Campus Times | Lucknow

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has invited applications for the Corporate Mitra Scheme 2026, a skill development initiative aimed at preparing young graduates for employment opportunities in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Interested candidates can submit their applications through the SWAYAM Plus portal until July 31, 2026.

The programme has been designed to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements by combining classroom learning with practical workplace exposure.

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to graduates between 20 and 30 years of age. Students in the final year of their undergraduate programme are also eligible to apply. However, they will receive the course certificate only after completing their degree and fulfilling all programme requirements.

Blended learning with industry exposure

The training programme includes 150 hours of online learning followed by six months of mandatory on the job training. Participants will receive practical exposure across key finance and business domains, including accounting, taxation, banking operations, financial management, cost accounting, and company law.

The curriculum has been structured to equip candidates with industry relevant skills that are in demand across the MSME ecosystem.

Fee structure and certification

The course fee has been fixed at Rs 3,000 plus 18 percent GST. After successfully completing both the online learning module and the mandatory internship, candidates will be required to clear a joint assessment to earn the certification.

Career opportunities in the MSME ecosystem

Successful participants can explore entry level opportunities in finance and compliance functions across MSME. Potential career roles include Accounts Executive, Tax Professional, Accounts Consultant, and other finance related positions where practical accounting and regulatory knowledge is required.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the talent pipeline for Indias growing MSME sector while enhancing the employability of young graduates through industry oriented training.