The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially released the Draft Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, following in-principle approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). The draft proposes a substantial increase in the minimum monthly stipend for the two-year practical training period under the New Scheme of Education and Training. The revised rates are now open for public comments and suggestions until August 5, 2026, after which the regulations will be finalized and published in the official gazette.
Proposed vs. Current Minimum Stipend Structure
The minimum stipend amount is determined solely by the population size of the city or town in which the articled firm is situated.
1. Cities with a Population of 20 Lakh & Above
(e.g., Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune)
| Year of Training | Current Minimum Stipend | Proposed New Minimum Stipend |
| 1st Year | ₹2,000 / month | ₹5,000 / month |
| 2nd Year | ₹2,500 / month | ₹6,000 / month |
2. Cities with a Population of 5 Lakh to 20 Lakh
| Year of Training | Current Minimum Stipend | Proposed New Minimum Stipend |
| 1st Year | ₹1,500 / month | ₹4,000 / month |
| 2nd Year | ₹1,750 / month | ₹5,000 / month |
3. Cities/Towns with a Population of Less than 5 Lakh
| Year of Training | Current Minimum Stipend | Proposed New Minimum Stipend |
| 1st Year | ₹1,000 / month | ₹3,000 / month |
| 2nd Year | ₹1,250 / month | ₹4,000 / month |
Important Terms
- Status of the Hike: The proposal is currently at the Draft Notification stage. The revised stipend rates will become legally binding only after they are finally published in the Official Gazette, following the close of the public comment period.
- Protection for Existing 3-Year Articles: A transitional safeguard applies to those who registered for their articleship under the older 3-year structure on or before the 2023 regulations came into effect. Such individuals will continue to be governed by the previous stipend rules.
- Industrial Training Stipend: For those opting for Industrial Training during their final year, the minimum stipend remains fixed at ₹15,000 per month, effective January 1, 2026, as per the updated empanelment guidelines. However, many organizations voluntarily offer higher amounts through mutual agreement.
- Market Realities: It is important to note that these figures represent only the statutory minimum set by ICAI. In practice, leading mid-sized firms and the Big 4 (EY, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG) frequently offer much higher stipends, often in the range of ₹12,000 to ₹25,000+ per month in metropolitan cities.
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