The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a change to the schedule of the chartered accountant (CA) final examination, which will now be held three times a year.
Previously conducted biannually, the CA final exam will now be available in January, May, and September.
This decision aligns with global best practices and aims to provide students with more opportunities to take the exam, the institute noted.
This change follows the decision made in 2024, to increase the frequency of the intermediate and foundation course exams to three times annually.
The announcement was made during the All India Managing Committee Members Meet (AIMCMM 2024) in Kolkata, under the theme ‘DRISHTI – the vision for the Profession’.
With the inclusion of the CA final, all three levels of the CA examination—final, intermediate, and foundation—will now offer equal chances for candidates to appear throughout the year.
This adjustment is expected to provide greater flexibility and accessibility for students pursuing their CA qualifications.
ICAI president Charanjot Singh Nanda said: “These epoch-making decisions will significantly benefit both students and members, offering them enhanced opportunities for success. This move marks a new era in the way we support and guide our future chartered accountants.
“ICAI is working 24/7 for the growth of its members and students. This historic decision will ensure that both students and professionals have abundant opportunities to excel in their careers.”
In addition, the post qualification course in information systems audit is also undergoing a transformation.
The assessment test for this course, previously held in June and December, will now be conducted in February, June, and October, further increasing access for professionals.
Earlier in March 2025, ICAI released a handbook on writs to bolster CAs’ understanding of writs within the Indian legal framework.
The handbook serves as a guide for professionals dealing with taxation, compliance, and corporate governance issues.
ICAI is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
The institute has a membership of 400,000 and a student base of one million.
It operates through five Regional Councils and 177 Branches in India, with a global network consisting of 52 Overseas Chapters and 33 Representative Offices across 47 countries.
