Is their any concept of Provisional Articleship ?

no there is no provision regarding this

no way... 

I think you can go for audit assistant (after passing CPT), but that's for 4 years. So, if you join for articleship after passing IPCC, you will have to work for 3 years, meaning your final attempt will be after same time.

Thanks for the clarity :)

You can try asking with some CA if they can fit in your friend now itself and later adjust this against leaves, if possible. But, CAs are not to be trusted.. ;)

He can also try as paid staff and check out various firms, their work culture so that he does not have issues/ headache later, as test-ride.