The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the examination schedule for the January 2026 session. Aspiring Chartered Accountants can now access the crucial dates for the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final examinations, as per the official notification No. 13-CA (EXAM)/JANUARY/2026.
The announcement provides a clear roadmap for thousands of students, allowing them to plan their study schedules effectively. The exams are scheduled to commence on January 5, 2026, and will conclude on January 24, 2026.
Key Highlights of the January 2026 CA Exam Schedule
The council has outlined the examination dates for each level, ensuring a staggered approach to accommodate all candidates.
CA Final Examination:
Group I: January 5, 7, and 9, 2026
Group II: January 11, 13, and 16, 2026
CA Intermediate Examination:
Group I: January 6, 8, and 10, 2026
Group II: January 12, 15, and 17, 2026
CA Foundation Examination:
All Papers: January 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026
Important Note: No examinations will be held on January 14, 2026 (Wednesday), on account of the Makar Sankranti, Magha Bihu, and Pongal festivals across India. The ICAI has also clarified that the schedule will remain unchanged even if any exam day is declared a public holiday.
Exam Timings and Duration
Candidates must note the variation in exam timings and durations for different papers:
CA Foundation: Papers 1 & 2 will be 3-hour exams from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST). Papers 3 & 4 will be shorter, 2-hour exams from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (IST).
CA Intermediate: All papers are 3 hours long, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST).
CA Final: Papers 1 to 5 are 3-hour exams (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM IST), while Paper 6 is a 4-hour exam (2:00 PM - 6:00 PM IST).
Download: ICAI CA January Exam 2026
An important point for students is the advance reading time of 15 minutes. This will be provided from 1:45 PM to 2:00 PM (IST) for all papers except Foundation Papers 3 & 4. For papers with MCQs, the question paper seal will be opened only at 2:00 PM.
Post-Qualification Course Examinations
ICAI has also announced the dates for post-qualification courses for its members:
- International Taxation – Assessment Test (INTT – AT): January 13 & 16, 2026 (4-hour duration).
- Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) Technical Examination: Modules I to IV on January 9, 11, 13, & 16, 2026 (3-hour duration).
The online application process will be conducted exclusively through the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP) at https://eservices.icai.org. Students must adhere to the following deadlines:
- Start Date for Submission: November 3, 2025 (Monday)
- Last Date without Late Fee: November 16, 2025 (Sunday)
- Last Date with Late Fee (₹600 / $10 USD): November 19, 2025 (Wednesday)
- Correction Window for city or medium change: November 20 to November 22, 2025
With the dates now public, students are advised to begin their preparation in earnest. Candidates should regularly check the official ICAI website, www.icai.org, for updates regarding the availability of examination forms and any additional notifications.
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