ICAI CA January 2026 Exam Dates Out: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final from January 5 to 24
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially released the timetable for the CA January 2026 exams. The schedule covers the Final, Intermediate, and Foundation courses, and students can now view the complete details on the ICAI website icai.org. The exams will begin on January 5, 2026, and conclude on January 24, 2026.
Application Process and Deadlines
The online registration process for the January 2026 exams is expected to begin on November 3, 2025. Candidates can submit their forms without a late fee until November 16, 2025. However, those who miss the initial deadline will have the option to apply with a late fee up until November 19, 2025.
Applicants must complete the process exclusively through the official ICAI portal by paying the prescribed fees online.
Complete Exam Schedule
Final Course
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Group I: January 5, 7, and 9, 2026
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Group II: January 11, 13, and 16, 2026
Intermediate Course
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Group I: January 6, 8, and 10, 2026
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Group II: January 12, 15, and 17, 2026
Foundation Course
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Exams will be held on January 18, 20, 22, and 24, 2026
Other Exams
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International Taxation Assessment Test (INTT-AT): January 13 and 16, 2026
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Insurance & Risk Management (IRM) Technical Exams: January 9, 11, 13, and 16, 2026
Exam Duration and Timings
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Most CA exam papers will be 3 hours long.
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Foundation papers 3 and 4 will have a duration of 2 hours each.
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The Final Course Paper 6 and the International Taxation Assessment Test (INTT-AT) will be 4-hour papers.
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All exams will be held in a single afternoon session, typically from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with some extending to 6:00 PM depending on the subject.
How to Download the Schedule
Students can check and download the ICAI CA January 2026 exam timetable by following these steps:
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Visit the official website icai.org.
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Navigate to the “Latest Announcements” section on the homepage.
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Click on the exam schedule link.
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The complete date sheet will appear on the screen.
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Download and save it for future reference.
Key Highlights
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The exams will span three weeks, ensuring adequate breaks between major papers.
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ICAI has strategically scheduled the exams to give students preparation time between subjects.
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The foundation papers will cover accounting, law, mathematics, business economics, and related areas, while intermediate and final papers will focus on taxation, auditing, advanced accounting, corporate laws, and specialized electives.
Why This Exam Cycle Matters
The January 2026 attempt is crucial for thousands of aspirants because:
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It provides an additional exam cycle apart from the May and November sessions, helping students save valuable preparation time.
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Candidates who were unable to clear earlier attempts will get another chance within the same academic year.
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The expansion of exam opportunities aligns with ICAI’s focus on flexibility and accessibility in professional education.
Conclusion
With the ICAI CA January 2026 exams set between January 5 and 24, aspirants now have a clear roadmap for preparation. Candidates are advised to mark the important dates, complete the application process on time, and make use of the structured breaks between exams to maximize performance.
The official date sheet is now live on the ICAI portal, ensuring transparency and helping students plan their study schedules effectively.
