ICAI News – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has published a major update on ICAI Industrial Training Eligibility Criteria and Revised Eligibility Criteria for Empanelment of Organizations to Impart Industrial Training, effective from 1st January, 2026. This announcement was issued by the Members & Students Services Directorate on 12th January 2026 and applies to all organizations wishing to train CA students under Regulation 51 (2)(b).
What’s Changed – Empanelment Requirements
Under the revised ICAI Industrial Training Eligibility Criteria, any financial, commercial or industrial organization can be empaneled for industrial training, provided it meets ONE of the following financial benchmarks:
- Minimum fixed assets of ₹10 crore, OR
- Minimum total turnover of ₹50 crore, OR
- Paid-up share capital of ₹1 crore & net worth of ₹5 crore (together).
In addition to the financial criteria, each organization must have at least two full-time Chartered Accountants, each of whom has been an ICAI member for a continuous period of at least 3 years.
ICAI Industrial Training Eligibility Criteria for Students
According to the revised norms under Regulation 51:
- A CA student (articled assistant) must have passed both groups of the Intermediate (Professional Competence) Examination or the Intermediate Examination and completed a minimum of twelve months of practical training to be eligible for industrial training.
Training Duration and Norms
- Industrial training must be conducted under a Member of ICAI.
- Students must inform their Principal at least three months before the training starts.
- The training period must range from 9 to 12 months.
Trainer Entitlement
- An Associate Member with at least three years of continuous ICAI membership can train one industrial trainee at a time.
- A Fellow Member can train two industrial trainees concurrently.
Empanelment Validity and Renewal
- Empanelment under the revised ICAI Industrial Training Eligibility Criteria is valid for five years.
- After five years, organizations must renew their empanelment by meeting the current financial and staffing criteria.
Completion Certification and Regulations
- A Training Agreement (Form 104) must be entered into for all industrial training.
- Upon successful completion, the trainer must issue a Completion Certificate (Form 105) to the trainee and forward a copy to the ICAI Secretary.
- This industrial training period will be treated as service under articles for all regulatory purposes, as long as the completion certificate is submitted.
Important Note
The revised ICAI Industrial Training Eligibility Criteria apply to all trainees and organizations beginning training on or after 1st January 2026. Students already undergoing industrial training before this date will continue to complete their training as per the previously agreed terms.
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