ICAI Announces Exam Postponement
Key Points:
- CA Final, Intermediate, and PQC exams scheduled from May 9 to 14, 2025, postponed.
- Decision due to heightened India-Pakistan tensions and security concerns.
- New exam dates to be announced soon by ICAI.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has postponed the remaining papers of the Chartered Accountants (CA) Final, Intermediate, and Post Qualification Course (PQC) Examinations, including the International Taxation – Assessment Test (INTT-AT), originally scheduled between May 9 and 14, 2025. The decision, announced on May 9, 2025, is a response to the tense security situation in the country stemming from escalating India-Pakistan border tensions, particularly following Operation Sindoor and retaliatory actions.
Affected Exam Papers and Regions
Key Points:
- Postponed exams include CA Final, CA Intermediate, and PQC INTT-AT papers.
- Specific cities like Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar, and Jodhpur initially affected.
- Nationwide postponement now applies due to widespread security measures.
The postponement initially targeted 12 cities, including Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Sri Ganganagar, many of which are near the India-Pakistan border. These regions have faced blackouts, movement restrictions, and increased troop deployments amid reports of missile and drone activities. However, ICAI later extended the postponement to all exam centers across India, citing the nationwide security situation. The affected papers include:
- CA Final: Remaining papers from May 9-13, 2025.
- CA Intermediate: Remaining papers from May 9-14, 2025.
- PQC INTT-AT: Papers scheduled for May 10 and 13, 2025.
Reason for Postponement: India-Pakistan Tensions
Key Points:
- Tensions escalated after Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
- Pakistan’s retaliatory drone and missile attacks prompted heightened security.
- Blackouts and movement restrictions in border states disrupted normalcy.
The India-Pakistan conflict intensified after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people. Pakistan’s retaliatory actions, including drone and missile attacks on military installations in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan, led to blackouts in cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Pathankot, and Jammu, as well as heightened security measures. These disruptions, particularly in border states, made it challenging to conduct examinations safely, prompting ICAI’s decision.
Impact on Students and Exam Process
Key Points:
- Over 4.26 lakh CA aspirants affected by the postponement.
- Students advised to await official updates on new exam dates.
- Exam city change window to reopen from June 9 to 11, 2025.
The postponement affects a significant number of CA aspirants preparing for the May 2025 session, with many expressing concerns on social media platforms like X. ICAI has assured students that new examination dates will be announced soon, and the window for changing exam cities will be reopened from June 9 to 11, 2025, at icaiexam.icai.org to accommodate any logistical challenges. Students are urged to plan their travel carefully and stay updated via official ICAI channels to avoid misinformation.
Official ICAI Statement and Updates
Key Points:
- ICAI’s notification cites security concerns as the primary reason for postponement.
- Students can check updates on icai.org or eservices.icai.org.
- Social media posts by ICAI members urged collective action for safety.
ICAI’s official statement, released on May 9, 2025, reads: “In view of the tense and security situation in the Country, the remaining papers of Chartered Accountants Final, Intermediate and Post Qualification Course Examinations [International Taxation–Assessment Test (INTT AT)] May 2025 from 9th May 2025 to 14th May 2025, stand postponed.” The institute has emphasized the importance of student safety and advised candidates to regularly check www.icai.org for rescheduling announcements. Posts on X by ICAI members, such as Central Council Member CA Rohit Ruwatia Agarwal, highlighted the need to prioritize national security, reinforcing the decision to postpone exams.
Student Guidance and Next Steps
Key Points:
- Avoid relying on unverified social media rumors about exam schedules.
- Use official ICAI portals for accurate information.
- Prepare for potential rescheduling in June or later, based on past trends.
ICAI has urged students to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, especially after earlier rumors about postponements due to Civil Defence mock drills were clarified as false. Candidates are advised to:
- Monitor icai.org and eservices.icai.org for updates on new exam dates.
- Join official ICAI communication channels, such as WhatsApp or Telegram groups, for real-time notifications.
- Plan study schedules flexibly, as past postponements (e.g., COVID-19 in 2021 or floods in 2022) saw exams rescheduled within a month.
Staying Safe Amid Tensions
Key Points:
- Follow government advisories in affected regions like Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Stay indoors during blackouts and avoid border areas.
- Rely on verified news for updates on India-Pakistan tensions.
As the India-Pakistan situation remains fluid, students in affected regions, particularly Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh, should prioritize safety by adhering to government guidelines. The Indian government has called for calm and urged citizens to avoid spreading unverified information. ICAI’s focus on student safety reflects the broader national effort to navigate this challenging period.
