CA Syllabus 2026 PDF: ICAP Syllabus for PRC, CAF, CFAP and SCS
ICAP publishes the CA syllabus as a separate PDF for each stage under Education Scheme 2025. The current files are CAF Syllabus for Spring 2027 (exams 1–10 Feb 2027), CFAP Syllabus for Winter 2026 (exams 1–9 Dec 2026), SCS Syllabus for Winter 2026, plus PRC and GCC syllabi. Download each from ICAP below.
If you've searched for the "CA complete syllabus," here is the catch: there is no single file. ICAP splits the qualification into stages, and each stage has its own syllabus, updated per exam session. Grab the one for your stage, then use the paper guide below to decide where your study hours go first.
Download the ICAP CA syllabus PDFs
|
Stage |
Syllabus |
Download |
|---|---|---|
|
PRC (entry level) |
PRC Syllabus |
|
|
CAF (8 papers) |
CAF Syllabi, Spring 2027 |
|
|
GCC (graduate conversion) |
GCC Syllabus |
|
|
CFAP (6 papers) |
CFAP Syllabus, Winter 2026 |
|
|
SCS |
SCS Syllabus, Winter 2026 |
|
|
CFAP |
Examinable Editions, Winter 2026 |
For study texts, model papers, past papers and marking plans, use ICAP's Study Resources page. Some of that material needs a student portal login.
Which syllabus is mine? Sitting CAF in February 2027? Use the Spring 2027 file. Sitting CFAP or SCS in December 2026? Use the Winter 2026 files. Check the exact dates on our CA date sheet 2026 page.
How to read an ICAP syllabus
Every paper opens with a grid. It lists the teaching hours and the weightage of each section, and the weightage is your triage tool. Each learning outcome carries a proficiency level (P1 to P3) and a testing level (T1 to T3). Proficiency tells you how deep the skill goes. P1 is explaining, P2 is applying independently, and P3 is integrating across areas and advising.
Testing levels cap the marks per topic. T1 topics are limited to 8 marks each, with a 35-mark aggregate ceiling across T1 topics in an attempt. T2 topics can carry up to 20 marks and T3 up to 25. So a T3 topic, such as consolidations in CFAP-1, can decide a paper. T1 topics rarely will.
Last, read the "Specific Examinable Knowledge Reference" at the end of each paper. It names the exact sections of laws and the exact standards you must cover. Anything outside it is out of scope.
CAF syllabus: eight papers (Spring 2027)
CAF is the Certificate in Accounting and Finance, the stage that comes after PRC. Section weightages are ranges, in percent.
|
Paper |
What it covers (weightage) |
|---|---|
|
CAF-1 Financial Accounting and Reporting |
Statements of financial position and profit or loss (30–40); changes in equity and cash flows (30–40); non-current assets (25–35) |
|
CAF-2 Taxation Principles and Compliance |
Constitutional provisions and ethics (5–10); income tax chargeability (50–60); income tax administration (10–15); sales tax (20–30) |
|
CAF-3 Data, Systems and Risks |
Data (35–45); systems (30–40); risks (20–30) |
|
CAF-4 Business Law Dynamics |
Contract Act (25–32); other business laws (15–20); Companies Act in three blocks (12–17, 10–15 and 20–25); legal system (3–6) |
|
CAF-5 Management Accounting |
Production costs (35–45); cost flow (20–30); planning and decisions (30–40) |
|
CAF-6 Corporate Reporting |
Financial statements and analysis (20–30); essential transactions, ethics and sustainability (35–45); other areas of IFRS (30–40) |
|
CAF-7 Business Insights and Analysis |
Managerial analysis (30–40); risk management (20–30); financial analysis (25–30); sustainability (10–15) |
|
CAF-8 Audit and Assurance Essentials |
Audit framework and ethics (15–25); planning and risk (15–20); evidence and internal controls (30–40); finalization and reporting (25–30) |
Two things stand out. CAF-2 puts most of its weight on income tax chargeability, so that section deserves the biggest slice of your time. CAF-3 is built around technology: databases, ERP and cloud, cyber security and COBIT-style frameworks, with local rules like the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 in scope.
CFAP syllabus: six papers (Winter 2026)
CFAP is the Certified Finance and Accounting Professional stage, the advanced level. Ethics, technology and sustainability are expected across all six papers.
|
Paper |
What it covers (weightage) |
|---|---|
|
CFAP-1 Advanced Corporate Reporting |
Group reporting (30–40); essential transactions and ethics (30–40); specialized areas (25–35) |
|
CFAP-2 Corporate Laws and Governance |
Secretarial practices (35–45); mediation, arbitration, restructuring and governance (10–15); specialized corporate laws (10–15); other relevant laws (30–40) |
|
CFAP-3 Sustainability Reporting and Assurance |
Disclosure concepts (30–40); sustainability reporting (30–40); assurance (25–35) |
|
CFAP-4 Strategic Business Finance |
Business appraisals and securities (40–60); capital and its sources (25–30); financial risk management (20–25) |
|
CFAP-5 Tax Practices and Planning |
Income tax (55–70); sales tax and federal excise duty (25–35); ethics (5–10) |
|
CFAP-6 Audit, Assurance and Data |
Planning, risks and performance (40–50); conclusions and reporting (15–25); specialized areas (15–20); ethical and professional requirements (15–20) |
CFAP-3 is the newest-looking paper. It is built on IFRS S1 and S2, ISSA 5000 and SASB standards, so expect fewer past papers to lean on. CFAP-4 has the widest weightage swing, so read its grid carefully before you plan.
Where the other stages fit
PRC covers three papers: Fundamentals of Accounting, Quantitative Analysis for Business, and Business and Economic Insights. GCC is the conversion route for graduates, and it maps onto selected CAF papers plus a business concepts paper. SCS is the case-study paper that sits alongside CFAP.
Using the syllabus well
Print the grid page for each paper and rank sections by weightage. Then match each T3 topic to a past paper from ICAP's study resources page. That gives you a study order based on where the marks actually are.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download the ICAP CA syllabus 2026 PDF?
Download it from ICAP's study resources page, or use the direct links in the table above. Each stage has its own file.
Is there one complete CA syllabus file?
No. ICAP publishes separate syllabi for PRC, CAF, GCC, CFAP and SCS.
Which CAF syllabus is current?
The CAF Syllabus for Spring 2027 is current. It applies to the exams scheduled for 1–10 February 2027.
Which CFAP syllabus is current?
The CFAP Syllabus for Winter 2026 applies to the December 2026 exams, which run 1–9 December.
How many papers are in CAF and CFAP?
CAF has eight papers and CFAP has six.
