ICAI CA Final Exam Dates January 2026 Released, Complete Exam Schedule

ICAI announced CA Final exam dates Jan 2026. Group I: 5th, 7th, 9th Jan & Group II: 11th, 13th, 16th Jan across India & international centres.

The CA Final Exam is not just another test—it’s the final milestone of your Chartered Accountancy journey. If you are preparing for the CA Final Jan 2026 attempt, keeping track of the official schedule is very important. ICAI has now released the detailed timetable for both Group I and Group II exams, helping students plan their preparation better.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the CA Final Jan 2026 exams—group-wise dates, paper timings, admit card updates, exam pattern, and other key guidelines. So, if you’re aiming to clear CA Final this attempt, this guide will help you stay fully prepared.

Overview of CA Final Exam 2026

The CA Final Exam is conducted three times a year — in May, September, and January— by ICAI. It is the third and final level of the Chartered Accountancy course and consists of two groups with four papers each. Only those candidates who have completed the CA Intermediate exam and the required articleship training are eligible to apply for the CA Final exam.

Highlights of CA Final

Particular Details
Conducting Body Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
Level CA Final (Third level of CA)
Attempt Session January 2026
Number of Groups 2 (Group I & Group II)
Number of Papers 6 Papers (3 in each group)
Exam Mode Offline (Pen and Paper Based)
Official Website www.icai.org

Enroll Now for CA Final Courses

CA Final Exam Date: Jan 2026

Here is the official exam schedule for the CA Final January 2026 attempt:

Group Paper No Subject Name Exam Dates
Group 1 Paper 1 Financial Reporting 5th Jan 2026
Group 1 Paper 2 Advanced Financial Management 7th Jan 2026
Group 1 Paper 3 Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics 9th Jan 2026
Group 2 Paper 4 Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation 11th Jan 2026
Group 2 Paper 5 Indirect Tax Laws 13th Jan 2026
Group 2 Paper 6 Integrated Business Solutions
(Multi-Disciplinary Case Study With Strategic Management)		 16th Jan 2026

Paper Timings and Duration

All CA Final papers are conducted in a single shift. Below is the general timing pattern followed by ICAI:

  • Exam Timing: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
  • Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
  • Paper Type: Descriptive and case study-based (open-book for Paper 6; Duration is 4 hours)

Students are advised to report at least 30 minutes before the exam to avoid last-minute issues.

When will ICAI release the CA Final Exam Date for Jan 2026?

ICAI generally releases the exam notification and detailed timetable around 2–3 months before the exam. For the Jan 2026 session, you can check the ICAI CA Final exam dates released by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India on the official website, which is icai.org.

Notification Release Date:
23rd Sept 2025

You will find the exam timetable and other important updates on ICAI’s official website—www.icai.org. 

Admit Card Release for CA Final Jan 2026

ICAI will release the CA Final Jaunary 2026 admit card around 15–20 days before the exam, likely in the last week of December 2025.

  • Tentative Admit Card Release Date: Last week of Dec 2025
  • Mode of Release: Online (Download from ICAI Self-Service Portal)
  • Website: eservices.icai.org

Details mentioned on the CA Final Admit Card 2026

  • Candidate’s Name
  • Photograph and Signature
  • Exam Center Address
  • Group opted
  • Paper-wise Subject Codes
  • Exam Timings
  • Instructions for exam day

It is mandatory to carry a printed copy of your admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam center.

Exam Form and Fee (Tentative)

Before appearing for the CA Final Sept 2025 exam, candidates must fill out the exam form on the ICAI exam portal. Although the form dates are not released yet, you can expect the following schedule:

Event Tentative Dates
Opening of Exam Form November 2025
Last Date Without Late Fee End of November 2025
Last Date With Late Fee Early December 2025

Exam Form Fees

Category Single Groups Both groups
Indian Students ₹1,800 ₹3,300
Overseas Students $325 $550

The exam form must be filled out online through ICAI's self-service portal. Make sure to double-check your details before final submission.

Syllabus and Exam Pattern (As per New Scheme)

The CA Final Jan 2026 exam will be held under the New Scheme of Education and Training introduced by ICAI in 2023. It has brought certain changes in the number of papers and the evaluation structure.

Group I Subjects (New Scheme)

  • Financial Reporting
  • Advanced Financial Management
  • Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics

Group II Subjects (New Scheme)

  • Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation
  • Indirect Tax Laws
  • Integrated Business Solutions 

Key Changes in New Scheme:

  • Reduction in total number of papers from 8 to 6 in earlier drafts (now reverted to 8 with restructuring).
  • A case study-based approach was introduced in Papers 6 & Paper 8.
  • Focus on practical applicability and analytical skills.
  • Introduction of open-book format for some papers.

