CA Articleship Stipend: ICAI Minimum Rates (2026 Update)
ConferenzaUnder the ICAI's minimum-stipend rules (Regulation 48 of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988), a firm must pay an articled assistant a floor that depends on the population of the city or town where training is served and the year of training — currently ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 a month. ICAI has now proposed a sharp revision in a June 2026 draft amendment that would lift this floor to ₹3,000–₹6,000 for the two-year training under the New Scheme. Below are both sets of figures, the payment rules, and what firms actually pay in practice.
Quick answer: The ICAI minimum stipend is a legal floor, not the market rate. It is set by city population and training year. Well-known firms — the Big 4 and busy mid-tier practices — routinely pay several times this floor, especially in metros. Always confirm the exact figure in your written stipend letter.
ICAI minimum stipend: the rates in force now
These are the minimum monthly amounts a principal is required to pay under Regulation 48. They are the rates currently applicable while ICAI's 2026 revision is still under consultation. The three brackets are based on the population of the city or town of training.
| City / town population | 1st year | 2nd year | 3rd year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lakh and above (metros) | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹3,000 |
| 4 lakh to less than 20 lakh | ₹1,500 | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 |
| Below 4 lakh | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹2,000 |
*A third-year figure applies only to students still completing the older three-year training. Under the New Scheme of Education and Training (effective 1 July 2023), practical training is two years, so most current articles will only see the first- and second-year floors.
The proposed 2026 hike — bigger, but not yet law
On 25 June 2026, ICAI published a draft — the Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (Ref. F. No. 1-CA(7)/243/2026) — in the Gazette of India, proposing a substantial increase aligned to the two-year training period. The Institute has said it has in-principle approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
| City / town population | 1st year (proposed) | 2nd year (proposed) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 lakh and above (metros) | ₹5,000 | ₹6,000 |
| 5 lakh to less than 20 lakh | ₹4,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Below 5 lakh | ₹3,000 | ₹4,000 |
Important: These revised figures are proposed, not yet in force. ICAI invited public comments up to 5 August 2026. Until the amendment is finally notified, the current Regulation 48 rates in the first table continue to apply. We mirror the official ICAI announcement here — Proposed stipend rates for articled assistants.
Current vs proposed — metro (20 lakh+) floor
For a metro article, the proposed change would roughly double to treble the guaranteed minimum — a meaningful shift for students funding their own exam fees, coaching and rent during training.
How the stipend must be paid
Regulation 48 does not only fix the amount — it fixes the manner of payment. Your principal must pay the stipend every month (not as a lump sum at the end), by one of two routes:
- a crossed account-payee cheque against a stamped receipt from you, or
- a direct monthly deposit into your own bank account.
The minimum stipend cannot be reduced for office costs, "training charges", lost files or penalties. A firm that pays below the applicable floor, or that pays irregularly, is in breach of ICAI regulations — you can raise it in writing with your principal and, if unresolved, with your regional ICAI office.
What firms actually pay (the market, not the floor)
The ICAI figures are a legal minimum. The real stipend most students receive is set by the firm and the city, and is usually well above the floor:
- Big 4 and large firms (metros): commonly ₹15,000–₹30,000+ a month, rising with your year and performance.
- Mid-tier and established regional firms: often ₹8,000–₹18,000, depending on city and practice area.
- Smaller / Tier-3 practices: closer to the ICAI floor, sometimes with performance top-ups.
These ranges are firm-set market observations, not ICAI-mandated numbers. Specialised teams (audit, transfer pricing, GST/indirect tax, M&A) tend to pay at the upper end. Treat the ICAI figure as your negotiating floor, and the market range as your target.
Is the articleship stipend taxable?
A stipend paid for work done during articleship is treated as income and is, in principle, taxable under the Income-tax Act, 1961. In practice, most articles earn below the basic exemption limit, so little or no tax is actually payable, and TDS is often not deducted. If your total income is within the exemption limit, you can furnish the appropriate declaration to avoid deduction. Confirm your specific position with your firm's accounts team, as exemption limits change from year to year.
Practice Questions
Q1. Under Regulation 48, the ICAI minimum monthly stipend is determined by which two factors?
- The firm's turnover and the article's college marks
- The population of the city/town of training and the year of training
- The state government's minimum-wage notification
- The number of clients handled by the article
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The floor is set by the population bracket of the place of training (20 lakh+, 5–20 lakh, below the threshold) and by whether you are in your first, second or (for old-scheme students) third year. It is not linked to turnover, marks or client count.
Q2. A firm offers to pay your entire year's stipend as one lump sum after 12 months. Is this permitted?
- Yes, if the total equals 12 months of stipend
- Yes, if you agree in writing
- No — the stipend must be paid monthly, by cheque against receipt or by bank deposit
- Only in Tier-3 cities
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Regulation 48 requires monthly payment either through a crossed account-payee cheque against a stamped receipt or a monthly deposit to your bank account. A deferred lump sum does not meet the rule.
Q3. The higher stipend figures (e.g., ₹5,000 in year 1 for a metro) published by ICAI in June 2026 are:
- Already in force for every article
- A proposed draft amendment open to public comment, not yet notified
- Applicable only to Big 4 firms
- A one-time bonus
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The revised slabs were issued as a draft (Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Regulations, 2026) for public consultation. Until finally notified, the existing Regulation 48 minimums apply.
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FAQs
What is the minimum stipend for CA articleship as per ICAI?
Currently ₹1,000–₹3,000 a month depending on your city's population and your training year (see the first table). A 2026 draft proposes raising this to ₹3,000–₹6,000, but that is not yet in force.
Can a firm pay less than the ICAI minimum?
No. The Regulation 48 amount is a floor. Paying below it, or deducting from it for office costs or penalties, breaches ICAI rules and can be escalated to your regional ICAI office.
Is the CA articleship stipend the same everywhere?
The minimum is standardised by population bracket, but the actual stipend varies widely by firm — the Big 4 and large firms pay several times the floor, while small practices may stay near it.
How long will I receive the stipend?
For the full duration of practical training — two years under the New Scheme (three years for older-scheme students).
Understanding your stipend is only one piece of the journey. See whether articleship is compulsory and how it fits the CA course, and when you are ready to prepare, compare the best CA faculty by subject or explore CA Final classes and books on Conferenza.
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