The CA Intermediate result is the point where the course stops being only about exams. The next two years — your articleship — decide what kind of work you will be able to do on the day you qualify. Thousands of students start searching for a firm in the same fortnight, so the ones who move in an organised way usually get the better offers.
This guide sets out what to do, in order: checking eligibility, finishing ICITSS, finding and choosing a firm, and completing the Form 102 and Form 103 registration on the ICAI Self Service Portal within the time allowed.
The first week after the result
- Download your result and marks statement from the ICAI results portal and keep a PDF copy — firms will ask for it.
- Check whether you have cleared both groups. That decides whether you can register now (see eligibility below).
- Log in to the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP) and check that your student registration, photograph and signature are current. Errors here delay the articleship registration later.
- Check your ICITSS status — the Orientation Course and the IT course. If either is pending, book the next available batch immediately.
- Update a one-page CV: marks, attempts, any Excel or Tally skill, and which areas you want exposure to. Short and honest beats long and padded.
Are you eligible to start articleship?
Under ICAI's New Scheme of Education and Training, a student can register for practical training after passing both groups of CA Intermediate and completing ICITSS (the Orientation Course and the Information Technology course). Direct Entry students follow their own route into the same training. Practical training under the new scheme runs for two years, with an option of industrial training for 9 to 12 months in the final phase.
Registration steps on the ICAI SSP portal
Finish ICITSS
Complete both the Orientation Course and the IT course. The articleship registration will not go through until both show as completed on your SSP profile.
Get an offer from a principal
Apply to firms, attend interviews and accept an offer. The principal must be a practising Chartered Accountant with a vacant articled-assistant slot — the firm can confirm this.
Fill Form 102 and Form 103 on SSP
Form 102 is the articleship deed between you and the principal; Form 103 is the registration of that deed with ICAI. Both are generated and submitted online through SSP.
- Enter the principal's membership number and the commencement date
- The principal approves the request from their own SSP login
- Print, sign (you, the principal and witnesses as required), scan and upload
- Pay the articleship registration fee online
Submit within 30 days of commencement
Registration should be completed within 30 days of the date your articleship starts. A late submission needs a reason and condonation, and can push your effective start date — which in turn affects when you become eligible for CA Final.
How to choose a firm for articleship
There is no single right firm. A large firm suits students who want early specialisation and a national brand on the CV; a mid-size practice suits students who want breadth and direct client contact. Whichever you choose, judge it on the same factors:
| Factor | What to check |
|---|---|
| Range of work | Will you rotate across income tax, GST, audit and company law, or sit at one desk for two years? |
| Who trains you | How often will you work directly with the principal, and who reviews your work? |
| Stipend | Is it at least the ICAI minimum for the city, paid on a fixed date every month? |
| Exam leave | Does the firm honour study leave ahead of exams, in writing or by track record? |
| Client exposure | Will you attend client meetings and handle assignments end to end? |
| Commute | Two years of a long daily commute eats study time — weigh location honestly. |
| Former articles | Ask to speak to a current or former article. Their answer is the most reliable data you will get. |
Questions to ask in the articleship interview
- How many articles are in training right now, and how is work divided between them?
- What did a first-year article work on last month?
- How does rotation between departments work, and who decides it?
- What is the stipend in year one and year two, and when is it paid?
- How is study leave handled before exams?
- What are the office hours, and how often do articles stay late in peak season?
Mistakes that cost students months
- Leaving ICITSS until after you find a firm — batches fill quickly in result season.
- Accepting the first offer without asking about rotation, stipend or leave.
- Starting work before the deed is registered and then missing the 30-day window.
- Choosing only on brand or only on stipend, without asking what the work will actually be.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start articleship after the CA Intermediate result?
Once you have passed both groups of CA Intermediate and completed ICITSS (Orientation Course and IT course), you can join a firm and register your articleship through the ICAI Self Service Portal.
Is IPCC the same as CA Intermediate?
Yes. IPCC (Integrated Professional Competence Course) was the earlier name of the middle level of the CA course. It is now called CA Intermediate, and many students still search for 'IPCC articleship'.
What are Form 102 and Form 103?
Form 102 is the articleship deed between the student and the principal. Form 103 is the form that registers that deed with ICAI. Both are completed online on the SSP portal and should be submitted within 30 days of commencement.
How long is CA articleship under the new scheme?
Two years of practical training, with an option of 9 to 12 months of industrial training in the final phase.
How do I find a CA firm for articleship in Ahmedabad?
Shortlist firms by the range of work and the location you can commute to, apply with a one-page CV and your marks statement, and use the interview to ask about rotation, stipend and exam leave before you accept.
Articleship applications open at Pujara & Co, Ahmedabad
Two-year rotational articleship across income tax, GST, audit and company law under CA Mitul Pujara, FCA. Stipend ₹10,000 in year 1 and ₹12,000 in year 2.
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