The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 for the regulation of the profession of Chartered Accountants in India. ICAI is the second largest accounting body in the world with a strong tradition of service to the public interest and to the Indian economy. The Institute functions under the administrative control of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. It has its headquarters in New Delhi and 5 Regional offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur, Kolkata and New Delhi. It presently has 150 branches spread all over the country. In addition, it has also set up 26 chapters outside India and an overseas office in Dubai.

Recently, it was brought to the notice of ICAI that OPJS University, Churu (Rajasthan), is offering/conducting certain programmes/courses under the nomenclature “Master in C.A.” and “Bachelor in C.A.” (under the School of Chartered Accountant). ICAI filed a writ petition against OPJS University and others before the Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur.

On July 10, 2015, the Division Bench of Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur admitted the petition and issued the notice to the OPJS University, returnable within 6 weeks and in the meanwhile until further orders restrained the OPJS University from admitting any student in the School of Chartered Accountants for awarding Masters Degree in Chartered Accountancy, Bachelors Degree in Chartered Accountancy, Diploma in Chartered Accountancy and Certificate in Accountancy. The University shall also not award degree diploma or certificate aforesaid.

It is relevant to mention that no person/body other than ICAI can perform the functions entrusted to it under the Chartered Accountants Act. The use of the expression “Chartered Accountant” or its abbreviation “C.A.” by a person other than the member of the ICAI is a punishable offence under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949. Further, it may be mentioned that awarding any degree, diploma or certificate or bestowing of any designation which indicate or purports to indicate the position or attainment of any qualification or competence similar to that of a member of the ICAI is also punishable offence under the CA Act.