If you are planning your final revision sprint, understanding the ICAI CA Final May 2026 timetable is the first step toward the Merit List. In this guide, we break down the complete CA Final May 2026 exam schedule, registration process, and the updated syllabus requirements.
ICAI CA Final Exam Dates May 2026: Official Timetable
| Date | Group | Paper Name | Timings (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2, 2026 | Group I | Paper 1: Financial Reporting | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| May 4, 2026 | Group I | Paper 2: Advanced Financial Management | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| May 6, 2026 | Group I | Paper 3: Advanced Auditing, Assurance & Professional Ethics | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| May 8, 2026 | Group II | Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| May 10, 2026 | Group II | Paper 5: Indirect Tax Laws | 2 PM – 5 PM |
| May 12, 2026 | Group II | Paper 6: Integrated Business Solutions (Open Book) | 2 PM – 6 PM |
Note: All papers except Paper 6 are of 3-hour duration. Paper 6 (Integrated Business Solutions) is a 4-hour multidisciplinary case-study-based exam.
Crucial Deadlines for May 2026 Attempt
Adhering to the ICAI official timeline is vital to ensure eligibility for this attempt.
- CA Final May 2026 Registration Last Date: January 1, 2026.
- ICAI Exam Form May 2026 Opening Date: March 3, 2026 (via SSP portal).
- Last Date to Submit (Without Late Fee): March 16, 2026.
- Last Date to Submit (With Late Fee of ₹600): March 19, 2026.
- CA Final May 2026 Exam Form Correction Window: March 20 – March 22, 2026.
- Admit Card Release: Expected in the third week of April 2026, approximately 10–15 days before the first paper.
Eligibility Criteria for CA Final May 2026 Exams
- Intermediate Cleared: You must have successfully passed both groups of the CA Intermediate examination.
- SPOM Requirement: Qualifying the Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM) is a non-negotiable prerequisite for May 2026.
- Set A (Corporate and Economic Laws) and Set B (Strategic Cost & Performance Management) are mandatory for all candidates.
- Note: Candidates who cleared Intermediate after November 2023 must generally qualify all four sets (A, B, C, and D) before the exam.
- Articleship Status: You must have completed your 2-year practical training (Articleship) or be in the last six months of training.
Advanced ICITSS: Completion of the Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS) is mandatory before appearing in the final examination.
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CA Final Exam Form Fees
| Exam Centre | Single Group Fee | Both Groups Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Centres | ₹1,800 | ₹3,300 |
| Kathmandu (Nepal) | ₹2,200 | ₹4,000 |
| Overseas Centres | US$ 325 | US$ 550 |
Important Note on Late Fees:
If you fail to submit your application by the March 16, 2026 deadline, you can still apply until March 19, 2026, by paying a late fee of ₹600 for Indian/Kathmandu centres or US$ 10 for overseas centres.
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme (New Scheme)
- Objective vs. Descriptive: Papers 1 to 5 follow a 30:70 ratio, with 30% case-study-based MCQs and 70% descriptive questions.
- Paper 6 Specifics: Unlike other papers, CA Final Paper 6 Integrated Business Solutions exam pattern is a 4-hour multidisciplinary case study. This is an Open Book exam designed to test your ability to synthesize knowledge from all 5 other subjects.
- No Negative Marking: ICAI currently does not penalize students for wrong answers in the MCQ section.
Preparation Tips: How to Ace the May 2026 Exam
- SPOM First: Do not leave your Set A and Set B modules for the last minute. Clear them by February so your brain is solely focused on the 6 main papers.
- The “Integrated” Mindset: For Paper 6, stop studying subjects in silos. Start interlinking how a Direct Tax provision might affect a Financial Reporting disclosure or an Audit assertion.
- ICAI Resources: Solving the Mock Test Papers (MTP) and Revision Test Papers (RTP) is mandatory. Series I is typically released in March, and Series II in April.
Conclusion
Success in May 2026 requires balancing the 30% MCQ weightage with deep descriptive mastery. By adhering to the March 16 exam form deadline and completing your Advanced ICITSS on time, you clear the administrative hurdles, leaving your mind free for rigorous revision. At Agrawal Classes, we are committed to helping you navigate these changes with expert mentorship and updated study material.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The last date for registration to be eligible for the May 2026 attempt is January 1, 2026. Ensure your status is updated on the ICAI SSP Portal before this date.
Yes. Qualifying the Self-Paced Online Modules (SPOM) Set A (Law) and Set B (SCM) is a non-negotiable prerequisite. You will not be allowed to submit the May 2026 exam form if these modules are not cleared.
No. As per the current ICAI guidelines, there is no negative marking for the 30% objective (MCQ) portion in any of the six papers under the New Scheme.
To clear the CA Final May 2026 exams, you must secure a minimum of 40% marks in each individual paper and an aggregate of 50% marks across all papers in a group.
The ICAI typically releases admit cards 14 days prior to the commencement of exams. You can expect your May 2026 admit card to be available for download in the third week of April 2026.
Yes, ICAI provides a Correction Window (scheduled for March 20 – March 22, 2026) where you can request a change in your exam centre, group, or medium of instruction.
