Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for CA Foundation & Intermediate September 2026

The clock is ticking and if you're eyeing the CA Foundation or CA Intermediate September 2026 exams, every decision you make right now matters. From registration deadlines that have already passed to exam form windows opening in July, missing even one date could push your attempt by months. Whether you're a first-timer trying to decode the ICAI process or a repeat aspirant fine-tuning your strategy, this comprehensive FAQ guide has you covered. We've compiled the 19 most frequently asked questions about the CA September 2026 exam cycle all verified against the latest ICAI notifications so you can stop second-guessing and start preparing with confidence.

1. What is the registration deadline for the CA Foundation and Intermediate September 2026 exams?

The course registration deadline for both CA Foundation and CA Intermediate was May 1, 2026. Students must have completed their registration by this date to be eligible for the September 2026 exam cycle.

Important: If you missed this deadline, you will not be able to appear for the September 2026 exams and will need to register for a future attempt.

2. How do I submit the exam form for CA September 2026?

Students must fill out their exam form through the Self Service Portal (SSP) on the official ICAI website (icai.org). The exam form submission window is:

• Without late fee: July 6 to July 19, 2026
• With late fee (₹600): July 20 to July 22, 2026

Double-check all details before submitting, as changes can only be made during the dedicated correction window.

3. When will the CA Foundation and Intermediate September 2026 exams be held?

CA Foundation Exam Dates (September 2026):

CA Intermediate Exam Dates (September 2026):

All papers are conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

4. What is the passing criteria for CA Foundation and Intermediate exams?

To pass, students must score:

• At least 40% marks in each individual paper
• At least 50% marks in aggregate across all papers

Additionally, if you score 60% or more in any single paper, you will be granted a permanent exemption for that paper in future attempts. However, you must still pass the remaining papers to clear the exam overall.

5. Is there any negative marking in the CA exams?

Under the new ICAI scheme, the CA Foundation has negative marking only in its objective papers:

• Paper 3 (Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning) and Paper 4 (Business Economics) carry a deduction of 0.25 marks per wrong answer

For CA Intermediate, there is no negative marking in the MCQ portions under the current scheme.

Note: If you are appearing under an older scheme, verify the pattern applicable to you directly on the ICAI website.

6. What are the high-weightage topics to focus on?

For CA Foundation:

• Accounting: Partnership accounts, Depreciation, Accounting Standards
• Business Laws: Indian Contract Act, Sale of Goods Act, Negotiable Instruments Act
• Business Mathematics: Time Value of Money, Algebra
• Business Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics

For CA Intermediate:

• Advanced Accounting: Accounting Standards, Company Accounts
• Corporate and Other Laws: Companies Act, LLP Act, FEMA
• Cost and Management Accounting: Costing methods, Variance Analysis
• Taxation: Income Tax Law (including provisions of the New Income Tax Act), GST

7. What are the best study materials for CA September 2026 exams?

ICAI's official study materials and practice manuals are the primary and most reliable resources. Supplementary books for additional practice:

CA Foundation:

• T.S. Grewal — Accounting
• P.C. Tulsian & Bharat Tulsian — Business Mathematics
• Bharat Tulsian — Business Economics

CA Intermediate:

• T.S. Grewal — Advanced Accounting
• Bharat Tulsian — Corporate Laws
• Surbhi Bansal — Auditing (along with ICAI Practice Manuals)

8. How can I prepare for the CA exams in 3 months?

Three months is tight but doable with a disciplined approach:

• Build a timetable: Break the syllabus into sections and allocate time per topic daily
• Prioritize high-weightage topics: Focus on areas that carry the most marks first
• Take mock tests: ICAI offers free mock test series on the BoS Knowledge Portal use them extensively
• Revise regularly: Weekly revision of completed topics prevents forgetting
• Avoid distractions: Treat your study schedule like a job fixed hours, no negotiations

9. When can I download the CA September 2026 admit card?

The admit card for CA Foundation and Intermediate September 2026 exams will be available for download on the ICAI SSP portal. ICAI does not send physical copies by post students must download and print it themselves.

Ensure you verify all details on the admit card immediately after downloading. In case of errors, contact the ICAI help desk promptly.

10. What documents must I carry to the exam center?

On exam day, carry the following:

• Printed admit card (downloaded from the ICAI SSP portal)
• Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, Passport, or Voter ID)
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• ICAI-approved calculator
• Any other documents as specified in the ICAI guidelines

11. Can I use a calculator during the CA exams?

Yes. ICAI permits the use of ICAI-approved, basic non-programmable calculators during both CA Foundation and Intermediate exams. Scientific calculators are not allowed. Check the ICAI website for the approved calculator list before exam day to avoid any issues at the center.

12. How do I apply for the exam form correction window?

If there are errors in your submitted exam form, you can make corrections between July 23 to July 25, 2026. During this window, you can modify:

• Exam center
• Group selection
• Medium (English or Hindi)

Note: Personal details (name, date of birth, etc.) cannot be changed during the correction window. No fee is charged for corrections made within this period.

13. When will the CA September 2026 results be announced?

Based on past ICAI patterns, results are typically declared approximately 45 days after the last exam date:

• CA Foundation Result: Expected in late October or early November 2026
• CA Intermediate Result: Expected in early November 2026 (for both Group 1 and Group 2)

Disclaimer: These are estimates based on historical trends. Official result dates will be announced by ICAI separately.

14. Can I appear for CA Foundation and Intermediate exams simultaneously?

No. Students cannot appear for both CA Foundation and CA Intermediate in the same attempt. You must clear CA Foundation first before becoming eligible to register for CA Intermediate. After clearing Foundation, you can register for Intermediate in the next available attempt.

15. What is the exemption rule under the new ICAI scheme?

Under the new scheme, students who score 60% or more in any individual paper are granted a permanent exemption from that paper in future attempts. However, to pass the exam overall, students must clear the remaining papers with a minimum of 40% per paper and 50% in aggregate.

16. Are there special provisions for students with disabilities?

Yes. ICAI provides accommodations for students with disabilities, including extra time during exams and other necessary provisions. To avail of these:

• Apply through the ICAI portal
• Submit supporting medical documents
• Ensure the request is submitted before the exam form deadline

17. How can I manage exam stress and stay focused?

CA exam pressure is real here's how to handle it:

• Break your syllabus into small, daily achievable goals
• Practice meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to manage anxiety
• Exercise regularly to maintain energy levels
• Stick to a study timetable and take short, scheduled breaks
• Stay away from negative peer groups during exam season
• Remind yourself: consistent daily effort beats last-minute cramming every time

18. Is the CA exam conducted online or offline?

All CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams are conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode at designated ICAI examination centers across India and select overseas locations.

19. Quick Reference: All Key CA September 2026 Dates at a Glance

Conclusion

The CA September 2026 exam journey is all about staying ahead of deadlines, studying smart, and keeping your head in the game. Now that you have all the key facts in one place from ICAI's official exam dates and form submission windows to passing criteria and preparation strategies there's no room for confusion. Bookmark this page, share it with fellow CA aspirants, and check back for updates as ICAI releases new notifications. Your CA dream is closer than you think now go make it happen.