The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is preparing a significant overhaul of its Chartered Accountancy education system to keep pace with technological advances transforming the profession. The institute is reviewing the existing curriculum so that future CAs gain stronger grounding in artificial intelligence, data analytics, environmental, social and governance issues, sustainability and forensic auditing.

At the same time, ICAI is designing an international version of the CA programme. This will enable students outside India to earn the ICAI qualification, with taxation and law papers adjusted to suit local laws while the remaining subjects follow a common global curriculum.

ICAI President Prasanna D Kumar confirmed that the institute has already rolled out several technology-oriented training initiatives and is now looking at embedding these areas into the formal education structure. A dedicated Committee for Review of Education and Training has been formed to examine the current system. The committee’s remit includes the syllabus, practical training requirements, soft skills and communication modules, and the overall examination pattern.

The committee is scheduled to finish its work by December. Once ready, the recommendations will be released for public comments and discussion. The exercise comes after the New Scheme of Education and Training was introduced in 2023. Although subjects such as AI, data analytics, ESG and forensic auditing are not yet full-fledged components of the regular CA course, ICAI has been offering specialised programmes in these fields for some time.

Among the existing initiatives is the Artificial Intelligence Understanding for Rising Achievers programme, known as AURA, which is open to CA students. An upgraded version, AURA 2.0, is under preparation for those who complete the first level. It will emphasise practical uses of AI in finance, audit and taxation, covering automation, technology tools and data handling.

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For qualified members, ICAI runs the AI Certificate Course for Chartered Accountants. More than 45,000 members have completed the first level across over 850 batches, while Level 2 has trained more than 1,500 professionals in over 80 batches. The institute is also advancing its Digital Information Systems Assurance course from DISA 3.0 to DISA 4.0, with the updated version expected to launch in October.

On the international front, ICAI aims to widen the global acceptance of its qualification. The planned overseas programme will retain most of the Indian CA curriculum. Only the taxation and law papers will be customised according to the rules of the country where the course is offered. Students who successfully complete the international pathway will still receive the ICAI Chartered Accountancy certificate.

Discussions are already under way with the Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants to localise the curriculum for Mauritius. ICAI is also exploring similar arrangements with Nepal and several African nations. An existing agreement with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants provides another platform for collaboration.

These steps reflect ICAI’s dual strategy of modernising domestic education while expanding the qualification’s international footprint. By introducing technology-related competencies into the core CA pathway and creating flexible options for students abroad, the institute seeks to prepare professionals for a workplace increasingly driven by data, automation and cross-border standards.

The final shape of the revised curriculum will become clearer once the Committee for Review of Education and Training submits its report later this year. Stakeholders, including students, members, training centres and employers, will then have the opportunity to examine the proposals and contribute feedback before any permanent changes are implemented.