CA Final Exam Dates May 2026 (Out), ICAI Complete Schedule

The official CA Final Exam Dates for the May 2026 session have been confirmed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Aspiring Chartered Accountants must mark their calendars for May 2 to May 12, 2026, as this attempt serves as a critical milestone under the ICAI New Scheme.

The transition to the New Scheme of Education and Training has streamlined the CA Final journey into six core papers. For the May 2026 attempt, the ICAI maintains its rigorous standards while ensuring a balanced gap between papers to allow students adequate revision time.

All examinations will follow a standard afternoon slot to maintain uniformity across national and international centers.

Note: Paper 6 is a four-hour paper because it involves extensive case-study analysis across multiple domains. Ensure your preparation accounts for this increased duration.

Success in the CA Final is as much about administrative compliance as it is about academic brilliance. Missing a deadline on the SSP Portal can cost you a six-month attempt.

• Registration Deadline: You must be registered for the Final course by January 1, 2026, to be eligible for the May attempt.
• Exam Form Window: The window opens on March 3, 2026.
• Submission Deadline (Standard): March 16, 2026.
• Submission Deadline (Late Fee): March 19, 2026 (requires a ₹600 penalty).
• Correction Window (Phase-I): March 20–22, 2026. This is your only chance to change your exam city, group, or medium (English/Hindi).

Under the New Scheme, the eligibility roadmap has become more structured. To sit for the May 2026 exams, candidates must satisfy the following “Checklist of Four”:

1. Intermediate Qualification: You must have cleared both groups of the CA Intermediate examination.
2. Practical Training (Articleship): You must have completed the mandatory 2-year practical training period as prescribed by the ICAI.
3. The SPOM Requirement: This is the most crucial update. Candidates must complete and pass the Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM) Set A (Corporate & Economic Laws) and Set B (Strategic Cost & Performance Management) on the ICAI digital learning hub before they can even apply for the exam.
4. Advanced ICITSS: Completion of the Advanced Information Technology and Soft Skills Course is mandatory before appearing for the final exams.

The registration process is now fully digitized through the Self Service Portal (SSP). Follow these steps to ensure a glitch-free application:

• Step 1: Log in to your SSP account using your Student Registration Number (SRN) and password.
• Step 2: Navigate to the “Student Cycle” and select “Final Course Registration.”
• Step 3: Update your profile. Ensure your Photo and Signature meet the ICAI’s specific dimensions (clear background, no selfies).
• Step 4: Upload your CA Intermediate pass certificates for both groups.
• Step 5: Pay the registration fee and download the acknowledgement receipt.

The ICAI offers a structured fee format based on the number of groups you intend to appear for:

Late submissions within the 3-day buffer window will incur a flat ₹600 surcharge.

The ICAI does not send physical admit cards by post. The CA Final Admit Card May 2026 is expected to be released around April 18, 2026.

Steps to Download:

1. Visit eservices.icai.org.
2. Click on the ‘Admit Card’ link for May 2026.
3. Enter your Registration Number and Date of Birth.
4. Print the admit card in colour (preferred) and ensure your photograph and signature are clearly visible.

If there is an error in your name or center, contact the ICAI helpline (0120 3054 851/852) immediately.

To align with global accounting standards, the ICAI has shifted toward an application-based assessment.

• Objective Assessment (30%): Every paper will have 30 marks worth of MCQs. These are usually case-scenario based, testing your ability to apply law or accounting standards to real-life situations.
• Subjective Assessment (70%): The remaining 70 marks require detailed descriptive answers.
• Negative Marking: There is no negative marking in the CA Final New Scheme MCQs as of the May 2026 guidelines.
• Passing Marks: 40% in each individual paper and a total aggregate of 50% across the group.

Under the New Scheme of Education and Training, the ICAI has streamlined the examination into six core papers. To ensure absolute transparency and help you plan your revision cycles, we have compiled the officially verified dates and timings below. Please note that while most papers follow a 3-hour slot, the multidisciplinary Paper 6 requires an extended duration for case-study analysis.

Group I

• Paper 1: Financial Reporting (FR): Focuses heavily on the practical application of Ind AS. Key areas include Business Combinations, Consolidation, and Financial Instruments.
• Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management (AFM): Covers Strategic Financial Decisions. Expect heavy weightage on Derivatives, International Financial Management, and Portfolio Management.
• Paper 3: Advanced Auditing & Professional Ethics: Includes Digital Auditing and Forensic Accounting, along with traditional Standards on Auditing (SAs).

Group II

• Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation: Significant focus on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), Transfer Pricing, and Assessment Procedures.
• Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws (IDT): Primarily GST (Goods and Services Tax), with a smaller portion dedicated to Customs and FTP (Foreign Trade Policy).
• Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions: This is a Multi-disciplinary Case Study paper. It is an Open Book Exam where you can bring your ICAI study materials. It tests your ability to solve a single case using knowledge from all five previous papers.

1. SPOM Early: Complete your Self-Paced Online Modules by late 2025. Don’t leave them for 2026, as they are a prerequisite for filling out the exam form.
2. RTPs and MTPs: ICAI’s Revision Test Papers (RTP) and Mock Test Papers (MTP) are the best indicators of the exam’s difficulty level. Solve at least two years’ worth of papers.
3. Concept Mapping: For Paper 6, create a cross-reference index. Since it is open-book, knowing where the information is located is more important than memorizing it.
4. Statutory Updates: For DT and IDT, ensure you are following the Finance Act applicable for May 2026 (typically Finance Act 2025).

The expected CA Final May 2026 result date falls in the first or second week of July 2026. You can check your results on icai.nic.in. If you are unsatisfied with your marks, you can apply for “Verification of Marks” or “Inspection of Certified Copies” within 30 days of the result declaration through the SSP portal.

The May 2026 attempt is your gateway to becoming a Chartered Accountant. With the New Scheme’s emphasis on integrated learning, starting your preparation early and staying updated with the CA Final Exam Dates is paramount. Focus on conceptual clarity, master the SPOM modules, and approach the multidisciplinary paper with a holistic business mindset.