ICAI Reschedules CA Intermediate Exams and Announces New CA Final Exam Pattern from 2026
- Kamaleesh Don
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced important updates to the CA exam schedule for 2026 and beyond, including rescheduling the CA Intermediate exams and changing the frequency of the CA Final exams. These changes will have a significant impact on students preparing for Chartered Accountancy examinations across India and abroad.
CA Intermediate Exams Rescheduled
ICAI has rescheduled the CA Intermediate May 2026 examinations to begin on May 5, 2026, instead of the earlier date of May 3, 2026. The revised dates come in response to unavoidable circumstances and apply to candidates both in India and overseas. The exam timings remain the same for all centres.
CA Final Exams to Be Held Twice a Year
In a major structural change, ICAI has decided to conduct the CA Final examinations only twice a year, starting from the May 2026 exam cycle. This marks a return to a bi‑annual schedule with exams held in May and November each year. Previously, the CA Final exams were conducted three times a year (January, May, and September).
Under the new policy:
The January and September sessions for CA Final exams have been discontinued beginning 2026.
The May and November sessions will be the primary exam windows moving forward.
The May 2026 cycle will be the first under this new pattern.
Why the Change Matters
This revision is aimed at streamlining the examination process, offering students a longer and more structured preparation period between attempts. By reducing the frequency of CA Final exams, ICAI intends to provide aspirants with a clearer preparation timeline and better consistency in exam scheduling.
The move also reflects feedback received from students, educators, and industry stakeholders who recommended a bi‑annual schedule to improve the quality of preparation and reduce exam‑related pressure.
What Students Should Do
Students preparing for the May 2026 CA exams need to note the following:
Update their study plans according to the revised CA Intermediate schedule.
Prepare for the CA Intermediate exam starting May 5, 2026.
Recognise that the CA Final exam cycle will now be limited to two attempts per year (May and November).
Realign preparation timelines and revision strategies to adapt to the new bi‑annual CA Final exam format.
This update from ICAI marks a significant shift in the Chartered Accountancy examination pattern and is expected to benefit future aspirants by offering more structured preparation time and improved predictability of exam schedules.
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