The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially released the CA exam schedule for the September–November 2026 session, bringing clarity and direction for lakhs of aspirants preparing for one of India’s toughest professional courses.
The announcement includes Foundation, Intermediate, and Final course exam dates, along with key timelines for application and exam-related processes, enabling candidates to plan their preparation effectively.
CA Exam Dates 2026: Full Schedule
As per the official notification, the exams will be conducted in two phases — September 2026 (Foundation & Intermediate) and November 2026 (Final).
CA Foundation Exam Dates (September 2026)
- September 2, 5, 7, and 9, 2026
CA Intermediate Exam Dates (September 2026)
- Group 1: September 1, 3, and 6, 2026
- Group 2: September 8, 10, and 12, 2026
CA Final Exam Dates (November 2026)
- Group 1: November 2, 4, and 6, 2026
- Group 2: November 9, 11, and 13, 2026
The schedule also includes exams for post-qualification courses such as International Taxation Assessment Test (INTT-AT) and Insurance and Risk Management (IRM).
Application Process and Key Dates
ICAI is expected to begin the online application process in July 2026, allowing candidates to submit their forms through the official e-services portal.
Candidates are advised to:
- Complete registration within deadlines
- Carefully select exam centres
- Verify eligibility criteria before applying
Timely application is crucial to avoid late fees and last-minute issues.
Major Update: CA Final Exams Now Twice a Year
In a significant reform, ICAI has streamlined the examination cycle by conducting CA Final exams only twice a year — May and November.
This move aims to:
- Provide better preparation time
- Reduce academic pressure
- Improve exam performance outcomes
What This Means for CA Aspirants
The structured timeline offers students a clear preparation strategy:
- Foundation and Intermediate candidates can focus on September attempts
- Final-level aspirants can dedicate time for the November session
Experts suggest that early planning, mock tests, and consistent revision will be key to cracking the CA exams in 2026.
