ICAI CA Intermediate & Final Exam Dates for September 2026: Application Process & Fees Explained

If you are a CA aspirant eyeing the September 2026 attempt, this is the one guide you need to bookmark right now. Whether you are appearing for the CA Intermediate or CA Final examination, understanding the exam schedule, the application process, and the fee structure well in advance can make a massive difference to your preparation journey.

ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) conducts CA exams three times every year - in January, May, and September. The September session serves as the third attempt of the calendar year and is especially important for students who appeared in the May 2026 attempt and want to retake, as well as for fresh candidates eligible for the first time.

In this detailed blog, we break down everything you need to know about the ICAI CA Intermediate and Final exam dates for September 2026 - including the expected application window, exam fees, eligibility criteria, and tips to never miss a deadline.

1. Understanding the ICAI Exam Cycle in 2026

ICAI revamped its exam structure significantly after the New Scheme of Education and Training was introduced in July 2023. Under this new framework, both CA Intermediate and CA Final exams are held three times a year - giving students more opportunities to clear their papers without waiting an entire year.

The three sessions in 2026 are January, May, and September. The January and May 2026 sessions have already been officially announced. The September 2026 session is the third and final attempt of the year, positioned primarily for candidates who missed or did not clear the earlier attempts, and for newly eligible students.

Note: Exact dates for September 2026 will be officially announced by ICAI approximately 2-3 months prior. Historically, the Inter and Final exams are held in the first two weeks of September, and Foundation exams follow in the second half of the month.

2. CA Intermediate - September 2026

The CA Intermediate examination is the second level of the CA course. It is divided into two groups, each comprising three papers. Candidates can choose to appear in one group or both groups simultaneously in a given attempt.

CA Intermediate — Group I Papers

CA Intermediate — Group II Papers

All CA Intermediate papers are conducted in pen-and-paper (offline) mode across hundreds of exam centres in India and select international locations. Students are given 15 minutes of advance reading time before each paper begins.

3.CA Final - September 2026

The CA Final examination is the last and most crucial level of the Chartered Accountancy course. Clearing both groups of CA Final marks the completion of the academic component, after which candidates must also fulfil articleship and other training requirements to become a full-fledged Chartered Accountant.

CA Final — Group I Papers

CA Final — Group II Papers

Paper 6 (Integrated Business Solutions) is a case-study based paper with a 4-hour duration, making it unique among all CA exam papers. It tests the integrated application of knowledge across multiple subjects in a real-world business scenario.

4. Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Appear in September 2026?

CA Intermediate — Eligibility

To appear in the CA Intermediate September 2026 examination, candidates must meet one of the following routes:

• Foundation Route: Candidates who have passed the CA Foundation examination and completed the mandatory 8-month study period before the examination month.
• Direct Entry Route: Commerce graduates/postgraduates with a minimum 55% aggregate, and non-commerce graduates with 60% aggregate, who have completed 9 months of practical training (articleship) by 1st September 2026.
• ICSI/ICMAI Route: Candidates who have passed the Intermediate examination of ICSI or ICMAI are also eligible via direct entry.
• Registration Validity: CA Intermediate registration is valid for 4 years. Candidates must revalidate if this period has lapsed.

CA Final — Eligibility

To be eligible for the CA Final September 2026 examination, a candidate must have:

• Cleared both groups of the CA Intermediate examination.
• Completed 2 years of practical training (articleship) by 1st September 2026, OR be in the last 6 months of articleship as on 1st September 2026, with completion before 28th February 2027.
• Completed ICITSS (Orientation Course and Information Technology Course).
• Completed Advanced ICITSS (Advanced IT and Management & Communication Skills Course) before appearing in the Final exam.
• CA Final registration must be valid (5 years from date of registration). Revalidation is required if lapsed.

Registration Deadlines to Note: For the September session, the last date to register as a new student for CA Intermediate is typically 1st February of the same year. For CA Final, students must ensure their registration is valid before 1st September 2026. Always verify these dates on eservices.icai.org.

5. Application Process: How to Fill the September 2026 Exam Form

The exam form (also called the examination application) is different from the course registration. Even if you are already registered for CA Intermediate or CA Final, you must separately fill the exam form for each attempt you wish to appear in.

Based on past patterns, the exam form window for the September 2026 session is expected to open in the month of July 2026. Here is the step-by-step process to apply:

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Important Tips While Filling the Form

• Do not attempt to fill the form on a mobile phone. Use a desktop or laptop for the best experience.
• Clear your browser cache before starting the form-filling process.
• Do not open multiple tabs or sessions simultaneously on the same device.
• Verify your photograph and signature are correctly uploaded. If missing, print the form, affix them, and get it attested by a Gazetted Officer or ICAI member.
• Double-check your exam centre preference before final submission, as changes are only allowed during the correction window.

