The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has opened registration for its Chartered Accountant (CA) January 2026 exams. Candidates can now apply online for Foundation, Intermediate, and Final programmes. The registration process began on November 3, 2025 , and is accessible through the official website, eservices.icai.org.
Students must submit their applications by November 16, 2025 , to avoid late fees. A grace period allows submissions with an additional late fee until November 19, 2025 . The ICAI oversees these examinations, which are crucial for individuals pursuing a career as a Chartered Accountant in India.
Important Registration and Exam Dates
The ICAI has published a detailed timeline for the January 2026 session. Adhering to these deadlines is essential for all applicants.
| Event | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Online exam form submission (without late fee) | November 3 – 16, 2025 |
| Online exam form submission (with late fee) | November 17 – 19, 2025 |
| Application correction window | November 20 – 22, 2025 |
The application correction window allows candidates to rectify errors in their submitted forms. This facility will be available from November 20 to November 22, 2025 . Candidates should review their applications carefully after submission.
January 2026 Exam Schedule Overview
The examinations for the CA January 2026 session are scheduled across several days in January 2026. Dates vary by course and group.
| Course | Group | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Final | Group I | January 5, 7, and 9, 2026 |
| Final | Group II | January 11, 13, and 16, 2026 |
| Intermediate | Group I | January 6, 8, and 10, 2026 |
| Intermediate | Group II | January 12, 15, and 17, 2026 |
| Foundation | – | January 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026 |
The Foundation exam will occur over four dates: January 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026. Intermediate Group I exams are scheduled for January 6, 8, and 10. Intermediate Group II exams are on January 12, 15, and 17. Final Group I exams will be held on January 5, 7, and 9. Final Group II exams are set for January 11, 13, and 16, 2026.
How to Register for the CA January 2026 Exams
The application process for the ICAI CA January 2026 session is entirely online. Applicants must follow these steps to successfully register:
- Access the official ICAI website for services: eservices.icai.org .
- Either log in using existing user credentials or create a new user account if registering for the first time.
- Navigate to the exam selection section. Choose the specific exam program: Foundation, Intermediate, or Final.
- Complete the online application form. This involves providing personal information, selecting the desired exam city, and choosing the medium of the exam (e.g., English or Hindi).
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents. Ensure these documents meet the specified format and size requirements.
- Proceed to the payment gateway to pay the examination fee. Various online payment methods are typically accepted.
- Review all entered information for accuracy. Submit the application form only after verification.
- Download and print the confirmation page. Keep this page for future reference and record-keeping.
Exam Day Information
The ICAI provides a 15-minute advance reading time for most papers. This reading period is set from 1:45 PM to 2:00 PM before the main exam begins.
This advance reading time applies to the majority of papers. However, it does not include Foundation Papers 3 and 4. The provision also excludes Post Qualification Course papers. Candidates should note these exceptions to prepare adequately for their specific examinations.