Last Updated On -14 Feb 2026

Preparing for the CA Intermediate examinations in 2026 requires awareness of official dates, application timelines, and any schedule changes announced by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Whether you’re planning to appear in the January session or the May session, knowing exact dates well in advance helps you structure your study plan and avoid last-minute rushes.
This article provides a detailed overview of all important CA Intermediate exam dates 2026 — including revised schedules for postponed papers, registration timelines, exam structure, exam day timing, and more. By the end of this guide, you’ll have everything you need to organize your CA Intermediate journey in 2026.
Before we get into dates, it helps to understand the exam structure:
Now, let’s look at the official CA Intermediate exam dates for 2026.
For candidates appearing in the January 2026 session, ICAI released the schedule in late 2025:
Exam timing for all Intermediate papers is from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST — a standard 3-hour duration per paper unless otherwise specified by ICAI.
ICAI has also released the May 2026 session schedule for CA Intermediate:
These dates are part of the standard ICAI schedule for the May session. All papers are typically held between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM IST.
To appear in the May 2026 attempt, candidates must complete the online exam application (exam form) on the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP).
It’s essential to fill out the form accurately — including exam medium (English/Hindi), group selection, and exam centre — before deadlines close.
Occasionally, ICAI may adjust scheduled dates due to unforeseen circumstances (as seen in the January 2026 session). The Auditing & Ethics paper for Group II was postponed from its original slot and is expected to be rescheduled officially.
If you’re planning future attempts, keep an eye on the official ICAI notifications and announcements on the ICAI website or SSP portal for:
These updates ensure you don’t miss any changes or deadlines.
Begin your preparation well before the exam registration window opens. For May 2026, you should have been studying intensively from late 2025 or early 2026.
Since Intermediate has two groups, many students choose to:
Attempt full-length mock tests and previous years’ papers before each exam cycle (January/May/September) to build exam stamina.
CA Intermediate January 2026 Group I papers were scheduled between Jan 6–10, and Group II between Jan 12–17, 2026, with one paper postponed.
Yes — the Group II Auditing & Ethics exam originally set for Jan 19, 2026 was postponed; a revised date will be announced by ICAI.
Group I: May 3, 5, 7 and Group II: May 9, 11, 13, 2026.
From March 3 to March 16, 2026 (without late fee) and until March 19, 2026 with late fee.
Standard timing is 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM IST for all Intermediate papers.