Preparation Strategy Based on Exam Dates

Here are some tips to align your preparation with the tentative CA Final exam schedule:

  • Start with strong subjects: Begin preparation with your strongest subjects to build confidence.
  • Revise Regularly: Set revision targets every 30 days and cover the entire syllabus at least 3 times.
  • Mock Tests: Attempt ICAI’s mock test papers before the final exam.
  • Focus on RTPs and MTPs: These give an idea of the expected question formats.
  • Open Book Paper Practice: If you have chosen Paper 6, practice answering case studies using reference materials.

Guidelines for Exam Day

  • Reach the exam center at least 30-45 minutes before the reporting time.
  • Carry your admit card and a valid photo ID (Aadhar card, Passport, etc.)
  • Bring only permitted stationery. Use black ink pens.
  • Mobile phones, smartwatches, or electronic devices are strictly prohibited.
  • Follow the COVID or any health protocol, if applicable, during that time.

What is after the CA Final Exam?

After passing the CA final exam, candidates are eligible to become Chartered Accountants (CAs) in India. They can then pursue various career paths, including joining accounting firms, starting their own practices, or working in diverse industries.

Summary

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially released the exam schedule for the CA Jan 2025 session, encompassing the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final courses. Candidates can access the detailed timetable and application guidelines on the ICAI's official website, icai.org. This announcement enables aspirants to plan their preparation effectively for the upcoming examinations.

FAQs

What are the official CA Final exam dates for January 2026?

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced the CA Final exam dates for the January 2026 attempt. Group I exams will be held on 5th, 7th, and 9th January 2026, while Group II exams are scheduled for 11th, 13th, and 16th January 2026. These exams will be conducted across multiple centres in India as well as select international locations. Students must check their admit cards for the allotted exam centre and reporting details.

How many groups are there in the CA Final exam and what papers do they include?

The CA Final exam is divided into two groups, each consisting of four papers. Group I includes Financial Reporting, Advanced Financial Management, and Advanced Auditing & Professional Ethics, while Group II covers Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation, Indirect Tax Laws, and Integrated Business Solutions (case-study based). Students can appear for either one group or both groups in the same attempt, depending on their preparation level.

What is the exam timing for CA Final Jan 2026?

All CA Final papers (except Paper 6, which is case-study based) will be conducted from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, making the duration 3 hours. Paper 6 (Integrated Business Solutions) will follow an open-book pattern and may have a slightly extended duration of 4 hours. Students are advised to reach their exam centre at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled start time to avoid last-minute stress.

When will the admit card for CA Final Jan 2026 be released?

The ICAI usually releases admit cards 15–20 days before the first exam date. For the January 2026 attempt, admit cards are expected to be available by the last week of December 2025. Students can download their admit cards from the ICAI Self-Service Portal using their registration/login details. The admit card will contain details such as exam centre address, exam dates, roll number, and important instructions.

What is the eligibility to appear for CA Final January 2026?

To be eligible for the CA Final exam, candidates must have:

  • Cleared both groups of the CA Intermediate exam.
  • Completed the required articleship training (or be in the last six months of training at the time of appearing).
  • Registered for the CA Final course with ICAI and completed the required study period.
  • Without fulfilling these requirements, a candidate cannot appear for the CA Final January 2026 exams.

How can I apply for the CA Final Jan 2026 exams?

The exam application form will be available on the ICAI official exam portal. Candidates must log in, fill out the online exam form, select their group(s), choose the exam centre, and pay the applicable exam fee. The last date to apply without a late fee will be announced by ICAI in the notification. Candidates are also given a short correction window to make changes in exam centres or medium of examination after submitting the form.

What is the exam fee for CA Final January 2026?

The CA Final exam form fee varies depending on the number of groups chosen and the exam centre location:

  • For Indian centres: ₹1,800 for one group and ₹3,300 for both groups.
  • For Overseas centres: US$ 325 for one group and US$ 550 for both groups.
  • For Kathmandu centre: ₹3,400 for both groups.
  • The fee must be paid online during the exam form submission process.

What is the syllabus and exam pattern for CA Final Jan 2026?

The CA Final exam will be conducted under the New Education and Training Scheme introduced in 2023. The exam has two groups with six papers in total (some papers have been restructured). The exam pattern includes both descriptive questions and case-study-based analysis to test conceptual clarity and practical application. Paper 6 is open-book, making it different from traditional exams. Students should refer to the official ICAI syllabus for detailed coverage.

How should I prepare for CA Final Jan 2026 based on the exam dates?

Since the exam is scheduled in early January, students must plan their revision timeline carefully. Ideally, one should complete the first round of revision by November 2025, the second round by mid-December 2025, and keep the last 15 days for final quick revision and mock test practice. Solving ICAI’s RTPs (Revision Test Papers), MTPs (Mock Test Papers), and previous year’s question papers is highly recommended to understand the exam pattern and boost confidence.

What happens after clearing the CA Final January 2026 exams?

After successfully passing both groups of the CA Final exam and completing the articleship training, candidates become eligible to be designated as Chartered Accountants (CAs). ICAI then conducts a convocation ceremony for new members. Post-qualification, CAs can choose various career paths such as working with top accounting firms, starting their own practice, joining the corporate sector, or exploring international opportunities.