ICAI CA Exam 2026 – Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern & Registration
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts the Chartered Accountant (CA) exam, which is considered one of the most prestigious professional exams in India for students who want to build a career in finance, auditing, taxation, and corporate accounting.
The CA qualification is highly respected worldwide and opens opportunities in top companies, multinational firms, audit firms, and government financial institutions. Many students search for information such as CA exam dates 2026, ICAI registration process, CA Foundation syllabus, and CA Intermediate exam pattern. This article provides a complete guide to the ICAI CA exam structure, important dates, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and registration procedure.
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Important: Registration for the May 2026 CA exam attempt usually begins around March 2026. Candidates should complete the exam form submission before the last date announced by ICAI.
1. ICAI CA 2026 Important Dates
ICAI conducts CA exams twice every year, typically in May and November sessions. The May 2026 exam schedule includes separate dates for CA Final, CA Intermediate and CA Foundation levels.
May 2026 Session Exam Schedule
| Exam Level | Dates |
|---|---|
| CA Final (Group 1) | 2, 4, 6 May 2026 |
| CA Final (Group 2) | 8, 10, 12 May 2026 |
| CA Intermediate (Group 1) | 3, 5, 7 May 2026 |
| CA Intermediate (Group 2) | 9, 11, 13 May 2026 |
| CA Foundation | 14, 16, 18, 20 May 2026 |
2. ICAI CA Vacancies
The CA exam is not a government recruitment exam, so it does not have vacancies like competitive exams. Instead, candidates who successfully complete all stages receive the Chartered Accountant certification.
Qualified Chartered Accountants can work in multiple sectors such as:
- Audit firms
- Corporate finance departments
- Tax consultancy
- Investment banking
- Financial advisory services
- Government financial institutions
3. ICAI CA Eligibility Criteria
CA Foundation
- Candidate must pass Class 12 from a recognized board.
CA Intermediate
- Must pass CA Foundation, or
- Graduate with 55% (Commerce) or 60% (Other streams).
CA Final
- Must pass CA Intermediate.
- Complete required Articleship training.
4. CA Course Selection Stages
The Chartered Accountant qualification involves multiple stages of examination and training.
- CA Foundation – Entry-level exam after Class 12.
- CA Intermediate – Second stage of the course.
- Articleship Training – 3 years practical training under a CA firm.
- CA Final Exam – Final stage to become a Chartered Accountant.
- ICAI Membership – Candidates become certified Chartered Accountants.
5. CA Foundation Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Accounting | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Business Laws | 100 |
| Paper 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 100 |
| Paper 4 | Business Economics | 100 |
Total Marks: 400
Passing Criteria:
- Minimum 40% in each paper
- Minimum 50% overall
Exam Duration:
- Papers 1 & 2 → 3 hours
- Papers 3 & 4 → 2 hours
6. CA Intermediate Exam Pattern
Group 1
| Paper | Subject |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Advanced Accounting |
| Paper 2 | Corporate & Other Laws |
| Paper 3 | Taxation |
Group 2
| Paper | Subject |
|---|---|
| Paper 4 | Cost & Management Accounting |
| Paper 5 | Auditing & Ethics |
| Paper 6 | Financial Management & Strategic Management |
Each paper carries 100 marks.
7. CA Final Exam Pattern
The CA Final examination consists of 6 papers divided into two groups.
Group 1
- Financial Reporting
- Advanced Financial Management
- Advanced Auditing
Group 2
- Direct Tax Laws
- Indirect Tax Laws
- Integrated Business Solutions
Each paper carries 100 marks.
8. CA Syllabus Overview
Accounting
- Financial statements
- Partnership accounts
- Company accounts
Taxation
- Income tax
- GST
Auditing
- Audit procedures
- Audit reports
Law
- Company law
- Business law
Financial Management
- Investment decisions
- Capital budgeting
9. ICAI Exam Timing
| Exam | Timing |
|---|---|
| Foundation Paper 1 & 2 | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| Foundation Paper 3 & 4 | 2 PM – 4 PM |
| Intermediate Papers | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| Final Papers | 2 PM – 5 PM |
10. ICAI Exam Application Fee (Approx)
| Level | Fee |
|---|---|
| CA Foundation | ₹1500 |
| CA Intermediate | ₹2700 |
| CA Final | ₹3300 |
Fees may vary for international exam centers.
11. How to Apply for ICAI CA Exam
- Visit official website – https://www.icai.org
- Register through ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP)
- Fill exam form with personal and educational details
- Upload photo, signature and required documents
- Pay exam fee online
- Submit the form and download confirmation page
12. Documents Required
- Class 10 certificate
- Class 12 marksheet
- Graduation certificate (if applicable)
- Photo and signature
- ID proof
13. Official Website
👉 https://www.icai.org