The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is planning to review the CA syllabus completely, in tune with the present. “It may take a year's time, but we are at it,” said Mr Nilesh Vikamsey, Chairman, Board of Studies, ICAI.

He was in the city for an interactive meeting with the students of the Coimbatore Chapter of the ICAI.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of the interactive session, Mr Vikamsey said: “We are reviewing the syllabus – subject-wise, at the macro level. Information Technology (IT) is rapidly changing the way we do things. This has compelled us to take a relook at the syllabus.”

The institute has entered into agreements with select Universities for strengthening the course content. “We are not averse to agreements with like-minded bodies/institutes, but it has to be beneficial to the students,” he said.

Reverting to the proposal made to the Government (almost a year ago) seeking permission to admit graduates directly to the CA course, he said: “The draft notification was made in February. After a debate on the proposed regulation around mid-May, we will have to submit our response to the Government for passing of the Bill. We are hoping that things will fall in place at least by end-June.”

Mr Vikramsey explained that the move will enable graduates to join the CA course directly. “They will not be required to clear the Common Proficiency Test, but will have to get the qualifying marks in the degree programme to gain admission,” he said.

The number of candidates doing the CA course has touched the 10-lakh mark, he added.

Besides facilitating direct admission to graduates, the ICAI is also planning to make IT (Information Technology) training compulsory for its students. “It will be an intensive, advanced IT training programme for 15 days. The Council has cleared the proposal. We are working on the module, content, etc. This will be rolled out in the next 15 to 18 months. The training would be towards the fag end of the programme,” he added.

>lnr@thehindu.co.in