CMA Inter Law: Complete Syllabus and Chapter-Wise Weightage

If you are preparing for the CMA Intermediate exam, you must know the CMA Inter Law Syllabus very well. This helps you study smart and score higher in Paper 5: Business Laws and Ethics (BLE). In this guide, I explain the syllabus clearly. I also list chapter-wise weightage, topics, and tips for preparation. This is one of the most important papers in CMA Inter Group-I and understanding its structure gives you a big edge in exam prep.

What is CMA Inter Law?

CMA Inter Law refers to the Business Laws and Ethics paper in the CMA Intermediate course. It is Paper 5 in Group-I of the CMA Intermediate syllabus. You will study laws that affect businesses and the ethical duties of a cost accountant. This subject tests your knowledge, understanding, and application of legal rules in the business world.

This paper is important because:

• It teaches you core legal principles used in commerce.
  
• It is often scoring when you revise well.
  
• Ethics questions help you think like a professional cost accountant.

Also Check: CMA Exam Dates

Exam Pattern of CMA Inter Law

Before knowing the syllabus, understand the exam pattern:

• Marks: 100
  
• Duration: 3 hours
  
• Sections: Descriptive (theory + short answers)
  
• Passing: At least 40% marks in the paper.

The CMA Inter Law Syllabus is divided into four main parts:

1. Commercial Laws
   
2. Industrial Laws
   
3. Corporate Laws
   
4. Business Ethics

Now let’s go chapter by chapter.

CMA Inter Law Syllabus: Detailed Topics and Weightage

Below is the complete CMA Inter Law syllabus with chapter-wise weightage as per the official ICMAI PDF syllabus.

Section A: Commercial Laws — 30%

Commercial laws make up 30 marks of the total paper. You must focus on this section first.

1. Introduction to Law and Legal System in India — 5%
   
   • What law is
     
   • Legal system basics
     
   • Constitution and fundamental rights
     
   • Sources of law
     
   • Legal terminology and dispute resolution.
     
2. Indian Contract Act, 1872 — 10%
   
   • Offer, acceptance, consideration
     
   • Contract formation and enforceability
     
   • Void and voidable agreements
     
   • Quasi-contracts and special contracts like indemnity & guarantee.
     
3. Sale of Goods Act, 1930 — 5%
   
   • Conditions and warranties
     
   • Transfer of ownership
     
   • Rights of unpaid seller.
     
4. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 — 5%
   
   • Meaning and features of negotiable instruments
     
   • Endorsement and dishonour
     
   • Section 138 offences.
     
5. Indian Partnership Act, 1932 — 5%
   
   • Partnership basics
     
   • Rights and duties of partners
     
   • Dissolution rules.
     
6. Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 — (included in syllabus but no fixed weight in this part — read to understand LLP basics)

Section B: Industrial Laws — 15%

Industrial laws are about workers and factories.

7. Factories Act, 1948 — 10%
   
   • Safety and health of workers
     
   • Working hours
     
   • Compliance duties of employers.

8–11. Other Industrial Laws — Remaining part of 15%

• Payment of Gratuity Act
  
• Employees Provident Fund & Misc. Provisions Act
  
• Employees State Insurance Act
  
• The Code on Wages, 2019 (minimum wages, working hours etc.)

Tip: Read each act to understand its purpose and key provisions.

Section C: Corporate Laws — 40%

This section carries the highest weight (40 marks) in the CMA Inter Law syllabus. You must give it more time.

12. Companies Act, 2013 — 40%

• Company formation and types
  
• Directors: appointment, qualification, powers
  
• Shareholders rights
  
• Meetings, audits, financial reporting, and compliance requirements.

This is the heart of CMA Inter Law. You must memorise the key sections and how they apply to real companies.

Section D: Business Ethics — 15%

This part focuses on ethical behaviour in business:

13. Business Ethics & Emotional Intelligence — 15%

• Meaning of ethics
  
• Principles of professional behaviour
  
• Ethical dilemmas in business
  
• Emotional intelligence basics.

Though short, ethics questions often appear in exams. Read them carefully and practise answers.

Quick Summary: CMA Inter Law Weightage

How to Prepare CMA Inter Law Smartly

Here are simple and practical tips:

• Understand the Structure – Know which section has more marks. For example, Companies Act (40%) matters most.
• Focus on Legal Terms – Understand terms like offer, acceptance, consideration, breach of contract, negotiable instruments, and duties of directors.
• Use the Official Syllabus PDF – Always match your study plan with the ICMAI official syllabus PDF. You can download it from the link you already have.
• Practice Past Papers – Doing previous year papers or model question papers helps you see how questions are asked.
• Revise Ethics Often – Ethics questions are easier to score but students neglect them. Don’t miss this section.

Also Read: CMA Inter Question Papers

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Q: How many marks does Companies Act carry in CMA Inter Law?
→ It carries 40% weight, the highest in this paper.

Q: Is this syllabus updated?
→ Yes. The syllabus is from the 2022 CMA Intermediate curriculum and applies to exams like December 2025.

Q: Should I start with law or ethics?
→ Start with Commercial & Corporate Laws first. They have more marks. Then do Industrial Laws and Ethics.

The CMA Inter Law Syllabus is important for your exam success. Cover each part carefully, know the chapter-wise weightage, and practise answers in your own words. Study smart, not hard. Keep revising the key Acts and ethical principles. When you understand each law and its real use, you will feel confident in the exam.