The Chartered Debt Advisor (CDA) is Equalifi’s specialised qualification in debt counselling and advice. It recognises the knowledge and skills needed to help individuals and families borrow responsibly, manage their debts, avoid debt traps and recover from financial distress, considerably improving their financial well-being.

Debt is an integral part of personal finance. With changing lifestyle aspirations, more people are borrowing to meet consumption needs, often through credit cards, personal loans, buy now, pay later and digital lending apps. Many borrowers, unaware of the true cost and consequences of debt, fall into a debt trap. Debt advice is relevant to people in every financial situation, from creating a budget and planning a home loan to consolidating debts, rebuilding credit and resolving overdue loans.

The CDA covers the debt market, key market participants, regulations, consumer protection and borrower rights, unsecured and secured debt products, the true cost of borrowing, credit health, credit decisions, personal credit planning, budgeting and cash flow counselling, debt management and repayment strategies, delinquency, collections and recovery, debt resolution and settlement, credit enhancement, housing and mortgage counselling, debt counselling skills, special situations and professional ethics.

What a Chartered Debt Advisor does

• Assesses a client’s overall financial situation by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports and other financial information.
• Creates debt management plans, spending plans and budgets to help clients meet their financial goals.
• Recommends suitable strategies, such as budget adjustments, debt consolidation, refinancing, restructuring or settlement.
• Prioritises debt repayment to avoid serious consequences and reduce overall costs, such as by repaying high-interest and short-term loans first.
• Explains financial topics to clients, such as credit reports and scores, loan terms, borrower rights, consumer protection and collection practices.
• Advises clients on housing matters, such as renting, home ownership, home loan delinquency and foreclosure prevention.
• Negotiates with lenders on behalf of clients for payment adjustments, interest rate reductions, time extensions or repayment plans.
• Reviews changes in a client’s financial, family or employment situation and revises their plans accordingly.
• Explains loan types, eligibility requirements and loan restrictions to clients.
• Prepares written recommendations and documentation for clients.

The CDA is assessed through a single MCQ examination, with knowledge, application and case-based questions drawn from real borrower situations.

Who should take the exam?

Financial planners and wealth managers, debt and credit counsellors, loan officers and credit managers in banks and NBFCs, collections and recovery professionals, microfinance staff, relationship managers, financial well-being and HR professionals, fintech and digital lending professionals, and anyone who advises individuals or families on borrowing and debt.

Important

The CDA is an educational qualification awarded by Equalifi. It does not constitute a regulatory licence or authorisation to provide legal services, act as a recovery agent or provide investment advice. Clients with legal matters should be referred to qualified legal professionals.

Study material and tutorials

The CDA is an instructor-led course and includes online tutorials, study notes, exercises, instructional slides, case studies, assignments and practice tests.

Exam details

Equalifi offers the examination through an external, remote-proctored platform. Once registration and payment are confirmed, candidates receive an exam link by email. Candidates may schedule and take the exam within one year of registration, from any location, subject to the platform’s requirements.

Candidates need a reliable internet connection and a computer with a working camera. Please read the technical and exam-day instructions before starting the exam.

Validity

The CDA does not expire.

Candidate audit

Equalifi randomly audits a percentage of applications on a regular basis. Candidates are responsible for providing the requested supporting documentation to verify the education and professional background stated in their registration form. Equalifi does not contact employers or educational institutions to obtain verification documents on a candidate’s behalf.

Candidates selected for audit will be notified by email and will have 10 business days to respond. They must meet the audit requirements before receiving the CDA.

Failure to comply with the audit, falsification or misrepresentation of information, or any unprofessional conduct will result in denial or cancellation of the registration and/or revocation of the CDA, and all fees will be forfeited. A candidate who does not comply with an audit will also be subject to audit when reapplying in future.

Fee details

Exam fee: INR 3,540

Fee is inclusive of GST. The exam fee applies to each attempt.

Access Pass benefits

Fee waiver: Equalifi Chartered, Professional and Virtual Pass holders receive a 50% waiver on the exam fee.

Exam preparatory material: Access Pass holders receive access to exam preparatory material on the Equalifi portal.

Learn more about the Equalifi Access Pass.