ICAI CA January 2026: Admit Card Expected, Exam Dates

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will hold its Chartered Accountant (CA) January 2026 exams early next year. Students taking the Foundation, Intermediate, and Final level exams can expect their admit cards by the third week of December 2025 . These exams follow a new system with a revised syllabus and will now happen three times a year: January, May, and September.

The CA exams help students move through different stages of the course. The January 2026 session gives students an extra chance to clear their papers, in addition to the usual May and November exam sessions. Exam dates are set from early to mid-January 2026 .

CA January 2026 Admit Card: Expected Date

Students waiting for their admit card can check the expected release date below.

Previous Admit Card Release Trends

Looking at past years, ICAI generally releases admit cards for January exams in late December of the previous year. This trend helps students guess when their admit card for January 2026 might come out.

ICAI CA January 2026 Exam Schedule

The ICAI CA exams for January 2026 have specific dates for each level. Students should note these dates carefully for their preparation.

Foundation Level Exams

• January 18, 2026
• January 20, 2026
• January 22, 2026
• January 24, 2026

Intermediate Level Exams

Group 1

• January 6, 2026
• January 8, 2026
• January 10, 2026

Group 2

• January 12, 2026
• January 15, 2026
• January 17, 2026

Final Level Exams

Group 1

• January 5, 2026
• January 7, 2026
• January 9, 2026

Group 2

• January 11, 2026
• January 13, 2026
• January 16, 2026

New Changes in CA Exams: Revised Syllabus and More Attempts

The January 2026 exams mark a big change for CA students. ICAI has brought in a new system with a revised syllabus. This new syllabus focuses more on practical skills. It helps students learn what they need to succeed in the real world of accounting and finance.

Another important change is that CA exams will now be held three times a year : in January, May, and September. Earlier, exams were mostly twice a year. This change gives students more chances to appear for their exams and clear different stages of the CA course faster. It means if a student misses one exam session or does not clear a paper, they do not have to wait as long for the next attempt.

What is the Chartered Accountant (CA) Course?

The Chartered Accountant (CA) course is a professional program in India for students who want to become expert accountants and financial advisors. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) manages this course and conducts exams at three main levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Passing these exams leads to becoming a certified Chartered Accountant, a highly respected profession in finance and business.

How to Download Your Admit Card (General Steps)

When the admit card is released, students can download it from the official ICAI website. Here are the usual steps:

• Step 1: Visit the official ICAI website.
• Step 2: Look for the 'Admit Card' section or a link for 'January 2026 CA Exams'.
• Step 3: Click on the link for Foundation, Intermediate, or Final admit card, depending on your level.
• Step 4: Enter your registration number and password or other required details.
• Step 5: Your admit card will appear on the screen.
• Step 6: Check all details carefully.
• Step 7: Download and print a copy of your admit card. You must carry this printout to the exam hall.

Students must make sure all details on their admit card are correct, including their name, photo, signature, exam centre, and exam dates. If there are any mistakes, they should contact ICAI immediately to get them corrected.