ICAI CA January 2026 Exams: Registration Opens Today – Your Complete Guide to Dates, Fees, Application, and Preparation

November 3, 2025 – Aspiring Chartered Accountants, mark your calendars! The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially kicked off the registration process for the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final examinations scheduled for January 2026. Starting today, candidates can submit their exam forms online through the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP) at eservices.icai.org. This is your gateway to the first CA exam cycle of 2026 – don’t miss the deadlines!

Whether you’re a fresh Foundation entrant or a Final-level veteran, this blog breaks down everything: key dates, exam schedules, fees, step-by-step application process, eligibility reminders, and pro tips to ace your prep. Let’s dive in!

Why January 2026 Matters: A Quick Overview

ICAI conducts CA exams three times a year (January, May, September) under the New Scheme of Education and Training. The January session is ideal for students who completed their study period by December 2025 or those reappearing after September 2025 results (declared today!). With no changes to the schedule even on public holidays, ICAI ensures a smooth, uninterrupted timeline.

Key Highlight: No exams on January 14, 2026 (Makar Sankranti / Magha Bihu / Pongal).

Important Dates at a Glance

Event	Date
Registration Opens	November 3, 2025 (Today!)
Last Date (Without Late Fee)	November 16, 2025
Last Date (With Late Fee ₹600 / US$10)	November 19, 2025
Correction Window (City, Medium, Group)	November 20–22, 2025
Admit Card Release	Mid-December 2025 (Tentative)
Exam Period	January 5–24, 2026
Results	March 2026 (Expected)

Apply early to avoid technical glitches – the portal sees heavy traffic on the last day!

Detailed Exam Schedule

All papers are offline, pen-and-paper mode. Timings: 2 PM onwards with 15-minute reading time (1:45–2:00 PM) for most papers.

CA Final (Group I & II)

• Group I: January 5, 7, 9, 2026
• Group II: January 11, 13, 16, 2026
• Paper 6 (Elective): 4 hours (2–6 PM)

CA Intermediate (Group I & II)

• Group I: January 6, 8, 10, 2026
• Group II: January 12, 15, 17, 2026
• All papers: 3 hours (2–5 PM)

CA Foundation

• January 18, 20, 22, 24, 2026
• Papers 1 & 2: 3 hours (2–5 PM)
• Papers 3 & 4 (MCQ-based): 2 hours (2–4 PM)

Post-Qualification Courses

• INTT–AT: January 13 & 16, 2026 (4 hours each)
• IRM Technical Exam: January 9, 11, 13, 16, 2026

Exams in 290+ cities across India and 8 overseas centers (Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, Kuwait, Muscat, Thimphu).

Exam Fees: Pay Online Only

Fees vary by level, group, and location. Pay via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or BHIM.

Course	India/Nepal/Bhutan (₹)	Overseas (US$)
Foundation	1,500	325
Intermediate (Single Group)	1,500	325
Intermediate (Both Groups)	2,700	500
Final (Single Group)	1,800	325
Final (Both Groups)	3,300	550
Late Fee	600	10

No refunds for double payments – double-check before submitting!

Step-by-Step: How to Apply Today

1. Visit the Portal: Go to eservices.icai.org.
2. Login/Register: Use your ICAI registration number and password. New users? Create an SSP account first.
3. Select Exam: Choose “January 2026” > Course > Group(s).
4. Fill Details: Update photo/signature if needed, select city & medium (English/Hindi).
5. Pay Fee: Instant online payment – generate PDF receipt.
6. Submit & Download: Take a printout of the filled form for records.

Pro Tip: Keep your articleship details, Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM), and Advanced ICITSS status updated on SSP. Incomplete data = rejected form!

Eligibility Reminders (New Scheme)

• Foundation: Class 12 passed + 4-month study period.
• Intermediate: Foundation pass or Direct Entry (Graduation 50–55%) + 8-month study.
• Final: Both Inter groups passed + 2.5-year articleship + Advanced ICITSS + SPOM Sets A–D (by Dec 10, 2025 for most).

Exemptions from previous attempts carry forward automatically.

Last-Minute Preparation Toolkit

1. Mock Tests: ICAI’s BoS portal releases Series I (Nov 29/Dec 1) & Series II (Dec 16/19). Attempt both!
2. Revision Classes: Live Virtual Revisionary Classes (LVRC) start soon – register on ICAI BoS.
3. Study Material: Download free from icai.org/post/study-material-nset.
4. Success Mantra Series: Free motivational webinars for Inter & Final.
5. Time Management: Practice 3-hour papers daily; focus on MCQs for Foundation Papers 3–4.

Common Pitfall: Ignoring SPOM deadlines – clear them by Dec 10 or risk admit card issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I change my exam city after submission?
A: Yes, only during Nov 20–22 correction window.

Q: What if I miss the late-fee deadline?
A: No further extensions – wait for May 2026.

Q: Hindi medium available?
A: Yes for Foundation/Inter/Final (except specific papers); PQC in English only.

Final Words: Start Strong, Finish as a CA!

The January 2026 cycle is your chance to turn September setbacks into success stories. With registrations live right now, log in, apply, and lock in your seat. Stay updated via icai.org announcements – ICAI posts real-time alerts.

Need help? Drop queries in the comments or reach ICAI helpline: 0120-3054 851 (Exam Dept.).

You’ve got this! 💼📈

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Sources: Official ICAI announcements & notifications dated Sep 23 & Nov 3, 2025)