CA Foundation & Intermediate September 2026 Exams Start This Week: Date Sheet and Last-Minute Strategy

CA Exams Are Almost Here — Here's the Full Picture

The ICAI examination calendar for the September–November 2026 cycle is now out, and for thousands of CA Foundation and CA Intermediate students across India, the countdown has reached its final hours.

CA Intermediate Paper 1 begins on 1 September 2026 and CA Foundation Paper 1 begins on 2 September 2026 — which means exams start this week.

This article gives you the complete paper-wise date sheet along with a practical, no-fluff revision and exam-day plan for the last stretch.

CA Foundation September 2026 Exam Date Sheet

Admit cards for CA Foundation September 2026 were released in the third week of August 2026 and are downloadable from the SSP portal.

CA Intermediate September 2026 Exam Date Sheet

Students appearing for only one group should refer to their group's papers within this schedule; both groups share the same overall exam window from 1 to 12 September 2026.

CA Final November 2026 — For Students Preparing Ahead

For CA Intermediate students who are already eyeing the next milestone, CA Final exams under the twice-a-year cycle are scheduled from 2 to 13 November 2026, with admit cards expected in the third week of October 2026.

Keep this on your calendar even while you focus on the immediate September papers.

Last-Minute Revision Strategy: The Final 48 Hours

Do This

• Revise, don't relearn: Go through your own summary notes, formula sheets and amendment lists — this is not the time to open a new chapter.
• Prioritise high-weightage areas: For Advanced Accounting and Taxation, revisit standard problems on partnership, amalgamation, and computation of total income. For Auditing and Law, revise definitions and section numbers in your own words.
• One full-length paper attempt: If time allows, attempt one previous-year question paper under timed conditions to reset your exam-hall rhythm.
• Sleep on time: A tired brain forgets faster than it recalls. Prioritise 6–7 hours of sleep before each paper over one extra hour of revision.
• Recheck admit card details: Verify your exam centre, roll number, and reporting time today — not on the morning of the exam.

Avoid This

• Starting a new topic or a chapter you have never attempted a question from.
• Comparing your preparation with classmates on the group chat the night before — it only adds anxiety.
• Skipping meals or overloading on caffeine on exam day.
• Leaving stationery, admit card, or ID proof arrangement for the last minute.

Exam Day Checklist (As Per ICAI Guidelines)

• Admit card (printed) and original photo ID proof.
• Black/blue ball-point pens, a basic (non-programmable) calculator where permitted, geometry box if needed.
• Reach the exam centre at least 45–60 minutes before the reporting time printed on your admit card.
• Mobile phones and smart watches are not allowed inside the examination hall — check the latest prohibited-items list on your admit card before leaving home.
• Carry a transparent water bottle and any permitted personal medication with prior documentation if applicable.

Subject-Wise Quick Tips

CA Foundation

• Accounting: Attempt every practical problem — presentation and correct formats fetch part-marks even with minor errors.
• Business Laws: Quote relevant section names where you remember them; if unsure of the number, explain the provision correctly in your own words.
• Maths & Stats: Show all working steps — many marks are allotted for method, not only the final answer.
• Economics: Use diagrams wherever the question allows; label axes and curves clearly.

CA Intermediate

• Advanced Accounting & Taxation: Practical questions carry the bulk of marks — revise formats and computation layouts, not just concepts.
• Corporate Laws & Auditing: Structure answers with clear headings (Provision → Application → Conclusion) for better presentation marks.
• Costing & Financial Management: Keep formula sheets handy until the last hour; many numericals are formula-driven and time-sensitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When do CA Intermediate September 2026 exams start?

CA Intermediate September 2026 exams start on 1 September 2026 with Paper 1 (Advanced Accounting) and continue through 12 September 2026 for Paper 6.

Q. When do CA Foundation September 2026 exams start?

CA Foundation September 2026 exams start on 2 September 2026 with Paper 1 (Principles and Practice of Accounting) and conclude on 9 September 2026 with Paper 4 (Business Economics).

Q. When were CA Foundation and Intermediate admit cards released?

Admit cards for the September 2026 cycle were released in the third week of August 2026 on the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP).

Q. What are the CA Final November 2026 exam dates?

CA Final November 2026 exams are scheduled from 2 to 13 November 2026, as part of ICAI's twice-a-year exam cycle.

Q. Is it useful to attempt a mock test in the last two days before the exam?

A single timed attempt at a previous-year paper can help reset exam-hall rhythm and highlight any last-minute formula gaps, but avoid attempting a full new mock series this close to the exam — focus on revision instead.

Q. What should I do if I lose my admit card just before the exam?

Re-download and print it immediately from the ICAI SSP portal using your login credentials; do not wait until exam morning to check this.

Q. Are mobile phones allowed inside the CA exam hall?

No. Mobile phones, smart watches and other electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited inside ICAI examination halls; always check the specific prohibited-items list mentioned on your admit card.