ICAI CA January 2026 Results: Dates, Delays, and “What Next”

The January 2026 examination cycle represents a pivotal moment in the history of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Marking the shift to the thrice-a-year examination pattern (January, May, September), this cycle offers students more flexibility but also tighter turnaround times between attempts.

As the exam window draws to a close, anxiety regarding results is natural. This detailed guide covers everything from the “Paper 5” rescheduling impact to post-result career strategies.

The Exam Timeline: A Status Check

Unlike previous years where exams ended uniformly, the Jan 2026 cycle has seen a staggered conclusion due to unforeseen scheduling changes.

The “Paper 5” Variable:

The rescheduling of the Auditing and Ethics paper (Intermediate) from January 19 to January 31 is the single biggest factor influencing result dates.

• Impact: This pushes the start of the valuation process for Intermediate papers back by nearly two weeks.
• Result Split: It is highly probable that CA Final results will be declared significantly earlier than CA Intermediate results this cycle, breaking the tradition of simultaneous declarations.

Predicted Result Dates

Based on ICAI’s standard processing time of 40–50 days, here is the forecasted schedule.

CA Final Results

• Calculation: 45 days from Jan 16.
• Expected Window: March 2 – March 6, 2026
• Why: ICAI prioritizes Final results to align with the Campus Placement Programs that typically begin in late March or April.

CA Foundation Results

• Calculation: ~40 days from Jan 24.
• Expected Window: March 2 – March 8, 2026
• Why: Foundation papers (especially the objective ones) are processed faster. These results often accompany the Final results.

CA Intermediate Results

• Calculation: 45 days from Jan 31.
• Expected Window: March 15 – March 20, 2026
• Why: The manual valuation of descriptive answers for the delayed Paper 5 cannot begin until early February, pushing the entire timeline back.

Historical Pass Trends: What to Expect?

While every attempt is unique, analyzing the trend from the previous Nov/May 2025 cycles helps set realistic expectations.

• CA Final: Pass percentages have hovered between 9% and 11% for both groups, and 18-25% for single groups. The “New Scheme” focus on multidisciplinary case studies has slightly tightened the scoring in Group 2.
• CA Intermediate: Typically sees a pass rate of 10-15% for both groups.
• CA Foundation: The entry-level barrier usually remains around 25-30%.

Pro Tip: Do not rely on rumors of “grace marks.” ICAI’s moderation policy is opaque and based on the relative difficulty of specific papers (like the reportedly tough Advanced Accounting paper this Jan).

How to Check Your Result

On result day, the servers will face heavy load.

1. Primary Link: https://icai.nic.in/ca-result/
2. Alternative: Keep an eye on the official Twitter handle of ICAI council members, who often leak the specific time of declaration (usually 11:00 AM or 4:00 PM IST) a few hours prior.
3. Required Details: Roll Number + Registration Number (PIN is no longer mandatory for all levels, but keep it handy).

The “What Next” Roadmap

Scenario A: You Cleared the Exam!

• For CA Final:
  • Register for Membership: Apply immediately to get your ACA designation.
  • Campus Placement: Registration usually opens within 1 week of results. Prepare your CV now.
  • Convocation: Invites will be sent for the mid-year ceremony.
• For CA Intermediate:
  • Articleship: If you cleared both groups, start your hunt for a firm. The “Big 4” often close applications within 2 weeks of results.
  • IT/OC Training: If pending, complete your ICITSS training immediately to be eligible for articleship registration.
• For CA Foundation:
  • Register for Inter: You must register for the Intermediate Course to catch the September 2026 attempt. (May 2026 might be too tight or ineligible depending on the cutoff date, usually requiring an 8-month study period).

Scenario B: You Need to Try Again

• Immediate Action: Apply for Certified Copies (Inspection). Seeing how ICAI marked your answers is more valuable than blind studying.
• The “May” Advantage: With the new thrice-a-year cycle, you don’t have to wait 6 months.
  • Exam Form Window: Likely to open in late March.
  • Strategy: If you failed by a small margin (e.g., 190/400), focus on practice manuals and RTPs (Revision Test Papers). If the gap is huge (e.g., 120/400), consider skipping the immediate May attempt to prepare solidly for September.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: Will the Jan 2026 results mention “Rank Holders”?

A: Yes. Despite the frequency of exams increasing to three times a year, ICAI continues to award All India Ranks (AIR 1-50) for all three sessions.

Q: If I pass Foundation in Jan 2026, can I give Inter in May 2026?

A: No. The study period requirement (8 months) generally makes you eligible for the September 2026 or January 2027 attempt. Check the specific cut-off date in the result notification.

Q: Can I apply for verification if I fail Paper 5 (Auditing) specifically?

A: Yes. Since it was the delayed paper, ensure you check the specific verification window dates for Inter, as they might differ from Final/Foundation.

Final Word of Advice

The period between exams and results is the only “guilt-free” time a CA student gets. Use the next 40 days to recover from burnout. Whether you are learning a new tech skill (like AI in Finance) or simply catching up on sleep, make it count.