Under the revised framework, the CA Final exams will be held in May and November each year. The January attempt, which is currently part of the schedule, will be discontinued from 2026, with the January 2026 session being the last under the existing system.
The decision comes after feedback provided by students, faculty, and stakeholders, who had raised concerns about the existing frequency of exams in terms of preparation and planning for studies.
Important Announcement – Chartered Accountants Final Examination to be held twice a year from May 2026 Examination onwards.
For details pl visithttps://t.co/6tBqxbF40P pic.twitter.com/nsoXTBZebX
— Institute of Chartered Accountants of India – ICAI (@theicai) April 7, 2026
In its statement, the ICAI said, “Presently, Chartered Accountants Final Examinations are being conducted thrice a year i.e, in the months of January, May and September. However, in view of the feedback from the stakeholders, the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has decided that CA Final Examinations shall be conducted twice a year in the months of May and November with effect from May 2026 Chartered Accountants Examination and onwards.”
The move is likely to provide students with more time for preparation and revision, while also bringing greater stability to the examination calendar.
The reduction of the examination attempts is likely to impact lakhs of aspirants across the country. The change is expected to help candidates focus more on conceptual understanding and reduce the fatigue caused by frequent exam cycles.
While fewer attempts may reduce flexibility for some candidates, the longer gap between exams will allow students to better balance their studies with articleship and other professional commitments.
At the same time, students will need to plan their attempts more carefully, as missing an exam could result in a longer wait for the next opportunity.
The revised pattern is also seen as an effort to align the CA Final cycle with other professional exams and improve overall predictability in the examination process.
The new pattern will be implemented from the May 2026 CA Final examination, marking the beginning of the biannual system.
The CA Final May 2026 exam dates are scheduled to take place in May, with Group I running from May 2 to May 6, 2026, and Group II from May 8 to May 12, 2026.
Meanwhile, the ICAI has also rescheduled the CA Intermediate May 2026 examinations. Initially scheduled to begin on May 3, it will now commence on May 5, both in India and abroad.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Apr 7, 2026 11:07 AM IST
