ICAI CA Exam 2025: New Eligibility Criteria and Application Guidelines

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced critical updates regarding the ICAI CA Exam 2025. These changes include revised eligibility criteria, application instructions, and mandatory training requirements. It’s essential for all candidates to meet these requirements to ensure a smooth application process and successful exam participation.
Eligibility Requirements for ICAI CA Exam May 2025
To appear for the May 2025 CA exams, candidates must confirm that they meet the updated eligibility requirements based on their course level and training completion. Below are the key eligibility details that every candidate must adhere to:

1. Registration for Final New Course
Candidates must be registered under the Final New Course and should ensure their registration is active. Any students who have lapsed course registrations need to update them via the Self-Service Portal (SSP).
- Candidates who are converting from the old course to the new course should ensure their course code is updated to NEWFIN23 or CONFIN23.
- If there’s a discrepancy in course codes, candidates must apply for conversion via the SSP portal under Student Functions > Student Module > Course Registration > Apply for Conversion.
2. Articleship Completion
Candidates appearing for the May 2025 exams must have completed the required Articleship training by the deadline.
- For Final Course candidates: The prescribed training period of 3 years (or 3½ years depending on the stream) must be completed by April 30, 2025, to be eligible for the exam.
- For candidates who are still in service as of May 1, 2025, they must be in the last phase of their articleship, with one year remaining (for certain categories) or six months (for others), and they must complete the training before October 31, 2025 or April 30, 2026, depending on the course stream.
Candidates who have terminated their articleship must re-register for the balance period of training to ensure they are eligible to appear for the May 2025 exams.
3. Completion of AICITSS (Advanced Integrated Course on IT and Soft Skills)
As per the New Scheme of Education, candidates must have completed the AICITSS before applying for the May 2025 Final exams.

- Candidates must have completed both the Advanced IT course and GMCS II (General Management and Communication Skills) components.
- The Advanced ICITSS (IT Test) should be completed before April 10, 2025, to be eligible for the May 2025 exams.
- Students who were previously registered under the old course and have completed GMCS II or Advanced ITT need to complete the remaining module, either Advanced ICITSS (IT) or Advanced ICITSS (GMCS-II).
4. Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM)
Students who have completed the required learning hours for specific Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM) need to appear for the necessary module tests to be eligible for the exams.
- Set A and Set B: Candidates who cleared the CA Final exams up until November 2023 but didn’t pass all groups are required to complete Set A and Set B before applying for membership.
- Set C and Set D: Candidates who were admitted to the Final Exam in November 2024 and beyond must qualify all sets (A, B, C, and D) before appearing in the May 2025 exams.
Intermediate candidates who have completed 2.5 years of articleship and cleared the AICITSS exam by April 30, 2025 will also need to clear the SPOM modules for eligibility to sit for the May 2025 exams.
Steps to Apply for ICAI May 2025 CA Exam
- Log in to SSP Portal: Ensure you have valid SSP login credentials to proceed with the application.
- Update Photograph and Signature: If your photograph and signature are outdated or not in compliance with ICAI’s standards, upload the required documents.
- Articleship Status: Verify and update your Articleship status to “Registered” if needed.
- Complete AICITSS and Other Modules: Make sure you’ve completed all mandatory courses, including Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM), before applying for the exam.
ICAI CA Exam 2025 Admit Card and Exam Information
- The admit card will be available online before the exam date. Candidates must ensure all details are correct on the admit card.
- Students should visit the ICAI website regularly for updates on exam dates, instructions, and other vital information.
Also Read: CA Exam May 2025 Dates Announced: Complete Schedule for Foundation, Intermediate, and Final Exams

Conclusion
Candidates must ensure all eligibility requirements are met before filling out the exam application for the ICAI CA Exam 2025. This includes valid course registration, completed articleship, AICITSS, and the necessary self-paced modules. Timely updates to the SSP portal and the submission of the correct documents are crucial for a successful application process. Be sure to check the ICAI website frequently for additional updates and detailed instructions.