The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a new date for a key exam. The CA Intermediate Examination, Group II, Paper – 5, which covers Auditing and Ethics, was cancelled earlier. It will now be held on January 31, 2026 . This announcement brings clarity for thousands of students preparing for this crucial paper.
All students appearing for this exam should note the new date. The admit cards that were already issued for the previous dates will remain valid. There is no need to download new admit cards. Students must use their existing hall tickets and report to the same exam centres at the same time as mentioned on their current admit cards. This applies to all test centres, both within India and outside the country.
Timeline of Changes for CA Intermediate Paper 5
The scheduling of CA Intermediate Paper 5 has seen a few adjustments. Here is a clear timeline of the dates:
| Original Exam Date | January 15, 2026 |
| First Postponement | January 19, 2026 (due to Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra) |
| Cancellation Announcement | January 17, 2026 (citing unforeseen reasons) |
| New Rescheduled Date | January 31, 2026 |
Initially, ICAI had postponed the exam from January 15 to January 19. This change was specifically due to Municipal Corporation elections taking place in the state of Maharashtra, which could have affected exam logistics. However, just two days before the rescheduled date, on January 17, ICAI announced a complete cancellation of the paper across all centres, stating "unforeseen reasons." This created uncertainty for many students. Now, with the new date of January 31, 2026, students have a confirmed schedule to focus on their preparations.
Key Instructions for Students
Students must continue to prepare for the Auditing and Ethics paper. It is important to remember that the exam format, duration, and other instructions remain unchanged. Only the date has been updated. Double-check your admit card for your specific exam centre details and reporting time. Plan your travel to the exam centre in advance to avoid any last-minute issues on January 31, 2026 .
Updates on Other ICAI Examinations
While the Intermediate Paper 5 saw changes, other examinations from ICAI are mostly continuing as per their original plans:
CA Foundation January 2026 Exams
- The CA Foundation January 2026 exam session began on January 18, 2026 .
- The remaining papers for the CA Foundation course will proceed exactly as scheduled. These dates are January 20, 22, and 24, 2026 . Students taking these papers should follow their original timetable.
How to Give Feedback on Question Papers
ICAI offers an opportunity for students to submit their observations regarding the question papers from the January 2026 exam session. This feedback mechanism covers various exams, including CA Final, Intermediate, Foundation, and Post Qualification Courses like INTT-AT & IRM.
- Students can send their comments or suggestions either through email or via speed post.
- The deadline for submitting these observations is January 27, 2026 . This allows students a specific window to share their views after the exams.
Registration for CA May 2026 Exams
Looking ahead, the registration process for the next examination cycle, the CA May 2026 exams, will start soon.
- Students wishing to appear for the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams in May 2026 can begin their registrations from March 3, 2026 .
ICAI advises all students to regularly visit the official ICAI website for the latest updates and announcements. This is the best way to get accurate and timely information for all examinations and related processes. Staying informed will help students manage their studies and exam plans effectively.
