The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially announced a significant change to the CA Final examination schedule, moving from three attempts a year to just two. Effective from May 2026, the January exam cycle will be permanently discontinued after the January 2026 session. This decision comes in response to feedback from students and industry experts, who expressed concerns about the intense preparation required under the previous model. By limiting the exams to May and November, ICAI aims to provide candidates with more time for thorough revision and to better manage their studies alongside mandatory articleship commitments. This shift is also seen as a step towards standardization in professional education, aligning CA Final exams with other biannual professional qualifications. However, candidates will need to be more strategic in planning their attempts, as missing an exam session will result in a longer wait for the next opportunity.