Correction Window

ICAI typically opens a short correction window (usually 3-4 days) after the exam form deadline closes. During this window, candidates can change their exam centre, medium of writing (Hindi/English), group selection, or elective paper choice. The correction window is free of cost and is usually open about 3-4 days after the main deadline. Keep a close eye on ICAI notifications to use this opportunity if needed.

6. Exam Fees: CA Intermediate & Final — September 2026

The examination fees for the September 2026 session are expected to remain consistent with those charged in the January 2026 and May 2026 sessions, unless ICAI announces a revision. Here is the current fee structure:

CA Intermediate Exam Fees

CA Final Exam Fees

All payments are processed online through the SSP portal. ICAI accepts payments via RuPay Card, Visa/Mastercard Debit/Credit Cards, Net Banking, and BHIM UPI. Students from newly formed Union Territories and North-Eastern states may be eligible for a significant fee concession as notified by ICAI from time to time.

Fee Reminder: Always pay the exam fee yourself through the official ICAI portal. Avoid paying through third-party agents. Keep the payment receipt safely - it serves as proof of application and is required if you need to resolve any discrepancies later.

7. Important Dates — September 2026 Session

While ICAI has not yet officially announced the September 2026 exam schedule, the following dates are projected based on the consistent pattern followed in previous years. Treat these as planning benchmarks and always confirm via icai.org once the official notification is released.

These dates are purely indicative based on ICAI's past exam cycles. The official notification will provide exact dates once announced. Subscribe to ICAI's email alerts and check icai.org regularly from May 2026 onwards.

8. Admit Card: How and When to Download

The CA Admit Card (also called Hall Ticket) is a mandatory document to carry to the examination centre. Without it, candidates may not be allowed to sit for the exam. ICAI releases the admit card online approximately 15 days before the first exam date.

To download your admit card, log in to the ICAI Self-Service Portal (eservices.icai.org) using your SRN and password. The admit card will be available under the examination section of your dashboard. Download it, take a printout, and also keep a digital copy on your phone as a backup.

• Always carry a printed hard copy of your admit card to the exam hall.
• Carry a valid government-issued photo ID alongside your admit card (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID).
• Admit cards are NOT sent by post. It is solely your responsibility to download it before the exams.
• If your photograph or signature is missing on the admit card, get the printed copy attested by a Gazetted Officer or an ICAI member.

9. Exam Day Guidelines You Must Know

ICAI has specific exam day rules that every candidate must follow. Violations can lead to disqualification or cancellation of the paper. Here is what you need to keep in mind:

• Report at the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Late entries are generally not permitted once the exam has started.
• Candidates are given 15 minutes of advance reading time before each exam (except Foundation Paper 3 & 4, and Post-Qualification Course papers).
• Electronic devices including mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earphones, and calculators are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.
• Candidates are not allowed to leave the exam room until the examination is complete.
• The exam schedule will NOT change even if an exam day falls on a public holiday declared by the Central or State Government.
• All papers are conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. There are no online or CBT exams for Foundation, Intermediate, or Final levels.

10. Registration for New Students: Course Registration vs. Exam Form

Many first-time applicants confuse course registration with the exam form. These are two separate processes and both are mandatory. Course registration is a one-time process done at the time of joining the CA course, while the exam form must be submitted every time you wish to appear in an exam attempt.

11. Pro Tips to Prepare for the September 2026 Session

The September 2026 session gives candidates a full preparation window after the May results are declared in June/July. Here is how you can make the most of this time:

• Start Early: Do not wait for the September notification to begin studying. Begin your preparation immediately after the May 2026 exams are done.
• Analyse Your Past Attempt: If you appeared in May 2026, carefully review your scorecard and identify weak areas before diving into revision.
• Use ICAI Study Material: The official ICAI study modules are the most reliable and exam-oriented resources available. Always refer to the latest editions.
• Practice with RTPs and MTPs: ICAI releases Revision Test Papers (RTPs) and Mock Test Papers (MTPs) approximately 2 months before every session. These are invaluable for final preparation.
• Set Milestone Deadlines: Map out a paper-by-paper revision schedule and set internal deadlines so that all subjects are covered at least twice before exam day.
• Focus on Self-Paced Modules (SPMs): Under the new scheme, SPMs are a key component for Intermediate students. Make sure all SPM tests are cleared before the exam.

Quick Reference Links: Official ICAI Website: www.icai.org | Exam Portal: icaiexam.icai.org | Self-Service Portal (SSP): eservices.icai.org 

All the best for your CA journey!