The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) recently announced important updates for candidates preparing for the Chartered Accountant (CA) examinations scheduled for May 2025. These updates inform candidates about application requirements, eligibility criteria, mock test schedules, and examination dates.
Before applying, candidates must confirm their eligibility through the ICAI’s Self Service Portal (SSP). This precaution is meant to help candidates submit their applications smoothly. Aspiring Chartered Accountants must access the SSP to check their status and fulfill the prerequisites.
To apply successfully, candidates are advised to pay attention to the following points:
- Possession of valid SSP login credentials is mandatory. If candidates do not yet have these, they need to visit the e-service portal to create them.
- Ensuring the validity of course registration is also necessary, particularly for those whose registrations may have lapsed, as they must convert their registration on the SSP.
The course codes for conversions are as follows: For Intermediate candidates, the applicable codes are NEWINT23 or CONINT23, whereas Foundation candidates must use NEWFND23 or CONFND23. This conversion can be completed by logging onto the SSP and accessing the Student Functions feature.
Another important aspect of the application is updating the candidate's photograph and signature on the SSP. Candidates are required to upload images of acceptable quality for these documents, as specified under the guidelines. Students who haven’t met the quality standards must take corrective actions before submitting their examination forms.
Intermediate candidates are also reminded to verify their group registrations, ensuring they are registered for the correct groups they plan to attempt.
Support is readily available for clarifying any confusion or corrections needed during the application process. Candidates can raise tickets on the SSP or reach out to the support emails provided: Foundation ([email protected]) or Intermediate ([email protected]).
For Foundation course aspirants, the ICAI mandates registration by January 1, 2025. Candidates converting from CPT to Foundation course must have their applications prepared as they complete their registration. To qualify for the exam, candidates should either upload their 12th-grade marks or their admit card as proof of eligibility.
For Intermediate candidates, registration requires eight months of study by the exam date set for May 1, 2025, necessitating the registration be completed by September 1, 2024.
But that's not all—the ICAI has also released details on the mock test schedules for both CA Intermediate and CA Final candidates. The Mock Test Papers Series, which serves as practice exams leading up to the main examination, is structured as follows:
For CA Intermediate:
- Mock Test Series I: March 8, 2025
- Mock Test Series II: March 26, 2025
For CA Final:
- Mock Test Series I: March 10, 2025
- Mock Test Series II: April 3, 2025
To take part in these mock tests, students need to log onto the BOS Knowledge Portal at boslive.icai.org. Series I and II will cover all subjects, ranging from Advanced Accounting to Integrated Business Solutions, giving candidates hands-on practice with the kind of paper they can expect on exam day.
Looking at the examination dates, the CA Intermediate exams are scheduled from May 3 to May 14, 2025, whereas the CA Final exams are set to occur from May 2 to May 13, 2025. The Foundation exams will take place on May 15, 17, 19, and 21, allowing candidates to register starting March 1, 2025. The deadline to submit applications without late fees is April 4, 2025, and candidates can expect to receive their admit cards approximately 15 days prior to the examinations.
Those awaiting results from the January 2025 exams can anticipate results being announced around February 2025, and they will be able to check their status online. The marksheets will contain important information such as the candidate’s name, roll number, examination name, subject-wise marks, and overall results.
Final Thoughts: The ICAI updates serve not just as reminders, but as comprehensive guides for candidates aiming to navigate their CA exam preparations efficiently. With clear instructions available through the Self Service Portal, as well as structured mock test opportunities, candidates can bolster their readiness for the upcoming challenges. Proper planning and adherence to the ICAI's directives will help aspiring Chartered Accountants achieve their educational goals.