ICAI Announces CA Final Exams to be Held Three Times a Year Starting 2025

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a major shift in its examination schedule, which will bring relief to CA Final students. Chartered Accountancy (CA) Final aspirants will now get three chances a year to appear for their exams. The decision was taken during ICAI’s 441st Council Meeting held in New Delhi on March 27.

The official statement said, "In order to align with global best practices and provide students with greater opportunities, the 26th Council of the ICAI has taken a historic decision to hold the CA Final exam three times a year. This examination was being held twice a year. Now, all three levels CA Final, Intermediate and Foundation, will have an equal number of attempts each year, providing students more opportunities to sit in the exam. These exams will be held in the month of January, May and September.”

This brings the Final course in line with the Intermediate and Foundation levels, which were already moved to a thrice-a-year schedule last year. All three levels of the Chartered Accountancy course will now follow the same timeline.

ICIA, in an official statement, said, "To stay in sync with international best practices and provide students with additional chances, the 26th Council of ICAI has taken a historic decision to hold the CA Final examination thrice a year. Earlier, the examination was held twice a year,".

CA Exam Schedule

ICAI said that this schedule will offer more flexibility for students and improve the pace at which they can complete the course. The CA Final exams will now be held in:

• January
• May
• September

ICAI has also revised the schedule for the Post Qualification Course in Information Systems Audit.

• Previously held twice annually in June and December
• The assessment test will now be conducted in February, June, and October.

ICAI will be conducting CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final examinations in May 2025.

Charanjot Singh Nanda, President of ICAI, said, “These epoch-making decisions will significantly benefit both students and members, offering them enhanced opportunities for success. This move marks a new era in the way we support and guide our future Chartered Accountants. ICAI is working 24/7 for the growth of its members and students. This historic decision will ensure that both students and professionals have abundant opportunities to excel in their careers.”

The move is expected to ease the exam journey for candidates, offering more opportunities within the same academic cycle.

With over 10 lakh students and 4 lakh members, ICAI is the largest professional accountancy body in the world. ICAI has a wide network of 5 Regional Councils and 177 Branches within India and a global presence with 52 Overseas Chapters and 33 Representative Offices spanning 85 cities across 47 Countries worldwide.