The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a significant overhaul of the CA Final examination schedule, reducing the number of attempts from three to two annually starting May 2026. The move eliminates the January session, leaving candidates with opportunities only in May and November each year.

Under the revised system, the May 2026 examination will be the first to follow the new format. ICAI said the decision was taken after considering feedback from stakeholders, marking a notable shift in how the country’s premier accounting exam is conducted.

“Presently, Chartered Accountants Final Examinations are being conducted thrice a year in January, May and September. However, in view of stakeholder feedback, the Council has decided that CA Final Examinations shall be conducted twice a year in May and November with effect from May 2026 onwards,” the institute said in its official statement.

With the January attempt now discontinued, candidates will have two chances each year to clear the final stage of the Chartered Accountancy course. ICAI has clarified that there are no changes to the syllabus or evaluation pattern, indicating that the revision is limited to the exam frequency.

Meanwhile, ICAI has also launched its 64th campus placement drive for newly qualified Chartered Accountants. The interview process began on April 6 across major centres, including Mumbai and Delhi, and will continue in phases across cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, before expanding to additional locations like Pune, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur.

In a new initiative, the institute has introduced a standardized orientation programme aimed at enhancing candidates’ employability. The programme focuses on interview preparation, understanding employer expectations, and broader career guidance.

In the previous placement cycle, more than 10,200 job offers were rolled out, with the highest domestic package touching ₹32.33 lakh per annum, underscoring strong demand for qualified Chartered Accountants in the job market.