The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially released the hall tickets for the upcoming CA Foundation Examination scheduled for January 2026. Alongside, the accounting body has issued a comprehensive set of critical guidelines for candidates across all three levels – Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. The institute has underscored that entry into the examination hall will be strictly contingent on compliance with administrative protocols, not just academic preparation.
CA Foundation 2026: Eligibility and Document Upload Deadlines
For the January 2026 CA Foundation exam, ICAI has reiterated its eligibility framework with a strong focus on documentation. Aspirants must have registered for the Foundation Course on or before September 1, 2025. Candidates who transitioned from the old CPT system remain eligible if the conversion was finalized before submitting the exam form.
The Class 12 qualification requirement is under sharp focus. Students who have already passed their Senior Secondary exams from a recognized board must upload their marksheet on the Self Service Portal (SSP). Those appearing for their Class 12 board exams, with results expected by December 2025, can apply but must upload their board admit card initially.
ICAI has issued a stern warning to provisional applicants: the mandatory Class 12 passing certificate or marksheet must be uploaded on the SSP by December 1, 2025. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the candidate not receiving their Foundation admit card.
Intermediate & Final Exams: Scrutiny on Validity and Details
For the CA Intermediate examination, the institute is emphasizing course validity and SSP authentication. Candidates must verify that their Intermediate registration has not expired. If the validity has lapsed, revalidation or course conversion must be completed well in advance of the exams.
ICAI has also instructed Intermediate candidates to check the quality of their photographs and signatures on the portal. Sub-standard images that fail to meet printing norms could create issues with admit cards or mark sheets and must be corrected on the SSP immediately.
For those at the final stage, ICAI has warned that procedural errors will not be tolerated. CA Final candidates must ensure their course status, personal details, and uploaded documents are accurate and up-to-date. Any non-routine corrections must be formally requested through a ticket raised on the SSP, as requests made outside the official portal will not be entertained.
ICAI's Universal Advisory: Verify Early, Avoid Last-Minute Hurdles
Across all levels, ICAI's message is clear: act with urgency and diligence. Candidates are urged to download their admit cards as soon as possible and scrutinize every detail. Those encountering login problems should use the 'forgot password' feature rather than creating new registrations.
As the January 2026 exam cycle approaches, the institute's directive is unambiguous. Administrative discipline is paramount. A missed upload deadline or an unchecked detail on the SSP can simply bar a candidate from entering the examination hall, irrespective of their preparation level.
