate sounds intimidating, but remember what it measures: it's the share of everyone who appeared, including under-prepared and repeat candidates who register optimistically. A student who completes the full syllabus, practises past papers and writes disciplined answers is competing in a very different, much smaller pool. In other words, the headline percentage reflects the average of all attempts, not your personal odds if you prepare seriously. Use the number as a reality check on effort required — not as a prediction of your result.
CA compared with other commerce paths
Students often weigh CA against CMA (cost and management accounting) and CS (company secretary). All three are rigorous professional courses with the same broad 40%-per-paper and 50%-aggregate logic. CA is the most widely recognised for audit, taxation and assurance; CMA leans towards costing and management accounting; CS towards corporate law and governance. Many students even pursue two of them. If you're deciding, look at the work you want to do rather than only the pass percentages — the day-to-day roles differ more than the difficulty does.
Related tools & guides
See our passing marks calculator, the percentage calculator, and the CMA pass percentage guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CA passing criteria?
40% in each paper and 50% aggregate in the group — both required.
What is the CA pass percentage?
It varies; Sep 2025 was ~14.78% (Foundation), ~10% (Inter both groups), ~16% (Final both groups).
Why is it so low?
It's one of India's toughest exams — the every-paper-40 rule, application-heavy papers and strict marking.
How many groups in Inter and Final?
Two each; you can attempt one group or both together.
About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. Free tools and guides for students.
Disclaimer: Educational information. Pass percentages are from ICAI results and change every attempt; passing criteria and syllabus are set by ICAI — confirm current details on icai.org.