Urgent Update:
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The ICAI Chartered Accountancy (CA) exams are a significant milestone for aspiring accountants in India. As we approach the May 2026 exams, it’s essential to have all the details on exam dates, fees, eligibility, and updated timings to ensure a smooth exam experience. With the introduction of the New Scheme of Education and updated guidelines, here’s everything you need to know about the ICAI CA May 2026 exams.
Official ICAI CA Exam Dates May 2026
The official exam dates for the May 2026 ICAI CA exams are now confirmed. These exams follow a revised structure under the New Scheme of Education, so it’s essential to stay updated on the exact dates for each level.
ICAI CA Exam Dates May 2026:
| Level | Exam Dates (May 2026) |
| CA Foundation | May 14, 16, 18, and 20 |
| CA Intermediate (Group I) | May 3, 5, and 7 |
| CA Intermediate (Group II) | May 9, 11, and 13 |
| CA Final (Group I) | May 2, 4, and 6 |
| CA Final (Group II) | May 8, 10, and 12 |
These official exam dates are now confirmed by ICAI, replacing any previous tentative timelines. Be sure to mark these dates in your calendar, and prepare ahead of time to ensure you’re ready.
Updated Exam Timings for May 2026
The exam timings for the ICAI CA exams in May 2026 have been updated. Here's the detailed schedule:
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Foundation (Papers 3 & 4): 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (2 hours)
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Final (Paper 6 - Integrated Business Solutions): 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (4 hours)
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For CA Intermediate and Final (other papers), the exams are typically held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (3 hours).
Important Note: For subjective papers, there is a 15-minute reading time from 1:45 PM to 2:00 PM, giving you extra time to go through the question paper before starting the exam.
ICAI CA Exam Eligibility for May 2026
Before registering for the exams, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for your respective level of CA Foundation, Intermediate, or Final. Here's an overview:
1. CA Foundation Eligibility:
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Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board.
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Registration with ICAI: Register for the CA Foundation course at least 4 months before the exam.
2. CA Intermediate Eligibility:
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For Direct Entry: Graduate with 55% (commerce) or 60% (non-commerce) marks.
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For Post-Foundation Route: Candidates who have passed the CA Foundation exam are eligible for the Intermediate exam.
3. CA Final Eligibility:
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For Direct Entry: Candidates who have passed both the CA Intermediate and completed 2.5 years of articleship.
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For Post-Intermediate Route: Candidates who have passed both groups of CA Intermediate and completed the required articleship period.
ICAI CA Exam Fee Structure for May 2026
The fee structure for the ICAI CA exams has also been updated. Below is the latest breakdown of the exam fees:
1. CA Foundation Fee:
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Examination Fee: 1,500 – 2,000
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Application Fee: 1,000 (for online applications)
2. CA Intermediate Fee:
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Examination Fee (Per Group): 2,500
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Both Groups: 4,500
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Registration Fee (for candidates yet to register): 13,000 – 18,000 (approximately)
3. CA Final Fee:
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Examination Fee (Per Group): 3,000
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Both Groups: 6,000
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Registration Fee (for new candidates): 20,000 (approximately)
ICAI CA Exam Application Process
The ICAI CA exam application process is primarily conducted online. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for the May 2026 exams:
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Visit the ICAI Official Website: Go to the official ICAI exam portal.
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Create an Account: If you don’t have one, create an account by providing your personal details and educational qualifications.
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Fill the Application Form: Complete the form, selecting your course, level (Foundation/Intermediate/Final), and group(s).
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Pay the Exam Fees: Make the payment for the exam via online modes (net banking, debit/credit cards, etc.).
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Submit and Download the Acknowledgment: Once you’ve submitted your application, download the acknowledgment for your records.
New Scheme of Education: Important Updates for 2026
Starting from May 2024, ICAI implemented a New Scheme of Education, which includes major changes to the exam structure. Here are the updates for May 2026:
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Foundation: Now has 4 papers. Papers 1 and 2 are subjective, while papers 3 and 4 are objective.
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Intermediate: The number of papers has been reduced from 8 papers to 6 papers.
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Final: Reduced to 6 papers. Additionally, candidates must complete Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM) before appearing for the exam.
Visualizing the New Scheme of Education (2026)
Here’s a visual breakdown of the new exam structure under the New Scheme of Education for 2026:
CA Foundation (New Structure)
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Paper 1: Subjective
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Paper 2: Subjective
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Paper 3: Objective
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Paper 4: Objective
CA Intermediate (New Structure)
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Group I: 3 papers
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Group II: 3 papers
CA Final (New Structure)
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6 papers
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Includes mandatory Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM)
Building Your Full Stack Portfolio
To land your first Full Stack Developer job, you need to build a strong portfolio with real-world projects. Here are three project ideas that will showcase your MERN stack skills:
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Real-time Chat Application (Using Socket.io)
This app lets users chat in real time. It demonstrates your ability to handle WebSocket connections and build interactive user interfaces.
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E-commerce Dashboard (With Stripe Integration)
Build a dashboard for an e-commerce website, including user authentication, product management, and payment integration with Stripe.
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AI-powered Content Management System (CMS)
Create a CMS that integrates with an LLM API (e.g., GPT-4o) to generate content dynamically. This shows your proficiency with integrating AI and demonstrates cutting-edge development skills.
Optimize Your GitHub Portfolio
Recruiters in 2026 place significant weight on GitHub activity. Here’s how to optimize your GitHub profile:
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Regularly contribute to open-source projects (keep those green squares visible).
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Document your projects with clear README files.
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Include your best projects with clear instructions on how to run and test them.
Conclusion
Mastering Full Stack Development using the MERN stack (and Next.js) in 2026 will set you on the path to a successful career. By learning the essential skills in JavaScript, React, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB, you can confidently build end-to-end applications. Understanding the role of AI tools like GitHub Copilot will also keep you ahead of the curve.
Start building your portfolio, contributing to GitHub, and learning TypeScript alongside MERN. By following this roadmap, you'll be well-equipped to land your first job as a Full Stack Developer in 2026 and start building modern web applications that scale.
FAQs
The ICAI CA exams for May 2026 will be held on the following dates:
- CA Foundation: May 14, 16, 18, and 20
- CA Intermediate (Group I): May 3, 5, and 7
- CA Intermediate (Group II): May 9, 11, and 13
- CA Final (Group I): May 2, 4, and 6
- CA Final (Group II): May 8, 10, and 12
The fees for the ICAI CA exams in May 2026 range from ₹1,500 for the CA Foundation to ₹6,000 for both groups of the CA Final exams. Additional registration fees may apply.
To be eligible for the ICAI CA exams, candidates must meet specific educational qualifications, including clearing the CA Foundation, Intermediate, or completing the Articleship for CA Final, depending on the level of the exam.
Applications for the ICAI CA exams can be submitted online through the official ICAI exam portal. Fill out the application form, pay the exam fees, and download the acknowledgment after submission.
ICAI allows candidates to select their exam centre during the application process. Changes to the exam centre may be allowed under special circumstances. Refer to ICAI's official guidelines for more information on this.
