The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially removed the names of more than 1,200 Chartered Accountants from its Register of Members for failure to pay the prescribed membership fees.
The decision has been published through an Extraordinary Gazette Notification dated March 21, 2026, and released in the Gazette of India on April 24, 2026.
The action has been taken by the ICAI Council under Section 20(1)(c) of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 read with Regulation 18 of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988. According to the notification, the members’ names have been removed from the register with effect from November 1, 2023, due to non-payment of prescribed fees.
The notification contains an extensive list of affected members along with their registration numbers. The list spans hundreds of pages and includes Chartered Accountants from different parts of the country.
This move signals ICAI's continued emphasis on professional compliance and timely renewal of membership obligations. Under the Chartered Accountants Act, payment of annual membership fees is mandatory for retaining active membership status and continuing professional practice.
For many professionals, removal from the Register of Members can have serious consequences. A person whose name is removed may not be entitled to practice as a Chartered Accountant, use the CA designation professionally, or sign audit and attestation reports unless membership is restored in accordance with ICAI rules.
Experts say the action also serves as a reminder for professionals to regularly verify their membership status and ensure that statutory dues are cleared within prescribed timelines.
The Gazette notification specifically states that the action was initiated because the concerned members "had not paid the prescribed fees."
The development is expected to attract significant attention within the accounting and taxation community, especially among practicing professionals, firms and students preparing to enter the profession.
ICAI periodically updates its Register of Members and may restore membership subject to compliance with applicable procedures, payment of dues, penalties, and other conditions prescribed under the regulations.
Professionals and stakeholders can refer to the official Gazette notification for the complete list of affected members and detailed legal references.
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