The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) commenced its Chartered Accountancy (CA) Final January 2026 examination session today, January 5, 2026 . Candidates registered for this session must download their admit cards from the official ICAI website, icai.org . Access requires a valid ID and password login.
Paper 1, Financial Reporting, is the first examination today. It begins at 2 pm IST and concludes at 5 pm IST . Candidates must report to their assigned CA Final examination center at least one hour before the examination starts.
Key Examination Dates and Structure
The ICAI CA Final January 2026 examination takes place on six distinct days throughout January. The full schedule spans January 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16, 2026 . The examination divides into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2.
- Group 1 examinations are scheduled for January 5, January 7, and January 9 .
- Group 2 examinations will follow on January 11, January 13, and January 16 .
Admit Card and Center Guidelines
Possession of a valid ICAI CA admit card is mandatory for entry into the examination center. Examination centers will deny entry to candidates without this document. Candidates should download and print their admit card well in advance.
The ICAI conducts the CA Final January 2026 examination at over 290 centers across India. This wide network ensures accessibility for candidates nationwide. Specific center details are available on the admit card.
Entry and Exit Regulations
Candidates may enter the examination hall up to 15 minutes after the scheduled start of each paper. After this 15-minute grace period, no candidate will receive permission to enter. Additionally, candidates are not permitted to leave the examination hall until the specific CA examination paper concludes. Adherence to these strict timings is crucial for all examinees.
Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions
ICAI introduced Paper 6, Integrated Business Solutions (Multidisciplinary Case Study with Strategic Management), into the CA Final course from the May 2024 session. This paper distinguishes itself by being conducted in an open-book format. It requires candidates to apply strategic management concepts to multidisciplinary case studies.
Detailed Examination Timings
The examination timings vary slightly based on the center’s geographical location. Candidates must note the specific timings for their registered center to avoid discrepancies. Papers 1-5 have a duration of three hours, while Paper 6 extends to four hours due to its case study nature.
| CA Final – Exam Centre | Exam Timings (Papers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) | Exam Timings (Paper 6) |
|---|---|---|
| All Domestic Centres (India) | 2 pm to 5 pm (IST) | 2 pm to 6 pm (IST) |
| Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat | 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm (UAE local time) | 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm (UAE local time) |
| Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, Riyadh | 11:30 am to 2:30 pm (Local time) | 11:30 am to 3:30 pm (Local time) |
| Kathmandu | 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm (Local time) | 2:15 pm to 6:15 pm (Local time) |
| Thimpu (Bhutan) | 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm (Local time) | 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm (Local time) |
Complete CA Final January 2026 Schedule
Candidates should verify their individual subject schedule against the complete examination timetable released by ICAI. This ensures proper preparation and punctuality for each paper.
| CA Subject Name | Exam Date |
|---|---|
| Paper 1: Financial Reporting | January 5, 2026 |
| Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management | January 7, 2026 |
| Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics | January 9, 2026 |
| Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation | January 11, 2026 |
| Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws | January 13, 2026 |
| Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions | January 16, 2026 |
ICAI mandates strict adherence to all examination guidelines. Candidates must ensure they understand and follow all instructions provided on their admit card and by center officials. This ensures a smooth examination experience for everyone involved.