The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) commenced its CA Intermediate 2026 January session exams today, January 5, 2026 . Examinations began at 2 pm. This marks the start of the examination period for registered candidates.
Candidates must download their CA Inter admit cards from the official website, icai.org. Login requires a valid ID and password. The admit card is mandatory for entry into the examination centre.
ICAI CA Intermediate January 2026 Examination Schedule
The ICAI CA Intermediate January 2026 exams will run on specific dates throughout the month. The full examination schedule includes dates on January 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 17 . Over 290 centres across the country will host these exams.
The examination divides into two distinct groups. Group 1 papers are scheduled for January 6, 8, and 10 . Group 2 papers will take place on January 12, 15, and 17 .
Today, January 5, 2026 , candidates sit for Paper 1, Advanced Accounting. This paper is scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm. Candidates must report to their assigned examination centre at least one hour before the scheduled start time for each paper.
| Group | Subject | Exam Date | Exam Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Advanced Accounting | January 6 | 2 pm to 5 pm |
| Corporate and Other Laws | January 8 | 2 pm to 5 pm | |
| Taxation: Section A: Income-Tax Law; Section B: Goods and Services Tax (GST) | January 10 | 2 pm to 5 pm | |
| Group 2 | Cost and Management Accounting | January 12 | 2 pm to 5 pm |
| Auditing and Ethics | January 15 | 2 pm to 5 pm | |
| Financial Management and Strategic Management: Section A: Financial Management; Section B: Strategic Management | January 17 | 2 pm to 5 pm |
Updated Examination Pattern for CA Intermediate
ICAI implemented significant changes to the CA Intermediate examination pattern. These revisions came into effect starting from the May 2024 examinations. The new structure applies to all CA Intermediate papers.
Each paper now includes a section of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). These objective-type questions contribute 30 marks to the total score for each paper. This represents a 30% weightage within the overall assessment.
The remaining 70 marks in each paper are allocated to descriptive questions. This section follows the established pattern of assessment. Objective-type questions appear strictly in MCQ format.
Individual MCQs carry either 1 mark or 2 marks. A key feature of the updated pattern is the absence of negative marking. Candidates face no penalty for incorrect answers in the objective section. This affects test-taking approaches.
Important Instructions for Exam Day
- Admit Card: Download and print your ICAI CA Intermediate admit card from icai.org. Present this document for entry.
- Reporting Time: Arrive at your designated examination centre a minimum of one hour before the exam starts. Punctuality is essential.
- Identification: Ensure you carry a valid photo identification along with your admit card. This may be checked at the entry point.
- Exam Duration: All papers are scheduled for a three-hour duration, from 2 pm to 5 pm.
- Exam Centres: Confirm your specific exam centre location and plan your travel accordingly. Examinations are held across more than 290 centres.