Ready to lock in your study plan? The CA January 2026 exam datesheet is out, and it’s packed with dates, fees and registration windows you can’t afford to miss. Whether you’re cracking the Foundation, juggling Intermediate groups or eyeing the Final, the new schedule gives you a clear runway from early January to the end of the month.
Exam timetable at a glance
Here’s how the 2026 January window breaks down:
- Final: Group 1 on Jan 5, 7, 9; Group 2 on Jan 11, 13, 16.
- Intermediate: Group 1 on Jan 6, 8, 10; Group 2 on Jan 12, 15, 17.
- Foundation: Jan 18, 20, 22, 24.
- No exam on Jan 14 due to Makar Sankranti, Magha Bihu and Pongal celebrations.
- Post‑qualification courses like INTT‑AT (Jan 13, 16) and IRM technical exams (Jan 9, 11, 13, 16) are also slotted.
Most papers run from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 hours). Exceptions include Foundation Papers 3 & 4 (2 hours), Final Paper 6 (4 hours) and the specialized post‑qualification tests, which vary between 3‑4 hours.
How to register and what to watch out for
Registration opens online on November 3, 2025. Mark these cut‐off dates:
- Nov 16 – final day to apply without a late fee.
- Nov 19 – last chance with a Rs 600 (≈US $10) late fee.
Fees are straightforward: Rs 1,500 per attempt for Foundation, Rs 1,500 per group for Intermediate and Final, or Rs 2,700 if you’re attempting both groups in a single sitting.
Passing requirements stay the same – at least 40% in each paper and a 50% aggregate across the group. Keep a spreadsheet of your scores; it’s easier to spot a weak spot early and adjust your study focus.
Pro tip: Treat the holiday on Jan 14 as a buffer. Use it to review the toughest topics or to simulate a full‑paper practice run. Also, remember that the dates can shift if unavoidable circumstances arise, so bookmark icai.org and check it weekly for any updates.
With the timeline locked, you can now map out revision blocks, mock tests and rest days. Align your study calendar with the exact paper dates, and you’ll avoid the dreaded last‑minute scramble.