The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially announced the examination schedule for the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final – May 2026 attempt.
If you are a CA aspirant planning your next steps, this notification is your green light to finalise your study strategy. Whether you are appearing for a single group or aiming for a rank in both, knowing the exact dates is the first step toward success.
Below is the complete, simplified breakdown of the CA May 2026 exam dates, timings, fees, and application deadlines as per the official notification.
CA May 2026: Key Highlights
Mode of Exam: Offline (Pen & Paper).
Application Start Date: 3rd March 2026.
Official Website: eservices.icai.org
1. CA Foundation Exam Dates – May 2026
The Foundation exams will be conducted in mid-May. Please note the difference in timings for subjective vs. objective papers.
| Paper | Subject | Date | Day | Timing |
| Paper 1 | Accounting | 14th May 2026 | Thursday | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| Paper 2 | Business Laws | 16th May 2026 | Saturday | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| Paper 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 18th May 2026 | Monday | 2 PM – 4 PM |
| Paper 4 | Business Economics | 20th May 2026 | Wednesday | 2 PM – 4 PM |
Note: Advance reading time of 15 minutes is not provided for Paper 3 & Paper 4.
2. CA Intermediate Exam Dates – May 2026
The Intermediate exams will be held in early May across two weeks.
| Group | Paper | Date | Day |
| Group I | Paper 1: Advanced Accounting | 3rd May 2026 | Sunday |
| Paper 2: Corporate Laws | 5th May 2026 | Tuesday | |
| Paper 3: Taxation | 7th May 2026 | Thursday | |
| Group II | Paper 4: Cost & Mgmt Accounting | 9th May 2026 | Saturday |
| Paper 5: Auditing & Ethics | 11th May 2026 | Monday | |
| Paper 6: FM & SM | 13th May 2026 | Wednesday |
Exam Timing: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 Hours)
Reading Time: 15 Minutes (1:45 PM to 2:00 PM)
3. CA Final Exam Dates – May 2026
For Final students, the schedule follows the traditional Group I & Group II pattern.
| Group | Paper | Date | Day |
| Group I | Paper 1: Financial Reporting | 2nd May 2026 | Saturday |
| Paper 2: AFM | 4th May 2026 | Monday | |
| Paper 3: Adv. Auditing | 6th May 2026 | Wednesday | |
| Group II | Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws | 8th May 2026 | Friday |
| Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws | 10th May 2026 | Sunday | |
| Paper 6: IBS (Open Book) | 12th May 2026 | Tuesday |
Important: Paper 6 (Integrated Business Solutions) is a 4-hour open-book exam conducted from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
4. Important Application Dates (Don’t Miss These!)
All candidates must submit their exam forms online via the ICAI SSP Portal.
| Event | Date |
| Start of Online Application | 3rd March 2026 |
| Last Date (Without Late Fee) | 16th March 2026 |
| Last Date (With ₹600 Late Fee) | 19th March 2026 |
| Correction Window | 20th March – 22nd March 2026 |
What can you change in the Correction Window?
You can usually edit your Exam City, Group, and Medium of examination.
5. CA May 2026 Examination Fees
Ensure you pay the correct fee based on your centre location.
| Course | Single Group (India) | Both Groups (India) | Overseas (Single / Both) |
| Foundation | ₹ 1,500 | — | $325 |
| Intermediate | ₹ 1,500 | ₹ 2,700 | $325 / $500 |
| Final | ₹ 1,800 | ₹ 3,300 | $325 / $550 |
(Note: Fees for Bhutan & Kathmandu centres are ₹2,200 for Single Group and ₹3,400/₹4,000 for Both Groups respectively.)
Other Important Details
International Taxation (INTT – AT)
Dates: 10th & 12th May 2026
Timing: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (4 Hours)
Fee: ₹2,000 (India only)
Exam Centres
ICAI will conduct exams in hundreds of cities across India and 8 overseas centres:
Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh, Kathmandu, and Thimphu.
Note: Overseas exam timings are adjusted to align with 2:00 PM IST.
Conclusion
With the schedule now public, you have a clear deadline to work toward. This is the perfect time to lock in your revision strategy, solve Mock Test Papers (MTPs), and focus on your weak areas.
Next Steps for You:
Mark these dates on your calendar.
Check your SSP Portal login to ensure your profile is active.
Set a reminder for 3rd March 2026 to fill out your form early.
Confused about your career path after exams? Check out CA Monk to explore in-demand upskilling programs for CAs.
All the best for your preparation!