ICAI Invites Applications for Observer Role in CA Sept and Nov 2026 Exams; Honorarium up to Rs 5,000 Per Session

The Examination Department of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued an announcement dated May 26, 2026, proposing the empanelment of members to act as Observers for the CA September and November 2026 examinations.

To be eligible for empanelment to act as Observer, candidates should not be older than 65 years of age as of June 1, 2026, and their names should be on the ICAI Register of Members as of March 1, 2024, and continue to be so. Applicants should not have any relatives or dependents appearing in the upcoming CA September and November 2026 examinations and must not be involved in coaching CA (Chartered Accountant) students. ICAI has clarified that members who have completed three consecutive observer assignments will have to undergo a cooling-off period of one examination attempt before becoming eligible again.

Selected candidates will be paid an honorarium of Rs 5,000 per day or per session, along with Rs 500 per day as conveyance reimbursement. Their duties will include supervising the handling and distribution of question papers, verifying candidate identity randomly, and ensuring proper packing and dispatch of answer sheets after examinations.

Interested, eligible and willing candidates can apply for the aforementioned role online through the ICAI Observer Portal between June 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026. The ICAI has clarified that “Kindly note that, the Examination Committee in its 648th Meeting held on 8th and 9th MAY 2024 among others has decided that there should be a cooling off period for one attempt after (3) three consecutive attempts for Observership duties.”

ICAI September-November Examinations 2026: Official Schedule

As per the announcement, the following are the official schedules of ICAI Next September-November 2026 examinations:

ICAI CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final Examinations 2026:

• The ICAI CA Intermediate September 2026 Examinations will be held on 1st, 3rd & 6th September 2026 for Group I and on 8th, 10th & 12th September 2026 for Group II.
• The ICAI CA Foundation September 2026 Examinations will be held on 2nd, 5th, 7th & 9th September 2026.
• The ICAI Final Examinations 2026 are scheduled to be held on 2nd, 4th & 6th November 2026, and on 9th, 11th & 13th November 2026 for Groups I and II, respectively.

ICAI Post Qualification Course Examinations 2026:

• The International Taxation – Assessment Test (INTT – AT) Examination 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 11th & 13th November 2026.
• The Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) Technical Examination 2026 will be held on 6th, 9th, 11th & 13th November 2026 for Modules I to IV.