The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announced on September 2, 2025, the postponement of the Chartered Accountants (CA) Final and Intermediate Examinations originally scheduled for September 3 and 4, 2025, in select cities of Punjab and Jammu City. The decision was made in response to incessant rainfall and severe flooding that have disrupted normal life and created logistical challenges in these regions. The affected examination centers are located in Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mandi Gobindgarh, Pathankot, Patiala, Sangrur, and Jammu City.
Key Points:
- The postponement is location-specific, affecting only the listed cities; exams elsewhere proceed as scheduled.
- Revised exam dates will be announced soon, with candidates advised to monitor icai.org for updates.
- The decision modifies ICAI’s earlier announcement dated May 30, 2025, but other details, such as exam structure, remain unchanged.
Context of the Flood Crisis
The postponement follows severe weather conditions in Punjab and Jammu, where heavy rainfall since late August 2025 has caused widespread flooding. In Punjab, 30 fatalities have been reported, with over 3.5 lakh people affected across all 23 districts, declared flood-hit. In Jammu, over 110 deaths have been linked to rains, flash floods, and cloudbursts, particularly impacting districts like Kishtwar, Kathua, Reasi, and Ramban. The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers have overflowed, exacerbating the crisis.
Key Points:
- Punjab recorded 253.7 mm of rain in August, 74% above normal, marking the state’s worst floods since 1988.
- 23 NDRF teams, 12 Army columns, and 35 helicopters are deployed for rescue and relief in Punjab.
- Haryana has provided Rs 5 crore in financial aid to both Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir to support relief efforts.
Affected Examinations and Original Schedule
The postponed exams include:
- CA Final Group 1: Originally scheduled for September 3, 2025.
- CA Intermediate Group 1: Originally scheduled for September 4, 2025.
The original timetable, announced on May 30, 2025, remains intact for other dates and regions:
- CA Final: Group 1 (September 3, 6, 8); Group 2 (September 10, 12, 14). Paper 6 is 4 hours; others are 3 hours with 15 minutes extra for reading.
- CA Intermediate: Group 1 (September 4, 7, 9); Group 2 (September 11, 13, 15). All papers are 3 hours with 15 minutes extra for reading.
Exams are also conducted in nine overseas cities (Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Thimpu, Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh), which remain unaffected.
Key Points:
- The postponement ensures student safety amid transportation and logistical challenges.
- ICAI will issue new admit cards for the rescheduled exams in the affected cities.
- Candidates in unaffected regions should proceed with the original schedule.
What Candidates Should Do
ICAI has urged candidates to stay updated via the official website, icai.org, where revised dates and admit cards will be published. The institute emphasized that the postponement is limited to the specified centers, and all other particulars from the May 30 announcement remain valid.
Key Steps for Candidates:
- Check the Official Notice: Visit icai.org for the postponement announcement and updates.
- Monitor for Revised Dates: ICAI will notify new exam dates once the flood situation stabilizes.
- Prepare for Exams: Use the additional time to review, as other exam details remain unchanged.
- Contact ICAI: For queries, use the ICAI Examination Department helpline or portal, as referenced in prior announcements.
Key Points:
- The postponement affects only specific centers in Punjab and Jammu; other regions follow the original schedule.
- Candidates should avoid relying on unofficial sources and check icai.org regularly.
- The decision prioritizes safety, aligning with relief efforts by NDRF, Army, and state governments.
