The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced a change in the schedule for the Chartered Accountants Final Examination, November 2024, in light of the Diwali (Deepavali) festival. This rescheduling affects both Group I and Group II exam dates, giving CA aspirants more time to prepare and celebrate the festival. This blog provides the updated exam dates and key information to ensure students stay informed and prepared.
Revised Exam Dates
In view of Diwali celebrations across India, the ICAI has shifted the CA Final exam dates. Here are the new dates for the CA Final November 2024 Examination:
- Group I: 3rd, 5th, and 7th November 2024
- Group II: 9th, 11th, and 13th November 2024
This update provides students with an extended window for preparation, while also accommodating the festive season. The exam schedule for Post Qualification Course (PQC) exams in International Taxation-Assessment Test (INTT-AT) and Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) remains unchanged and will proceed as per the original schedule in November 2024.
No Changes in Case of Public Holidays
ICAI has also clarified that there will be no further changes to the exam schedule, even if any of the revised dates fall on a public holiday declared by the Central or State Government. This means students should prepare to sit for the exams as per the revised timetable, regardless of any potential public holiday conflicts.
Why This Matters for CA Aspirants
With the shift in exam dates, students now have a few extra days to focus on their exam preparation. For many CA aspirants, this adjustment comes as a relief, offering more time to revise key subjects or complete any remaining portions of the syllabus. It also allows students to celebrate Diwali without the stress of conflicting exam schedules.
For students preparing for their Post Qualification Courses (PQC) in International Taxation or Insurance and Risk Management, it’s important to note that their schedules remain unchanged. This means those sitting for both CA Finals and PQC exams will need to plan their studies accordingly.
Key Points for Students
- Extended Preparation Time: The rescheduling offers additional preparation time, especially between Group I and Group II exams.
- Festive Season Balance: Students can now balance their Diwali celebrations with their exam schedule.
- No Public Holiday Consideration: Exams will proceed as per the revised schedule, even if any of the dates fall on public holidays.
- No Change in PQC Exams: Students taking the International Taxation or IRM exams should be mindful that their schedules remain unchanged.
When changes to examination schedules occur, ICAI is well within its regulatory rights as governed by the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988. In previous instances, such as the rescheduling of exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ICAI has followed similar procedures to ensure transparency and minimal disruption to students’ schedules. No legal challenges or significant disputes have emerged from such changes, further solidifying ICAI’s approach to accommodating unforeseen circumstances like public holidays or festivals.
Conclusion
The rescheduling of the CA Final November 2024 exams due to Diwali is a thoughtful adjustment by ICAI, allowing students to balance their academic goals with the festive season. With these new dates, CA aspirants should take advantage of the additional preparation time while ensuring they are fully prepared for their exams.
For the latest updates, students are advised to stay connected with ICAI’s official website www.icai.org.