The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially announced the CA May 2026 exam dates for all three levels of the Chartered Accountancy course Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. These dates give candidates clarity on when the exams will be held so you can plan your preparation, revision, and application process effectively. All May 2026 exams will be conducted in offline (pen and paper) mode at various centres across India and selected overseas locations.
In this guide, we break down the exam schedule by course level, application and admit card details, exam timings, eligibility reminders, result expectations, and helpful prep tips to help you stay on track for success.
CA May 2026 Exam Schedule: Full Dates
CA Final May 2026 Exam
The CA Final exam is the third and final stage of the CA course. The exams will be held in two groups, with three papers in each group.
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Group I
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Paper 1: May 2, 2026
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Paper 2: May 4, 2026
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Paper 3: May 6, 2026
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Group II
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Paper 4: May 8, 2026
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Paper 5: May 10, 2026
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Paper 6: May 12, 2026
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Most papers are scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with Paper 6 often extended till 6:00 PM due to the open book Integrated Business Solutions question design.
CA Intermediate May 2026 Exam
The Intermediate exam also follows a two group pattern, with all papers typically conducted in the afternoon session:
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Group I
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Paper 1: May 3, 2026
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Paper 2: May 5, 2026
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Paper 3: May 7, 2026
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Group II
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Paper 4: May 9, 2026
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Paper 5: May 11, 2026
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Paper 6: May 13, 2026
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Each paper runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM across all subjects.
CA Foundation May 2026 Exam
The Foundation level, designed for fresh students after Class 12 (or equivalent), has four papers spread over mid May:
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Paper 1 – May 14, 2026
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Paper 2 – May 16, 2026
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Paper 3 – May 18, 2026
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Paper 4 – May 20, 2026
Papers 1 and 2 are three hours long (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM), while Papers 3 and 4 are two hours long (2:00 PM to 4:00 PM).
Exam Application and Admit Card Details
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Application Form Window: March 3 to March 16, 2026
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Correction Window: March 20 to March 22, 2026
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Applications must be submitted online through the ICAI exam portal before the deadline.
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Admit Cards Release: Expected third week of April 2026
Candidates can download admit cards from ICAI’s official website once released.
Course Specific Exam Structure & Timings
All CA papers across levels are typically conducted in three hour durations, unless specified otherwise (like Foundation Papers 3 and 4). The exams include a mix of theoretical and practical questions, with marking patterns varying by level.
The CA Final Paper 6 is often longer due to the integrated open book format requiring additional working time.
Eligibility and Applying
To appear for CA May 2026 exams:
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Foundation: Pass Class 12 or equivalent.
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Intermediate: Clear CA Foundation or be eligible via exemptions (like graduation).
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Final: Must have cleared CA Intermediate and completed required practical training.
Make sure you meet the minimum eligibility and registration criteria before submitting the application form.
Expected Result Dates
Though ICAI hasn’t officially fixed the result dates, CA May exams results especially for Final and Intermediate are usually declared around June or July 2026, based on past exam cycles. Candidates will be able to check results online using their roll number and registration details on the ICAI exam portal.
How to Prepare for CA May 2026 Exams
1.Create a Strategic Study Plan
Start early with a detailed timetable, focusing on important chapters based on last year’s weightage. Prioritize revision schedules and mock tests.
2.Practice Past Papers
ICAI previous years’ papers and mock exams help you understand question patterns, difficulty levels, and time management strategies.
3.Focus on Weak Areas
Regularly analyze your performance in practice tests and allocate more time to topics where you score less.
4.Review ICAI Study Materials
Always refer to the official ICAI study material and amendments announced for May 2026. This ensures you’re preparing the right syllabus.
Conclusion
ICAI’s announcement of the CA May 2026 exam schedule gives candidates clarity on when the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams will be held. With confirmed dates between May 2 and May 20, 2026, you now have the full picture to plan your preparation, apply on time, download your admit card, and appear for your papers with confidence. Stay disciplined with your study plan and track your progress regularly to maximize your chances of success.
Best of luck for your CA May 2026 exams!
FAQs
The CA May 2026 exams will be held from May 2 to May 20, 2026.
You can apply through the official ICAI exam portal from March 3 to March 16, 2026.
The exam will include Prelims, Mains, and an Interview. Prelims and Mains consist of multiple-choice questions, while Mains also includes Descriptive Writing (Essay and Letter Writing).
Eligibility varies by level: Foundation requires a Class 12 pass, Intermediate needs a cleared Foundation exam or graduation, and Final requires passing the Intermediate level with practical training completion.
Application dates: March 3-16, 2026, exams: May 2-20, 2026, and results are expected in June-July 2026.
Create a structured study plan, focus on high-weightage topics, take mock tests, and regularly revise key concepts.
