ICAI Announces CA Final Exam Will Be Held Twice a Year

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a major change in the CA Final examination schedule. Starting from May 2026, the CA Final exam will be conducted only twice a year—in May and November.

Currently, CA Final exams are held three times a year in January, May, and September. However, under the new system, January 2026 will be the last session following the old pattern, after which the January attempt will be discontinued.

ICAI stated that this decision has been taken after considering feedback from stakeholders. The change is expected to help students get better preparation time, more opportunities for revision, and a more balanced exam schedule.

From May 2026, the new pattern will officially come into effect, limiting the exam to two attempts per year. The objective of this change is to simplify and improve the examination system so that students can prepare more effectively.

Every year, lakhs of students appear for the CA Final exam, making this decision highly significant. Although the number of attempts will be reduced, students will benefit from having more time for preparation and revision.

However, students will now need to plan their preparation carefully, as missing one attempt will result in a longer wait for the next opportunity.

The CA Final exam is the last and most important step to becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA). It is conducted by ICAI, and only after passing this exam does a candidate receive the official CA qualification.

The exam includes advanced-level subjects such as Financial Reporting, Auditing, Taxation, and Strategic Management.