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ICAI Announces Schedule for January 2026 CA Exams

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced the timetable for the CA January 2026 exams, covering Final, Intermediate, and Foundation courses. The exams will take place from January 5 to January 24, 2026. Registration opens on November 3, 2025, with deadlines for applications and late fees outlined. This exam cycle is crucial for students, providing additional opportunities for those who need to retake exams. The detailed schedule includes specific dates for each course and highlights the importance of preparation time between exams. Students are encouraged to download the timetable from the ICAI website to plan their studies effectively.
By Ambika Singh Sep 25, 2025, 12:00 IST

Overview of the CA January 2026 Exam Schedule


The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has unveiled the timetable for the upcoming CA January 2026 examinations. This schedule encompasses the Final, Intermediate, and Foundation courses, and students can access the full details on the ICAI website icai.org. The examinations are set to commence on January 5, 2026, and will conclude on January 24, 2026.


Application Process and Important Dates

The online registration for the January 2026 exams is anticipated to start on November 3, 2025. Candidates can submit their applications without incurring a late fee until November 16, 2025. Those who miss this deadline will still have the opportunity to apply with a late fee until November 19, 2025.


All applications must be submitted through the official ICAI portal, along with the required fees paid online.


Detailed Exam Schedule

Final Course



  • Group I: January 5, 7, and 9, 2026


  • Group II: January 11, 13, and 16, 2026



Intermediate Course



  • Group I: January 6, 8, and 10, 2026


  • Group II: January 12, 15, and 17, 2026



Foundation Course



  • Exams will take place on January 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026



Additional Exams



  • International Taxation Assessment Test (INTT-AT): January 13 and 16, 2026


  • Insurance & Risk Management (IRM) Technical Exams: January 9, 11, 13, and 16, 2026



Exam Duration and Timing


  • Most CA exam papers will last for 3 hours.


  • Foundation papers 3 and 4 will each be 2 hours long.


  • The Final Course Paper 6 and the International Taxation Assessment Test (INTT-AT) will be 4-hour papers.


  • All exams will occur in a single afternoon session, generally from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with some extending to 6:00 PM based on the subject.



Steps to Download the Exam Schedule

Students can view and download the ICAI CA January 2026 exam timetable by following these steps:



  1. Visit the official website icai.org.


  2. Go to the “Latest Announcements” section on the homepage.


  3. Click on the exam schedule link.


  4. The complete date sheet will be displayed on the screen.


  5. Download and save it for future reference.



Key Highlights of the Exam Cycle


  • The exams will take place over a span of three weeks, allowing for sufficient breaks between major papers.


  • ICAI has strategically arranged the exams to provide students with preparation time between subjects.


  • The foundation papers will encompass topics such as accounting, law, mathematics, and business economics, while intermediate and final papers will focus on taxation, auditing, advanced accounting, corporate laws, and specialized electives.



Importance of the January 2026 Exam Cycle

The January 2026 attempt holds significant importance for many candidates because:



  • It offers an additional exam cycle beyond the May and November sessions, aiding students in optimizing their preparation time.


  • Candidates who were unable to pass previous attempts will have another opportunity within the same academic year.


  • This expansion of exam opportunities reflects ICAI’s commitment to enhancing flexibility and accessibility in professional education.



Final Thoughts

With the ICAI CA January 2026 exams scheduled from January 5 to 24, candidates now have a clear timeline for their preparation. It is advisable for students to note the critical dates, complete the application process promptly, and utilize the structured breaks between exams to enhance their performance.


The official date sheet is now available on the ICAI portal, promoting transparency and assisting students in effectively planning their study schedules.