The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued a revised schedule for a key examination. The Chartered Accountants (CA) Intermediate Group 2, Paper 5, focusing on Auditing and Ethics, will now be held on January 31, 2026 . This paper was originally slated for January 19, 2026 . The change directly impacts all students registered for this specific exam, both within India and at international examination centers. Students should adjust their study plans to reflect this new date.
Details of the Revised Schedule
ICAI formally announced this postponement following an initial communication issued on January 17. The Auditing and Ethics paper will now take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The examination will maintain its original time slot, running from 2 pm to 5 pm (IST) . All examination centers previously assigned to candidates will remain unchanged for this rescheduled paper. Furthermore, the admit cards already issued to students for the January 19 date will be honored. Candidates do not need to download new admit cards for Paper 5 due to this date change. They should ensure they bring their existing valid admit card to the examination hall.
Impact of Public Holidays
ICAI has provided explicit clarification regarding potential public holidays. The institute confirmed that the examination schedule will not be altered under any circumstances, even if an examination day is declared a public holiday. This policy applies uniformly across holidays declared by the Central Government, various state governments, or local authorities. An official statement from ICAI reiterated this, emphasizing that "there would be no change in the examination schedule in the event of any day of the examination scheduled being declared a Public Holiday." This firm stance aims to prevent further disruptions and provides certainty to students.
CA Foundation Exams Unchanged
It is important for students to note that the revised schedule exclusively applies to the CA Intermediate Group 2, Paper 5. The remaining papers for the Chartered Accountants Foundation January 2026 examination will proceed exactly as planned. These Foundation exams are scheduled for January 20, January 22, and January 24, 2026 . Candidates appearing for the Foundation level papers should continue to follow their original examination timetables and preparation strategies without any adjustments. Their previously issued admit cards are also valid for these specific dates.
Downloading Your Admit Card
For students who still need to download their admit cards or wish to verify details, the process is straightforward and accessible online. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of ICAI. The web address is icai.org .
- Look for the dedicated link labeled "Admit Card" for the CA Intermediate examination. This link is typically prominent on the homepage or within the ‘Examinations’ section.
- You will be directed to a login page. Here, enter your unique registration number and your correct date of birth as recorded with ICAI.
- After accurately entering your credentials, click the ‘Submit’ or ‘Login’ button to access your personalized admit card.
- Once your admit card is displayed, download it to your device. It is crucial to take a clear printout of the admit card. This physical copy must be presented at the examination center on the day of your exam.
Key Dates Summary for Students
| Exam Paper | Original Date | Revised Date | Exam Time (IST) | Admit Card Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Intermediate Group 2, Paper 5 (Auditing and Ethics) | January 19, 2026 | January 31, 2026 | 2 pm – 5 pm | Existing cards remain valid |
| CA Foundation January 2026 (Remaining Papers) | January 20, 22, 24, 2026 | No Change | As per original schedule | Existing cards remain valid |
ICAI advises all candidates to regularly check the official institute website. This ensures they stay informed about any further examination-related announcements or updates leading up to the exam dates.