CA Final Exam Dates 2026 (May): CA Final Schedule, Admit Card & Result Dates Here

Usually, an individual takes about 3 to 5 attempts to clear the CA Final exam. The course level is too difficult to crack in the first attempt. The overall CA Final pass percentage of any session is usually between 20-25 percent only. It is mainly due to the fact that one needs to clear both groups of the CA Final course. The vastness of CA Final syllabus makes it difficult to crack it in the first attempt.

There is usually a one-day gap between CA Final exams. The exam is conducted within 10 days for any session. For example, CA Final May 2025 exams are scheduled as, May 2, May 4, May 6, May 8, May 10. And May 13 for both Group I and Group II.

CA Final has six papers in both course groups (New scheme and Old scheme). Here are the paper topics for CA Final Group 1 and CA Final Group 2.

CA Final Group 1: Financial Reporting, Strategic Financial Management, Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics, Corporate and Economic Laws, Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation, Risk Management, Financial Services and Capital Markets, International Taxation, Economic Laws, Global Financial Reporting Standards, Multidisciplinary Case Study, Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation and Indirect Tax Laws.

CA Final Group 2: Financial Reporting, Strategic Financial Management, Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics, Corporate and Allied Laws, Advanced Management Accounting, Information Systems Control and Audit, Direct Tax Laws, Indirect Tax Laws

If a candidate is unable to clear the CA Final course exam in the first attempt, they can reappear. The initial registration for Final Course is valid for five years, which means each candidate gets 10 attempts. After five years, they can register again for the next five years. The certificate to practice Chartered Accountancy as a profession is given to any student by the ICAI only after they clear the final level. Irrespective of the number of attempts they have made to clear it. Until they clear the CA Final level and get the certificate, they cannot practice as a professional.

It is not easy to crack CA Final by self study as one needs guidance and mentorship at various stages of preparation. Most of the CA students opt for coaching as it helps them study in a disciplined and dedicated manner. However, one can also crack the CA Final course level by self-study, if they are determined, dedicated and disciplined in their preparation. Also refer to the study material provided by the ICAI. To prepare by self study, one will need to first set clear goals, make a study time table and prioritise subjects. They will need to allocate a good number of hours daily to study. Practice test and revision are integral part of exam preparation, so the practice a good number of previous years question papers and sample papers.

Yes, students need to carry an ID proof along with the CA Final admit card on the exam day. The ID proof should be issued by the government of India. Given below are the ID proofs that the student can carry along with the CA Final exam admit card. Candidates can carry an original copy of any of these:

·       Aadhaar card

·       Voter ID card

·       PAN card

·       Passport

·       Driving license

CA Final exam had been conducted twice in a year. From 2025 onwards the CA Final exam will be held in September as well. Thus, going forward, there will be three CA Final sessions in a year - January, May and September.

Eligibility criteria for the session depends on candidate's current stage in the CA course. Candidates can repeat the papers in the next session only if he/she meets the criteria. Registration for CA Final May exams start in March and for CA Final September exams, it starts in August. The window to register for CA Final January exam will open in November.  

If you have forgotten your login password for ICAI account, you can create a new one by visiting the eservices website and using the 'forgot password' option.

CA Final is the last course level but the toughest one. The syllabus of ICAI CA Final course includes the following topics:

• Financial Reporting
• Strategic Financial Management
• Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics
• Corporate and Economic Laws
• Strategic Cost Management and Performance Evaluation
• Risk Management
• Financial Services and Capital Markets
• International Taxation
• Economic Laws
• Global Financial Reporting Standards
• Multidisciplinary Case Study
• Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation
• Indirect Tax Laws

The minimum passing marks in this course level is all 40 per cent per paper.

The CA Final exams are conducted in the afternoon. Check the below table for timings:

The exam pattern of every CA course is prescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The agency is responsible for designing the CA courses and conducting the examinations as well as awarding the CA certification in India for professional practice. They also decide the exam mode, duration, timing, questions, marking scheme, passing marks and test process. Once the candidate completes the CA course from ICAI, they are ready to practice Chartered Accountancy professionally. 

The paper-wise pattern of CA course levels is different from each other. Some papers are of 2 hours duration whereas some are of 3 hours duration.

CA exams for all the three levels are being held thrice in a year from 2025. The first phase exams are held in May and June and the second phase exams are held in September. The third phase exam is held in January. Registrations for the May-June exams is held in February-March and registrations for September exam is done in July and registration for January exam is done in October-November. Candidates can register and appear for the exam as per their preparation and articleship completion. For any phase of exam, they need to fill the form and pay exam fee through registered login ID.