ICAI announces Sept–Nov 2026 CA exam timetable, centres, fees & application process
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has issued an important notification fixing the dates, exam timings, centres and fee structure for the Chartered Accountants Foundation, Intermediate and Final Examinations scheduled in September and November 2026, along with the members’ Post Qualification Course examinations in International Taxation – Assessment Test (INTT – AT) and Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) Technical Examination.
The announcement, issued under Regulation 22 of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988, clarifies that all examinations will be held only if an adequate number of candidates opt for a particular centre/city. The schedule also emphasizes that no change in exam dates will be made even if any of the notified days is subsequently declared a public or local holiday.
Exam schedule for Sept–Nov 2026
Intermediate Course Examination (New Scheme under Regulation 28F)
As per the scheme notified by the Council under Regulation 28 F of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988, the Intermediate Course Examinations will be held in September 2026 as under:
Group I
- 1st September 2026
- 3rd September 2026
- 6th September 2026
Group II
- 8th September 2026
- 10th September 2026
- 12th September 2026
Foundation Course Examination (Regulation 25F scheme)
The Foundation Course Examination, in accordance with the syllabus notified under Regulation 25 F of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988, will be conducted in early September 2026 on the following days:
- 2nd September 2026
- 5th September 2026
- 7th September 2026
- 9th September 2026
Final Course Examination (Regulation 31 scheme)
The Final Course Examination, framed under Regulation 31 of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988, is scheduled in November 2026, group-wise as under:
Group I
- 2nd November 2026
- 4th November 2026
- 6th November 2026
Group II
- 9th November 2026
- 11th November 2026
- 13th November 2026
Members’ Post Qualification Course Examinations
For members of the Institute, ICAI has also notified the dates for the following Post Qualification Course Examinations, to be conducted in November 2026:
INTERNATIONAL TAXATION – ASSESSMENT TEST (INTT – AT)
- 11th November 2026
- 13th November 2026
INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT (IRM) TECHNICAL EXAMINATION
- Modules I to IV will be held on:
- 6th November 2026
- 9th November 2026
- 11th November 2026
- 13th November 2026
- Modules I to IV will be held on:
Note: The above dates are final and will remain unchanged even if any of these days is declared a Public Holiday by the Central Government, any State Government or local authority.
Paper-wise duration and exam timings
ICAI has specified the duration and timing of each paper, distinguishing between 2-hour, 3-hour and 4-hour examinations.
Foundation Examination – Duration & timing
Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST)
- Duration: 3 hours
Paper 3 and Paper 4
- Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (IST)
- Duration: 2 hours
In Paper 3 and Paper 4 of Foundation, there will be no advance reading time.
Intermediate Course Examination – Duration & timing
- All Intermediate papers
- Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST)
- Duration: 3 hours
Final Course Examination – Duration & timing
Paper 1 to Paper 5
- Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST)
- Duration: 3 hours
Paper 6
- Time: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (IST)
- Duration: 4 hours
Post Qualification Course Examinations – Duration & timing
International Taxation – Assessment Test (INTT – AT)
- All papers:
- Time: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (IST)
- Duration: 4 hours
- All papers:
Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) Technical Examination
- All papers (Modules I–IV):
- Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (IST)
- Duration: 3 hours
- All papers (Modules I–IV):
Advance reading time
Advance reading time of 15 minutes (from 1:45 PM to 2:00 PM IST) will be provided for:
- All Foundation papers except Paper 3 and Paper 4
- All Intermediate papers
- Final Papers 1 to 6
- IRM Technical Examination papers
No advance reading time will be given for:
- Foundation Paper 3
- Foundation Paper 4
- All papers of
International Taxation – Assessment Test (INTT – AT)
Examination centres – India
The September/November 2026 CA Examinations will be conducted across a wide network of Indian cities. Centres will be operational only if a sufficient number of candidates register from each location. ICAI has reserved the right to withdraw any centre if warranted.
Below is the list of cities state-wise: