CIMA India runs five fast track pathways: GPAP, A-Star, FLP, SEP and C-Suite. Each one cuts the usual 16 exams down to between 1 and 3, depending on who you are. If none fits, the standard route with exemptions is open to anyone. Your likely pathway depends on your qualification, degree and years of experience, and CIMA confirms it.
What are the CIMA pathways in India?
CIMA's full qualification has 16 exams across four stages. Every route ends with the Strategic Case Study (SCS), which is never exempt. A pathway is a set route where CIMA India exempts most exams and bundles registration, exam fees and study support into one fee.
Fees are charged in pounds, plus 18% GST. Pathway fees as of 27 Aug 2026, CIMA India.
| Route | Who it is for | Exams you sit | Fee (+ 18% GST) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPAP | Active ICAI (CA) or ICMAI (CMA) members | 1: SCS | £1,100 | About 6 months |
| A-Star (part of FLP) | Commerce graduates, CGPA 7.5+, degree in the last 5 years | 1 | £2,000 | About 6 months |
| FLP | Graduates and postgraduates, under 6 years' experience | 1, 2 or 3 case studies | £2,000 or £3,400 | 6 to 18 months |
| SEP | 6+ years' experience, at least 3 in a management or senior executive role | 2: MCS + SCS | £3,150 with tuition, £2,100 without | About 12 months |
| C-Suite | Senior finance leaders, 12+ years | 1: SCS | £4,590 | About 6 months |
| Standard route | Anyone. No minimum education | Up to 16, fewer with exemptions | £99 registration, then each exam paid separately | Depends on your pace |
What this means: a pathway can take you from 16 exams to between 1 and 3. The trade-off: one bundled fee and set entry rules.
GPAP: for CAs and CMAs
GPAP (Global Professional Accountants Programme) is for active members of ICAI or ICMAI (formerly ICWA). You sit only the SCS. The fee covers registration, the SCS exam fee (one attempt, valid one year), online training, study resources and tutor support.
Documents: application form, letter of good standing, membership certificate, final exam certificate, updated CV, government ID.
Note: CIMA has no exemption agreement with ICAI. On the standard route, a CA starts at Management level with 8 exams left. GPAP is the one-exam route.
A-Star: for strong recent commerce graduates
A-Star is part of FLP. It is for commerce graduates with a CGPA of 7.5 or more, whose degree was completed in the last 5 years. You sit 1 exam, with 15 exempt. The fee covers registration, the exam fee (2 attempts), the FLP online platform, mocks, live sessions and past papers.
Documents: application form, all semester mark sheets, final degree certificate, government ID.
FLP: for graduates early in their career
The CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP) is for graduates and postgraduates with under 6 years' experience. You sit 1, 2 or 3 case studies. The fee is £2,000 or £3,400. CIMA's public page lists these as 1-year and 2-year options. It covers registration, exam fees (2 attempts each), the FLP platform and live sessions.
Documents: all semester mark sheets, final degree certificate, updated CV, government ID.
SEP: for experienced managers
The Senior Executive Programme (SEP, also called C-SEP) is for people with 6+ years' experience, at least 3 of them in a management or senior executive role. You sit 2 exams, the Management Case Study (MCS) and the SCS, with 14 exempt. The fee is £3,150 with tuition or £2,100 without. It covers registration, the MCS and SCS exam fees (one attempt each, valid one year), online training and tutor support.
Documents: application form, updated CV, educational documents, government ID.
C-Suite: for senior finance leaders
The C-Suite or CFO Programme (Global C-Suite Business and Finance Programme) is for senior finance leaders with 12+ years' experience. You sit only the SCS. The fee covers registration, the SCS exam fee (one attempt, valid one year), a 4-day live online workshop with an international tutor, the membership application fee and study resources.
Documents: application form, updated CV, educational documents, government ID.
The standard route: open to everyone
If no pathway fits, register directly with CIMA. There is no minimum education. Your degree or professional body can still earn free exemptions. Some examples from CIMA's exemption calculator:
- Most B.Com degrees (Mumbai, Calcutta, Madras, Gujarat, Osmania, IGNOU): 12 exams left.
- Christ, Bangalore University or SRCC B.Com: 8 left.
- ICAI or ICMAI member: 8 left.
- Many finance MBAs (Bangalore, Gujarat): start at the MCS, 5 left.
Degrees need 50% overall, and degrees 7 or more years old get only Cert BA exemptions. Registration is £99, including the first year's subscription. In India, a Management test costs £154 and the SCS £354 (2026). Exam fees rise 2 to 4% on 1 January 2027.
Which CIMA pathway fits you?
Find the line that describes you. This is your likely route. CIMA confirms it.
- Active CA or CMA member: likely GPAP.
- Commerce graduate, CGPA 7.5+, graduated in the last 5 years: likely A-Star.
- Graduate with under 6 years' experience: likely FLP.
- 6+ years' experience, with 3 in management: likely SEP.
- 12+ years in senior finance roles: likely C-Suite.
- None of these: the standard route with exemptions.
If you fit more than one, compare the exams and fees in the table, then ask CIMA India.
How do you apply for a CIMA India pathway?
All five pathways go through CIMA India, not the standard online registration. You send an application form and the documents for your pathway. CIMA India reviews them and confirms your eligibility. Then you pay and start.
- We help you apply through CIMA India: we gather and check your documents before they go in.
- Matching courses: GPAP and C-Suite, our SCS course. SEP, our MCS course then the SCS course. FLP and A-Star, our case study courses.
- Start free with our case study mini course.
- Finntutors is a CIMA Global Learning Provider and has won CIMA's Global Pass Rate Excellence Award four times in a row. We are also listed as a Registered Tuition Provider on CIMA India's website.
Not sure which route is yours?
Message us on WhatsApp with your qualification and years of experience. We will tell you your likely route, what CIMA needs from you, and help you apply. CIMA confirms the final route.
Questions people ask
Is there a CIMA fast track in India?
Yes. CIMA India runs five pathways: GPAP, A-Star, FLP, SEP and C-Suite. Each one cuts the exams you sit to between 1 and 3.
Which CIMA pathway is cheapest?
GPAP, at £1,100 + 18% GST, but only active ICAI and ICMAI members can apply. Fees as of 27 Aug 2026.
Can I do a CIMA pathway without a commerce degree?
FLP is open to graduates and postgraduates with under 6 years' experience. SEP and C-Suite are based on experience. CIMA confirms eligibility.
Do I still sit the Strategic Case Study on a pathway?
Yes. The SCS is never exempt, so every route ends with it.
Please check before you apply. CIMA sets its own fees, exemptions and entry rules, and they can change. This article reflects CIMA's published information and CIMA India's pathway details as of 16 Oct 2026 (India pathway prices as of 27 Aug 2026, CIMA India). Your exact route and fee are confirmed only by CIMA when you apply. Contact the CIMA India office ([email protected]), or ask us and we will connect you. Finntutors is an independent tuition provider and does not decide exemptions or fees.
Sources
- CIMA India pathway sheet (eligibility, exams, fees, inclusions, documents), 27 Aug 2026
- CIMA FLP public page (Skills Plus 1-year and 2-year prices), 2026
- CIMA exemption calculator, aicpa-cima.com/exemption-calculator, read 16 Oct 2026
- AICPA & CIMA fees page, aicpa-cima.com, updated 7 Oct 2026
- ICAI list of agreements with overseas accounting bodies, updated 20 May 2026
- CIMA India list of Registered Tuition Providers, updated 9 Apr 2026
