CA Exam Dates 2026

The CA exams in India are conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), one of the world’s most respected professional accounting bodies. The CA qualification is highly valued in areas such as accounting, auditing, taxation, finance, and business advisory. In 2026, ICAI is expected to conduct multiple exam attempts for all three levels of the course, Foundation, Intermediate, and Final, including January, May, and September sessions. These exam dates are extremely important for students because they influence preparation strategy, revision planning, mock test schedules, articleship management, and even career timelines.

CA January 2026 Exam Dates

The January 2026 session was the first major attempt of the year and became particularly beneficial for students wanting an early exam opportunity after board exams or semester completion. For students appearing in the January 2026 attempt, the application process began through the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP) on November 3, 2025. The last date to submit applications without a late fee was November 16, 2025, while applications with a late fee of ₹600 were accepted until November 19, 2025. ICAI also provided a correction window shortly after the registration deadline, allowing students to modify details such as exam city, medium, or group selection. 

CA Final January 2026 Exam Dates

For CA Final preparations, you need to understand the subject division. For CA Final students, the exams were divided into Group I and Group II:

• Group I: January 5, 7 & 9, 2026
• Group II: January 11, 13 & 16, 2026

Take a quick look at this video explanation on CA Intermediate Syllabus and Paper details!

 

This group-wise structure helps students prepare systematically and also allows them to appear for one or both groups depending on their preparation level.

CA Intermediate January 2026 Exam Dates

The Intermediate exams were also conducted in two groups:

• Group I: January 6, 8 & 10, 2026
• Group II: January 12, 15 & 17, 2026

Since Intermediate contains a vast syllabus involving accounting, taxation, costing, law, and finance, many students begin their dedicated revision phase nearly three to four months before the exams.

CA Foundation January 2026 Exam Dates

The CA Foundation exams were scheduled later in the month:

• January 18, 20, 22 & 24, 2026

As the entry-level examination after Class 12, Foundation exams attract a massive number of aspirants every year. Students usually focus heavily on mock tests and concept clarity during the final months before the exams.

CA Exam Timings and Structure

ICAI generally conducts CA exams during the afternoon session, mainly between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Certain papers, especially practical or case-study-oriented subjects, may extend until 6:00 PM. This consistent timing allows students to build a disciplined routine while preparing.

An important aspect of the January 2026 schedule was that ICAI intentionally avoided conducting exams on January 14 due to major Indian festivals such as Pongal, Makar Sankranti, and Magha Bihu. This reflects ICAI’s effort to accommodate India’s cultural diversity and reduce stress for students across different regions.

CA May 2026 Exam Dates

The May 2026 session remained one of the most preferred attempts for CA aspirants. Many students who appeared in January use the May attempt as an opportunity to improve scores, clear pending groups, or continue their progression in the course.

CA Final May 2026 Exam Dates

The CA Foundation level, which is the entry point for students just after Class 12, is scheduled later in the month. The Final exams were scheduled as follows:

• Group I: May 2, 4 & 6, 2026
• Group II: May 8, 10 & 12, 2026

The gap between groups allows students to revise thoroughly and manage stress more effectively.

CA Intermediate May 2026 Exam Dates

For CA Intermediate, Group I and Group II are also scheduled in early January: Intermediate students followed a similar structure:

• Group I: May 3, 5 & 7, 2026
• Group II: May 9, 11 & 13, 2026

The scheduling pattern is designed to give students adequate preparation breaks between papers while maintaining the momentum of the examination cycle.

CA Foundation May 2026 Exam Dates

Foundation exams were conducted after Intermediate and Final papers:

• May 14, 16, 18 & 20, 2026

This arrangement ensures smooth exam management for ICAI and also gives Foundation students enough preparation time after board or university examinations.

CA Application Process for May 2026

The application window for May 2026 exams opened around March 3, 2026. The last date to apply without a late fee was March 16, 2026, while applications with a late fee could be submitted until March 19, 2026. ICAI also opened a correction facility for students wishing to change exam center preferences or language medium.

Admit cards for the May exams were expected to be released in April 2026, allowing students enough time to finalize travel and accommodation arrangements if required.

CA September 2026 Exam Dates

The September 2026 session serves as an additional opportunity for students who may have missed previous attempts or wish to quickly reattempt unsuccessful groups. This attempt has become increasingly important because it reduces the waiting period between exam cycles and helps students maintain continuity in preparation.

CA Intermediate September 2026 Exam Dates

• Group I: September 1, 3 & 6, 2026
• Group II: September 8, 10 & 12, 2026

CA Foundation September 2026 Exam Dates

The September attempt is especially helpful for students balancing articleship, college education, internships, or full-time work commitments. Since the gap between May results and September exams is relatively short, students often begin preparation immediately after their previous attempt.

• September 2, 5, 7 & 9, 2026

CA Expected Result Dates

ICAI usually announces results within four to six weeks after the conclusion of exams. These results are highly significant because they determine eligibility for the next level, campus placements, industrial training, or articleship progression.

• January 2026 results: Expected in February 2026
• May 2026 results: Expected in late June or early July 2026
• September 2026 results: Expected in October 2026

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Why CA Exam Dates Matter So Much?

Understanding the CA exam calendar is not just about remembering dates, it plays a critical role in strategic preparation. Most aspirants start serious preparation 6–9 months before their intended attempt, including revision, mock tests, and previous years’ papers. Consistent study rhythm ensures better retention and confidence.

• Study Planning: Students divide the syllabus into monthly and weekly targets based on exam schedules. Knowing the exam timeline helps allocate sufficient time for revisions, practice papers, and mock exams.
• Articleship Management: CA students pursuing articleship often handle office work, audits, taxation assignments, and client responsibilities. Proper planning around exam dates helps maintain balance between professional training and academic preparation.
• Multiple Attempt Strategy: One of the advantages of ICAI’s current system is the availability of multiple attempts in a year. If a student is unable to clear a group in January, they can quickly reattempt in May or September without losing significant preparation momentum.
• Reduced Academic Gap: The addition of the September attempt has significantly reduced the waiting time between examinations. This allows students to complete the CA course faster and enter the workforce earlier.

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Frequently Asked Questions on CA Exam Dates 2026

How many CA exam attempts are there in 2026?

ICAI is expected to conduct three major attempts in 2026 — January, May, and September — for different levels of the CA course.

Can students appear for one group at a time in CA Intermediate and Final?

Yes. Students can choose to appear for either one group or both groups together in CA Intermediate and CA Final examinations.

When are ICAI admit cards usually released?

ICAI generally releases admit cards around 10–15 days before the examination begins through the official SSP portal.