The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has approved a major change in the Chartered Accountant (CA) Final examination pattern, reducing the frequency of exams from three times a year to two attempts annually.
CA Final Exams Now Twice a Year
As per the new decision:
- Exams will now be conducted only in May and November
- Earlier schedule included January, May, and September sessions
- The revised pattern will be effective from May 2026 onwards
Decision Based on Stakeholder Feedback
ICAI stated that the change comes after:
- Receiving multiple suggestions from stakeholders
- Reviewing concerns related to exam frequency and preparation pressure
Aim: Better Preparation & Efficient Management
The move is intended to:
- Give students more time for preparation
- Reduce academic stress caused by frequent exams
- Improve exam management, evaluation, and result processing
Official Notification Issued
The update was formally communicated by:
- Anand Kumar Chaturvedi
He confirmed that the new schedule will continue in future cycles as well.
Experts See Positive Impact
Experts believe the change will:
- Help students plan studies more effectively
- Ensure better quality assessment and transparency
- Streamline the overall examination system
64th Campus Placement Drive Begins
Meanwhile, ICAI has also launched its:
- 64th Campus Placement Programme for newly qualified CAs
Key highlights:
- Participation from top companies across sectors
- Recruitment drives in cities like
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Kolkata
- Hyderabad
- Pune
- Ahmedabad
- Jaipur
- Interviews scheduled between April 6 and April 17, 2026
ICAI has also introduced a standardised orientation programme covering:
- Placement process
- Career opportunities
- Employer expectations
- Interview preparation
