The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released an official notification outlining the eligibility requirements and procedural guidelines for students applying to the Foundation and Intermediate examinations scheduled for January 2026.
According to the announcement, candidates must ensure their eligibility status on the Self Service Portal (SSP) before filling out their exam forms. The Institute has emphasized that only those with valid course registrations and updated personal details will be able to complete the process smoothly.
Key Requirements for Foundation Course Applicants
- Students must be registered in the Foundation Course on or before September 1, 2025.
- Those who have switched from CPT to Foundation must ensure their conversion is completed on the SSP before applying.
- Candidates should have appeared for or passed the Class 12 Board Examination from a recognized board and upload the admit card or marksheet on the SSP.
Eligibility for Intermediate Course Applicants
For the Intermediate January 2026 Exam, candidates must have completed at least eight months of study as on January 1, 2026, meaning registration must have been completed on or before May 1, 2025. Additionally, students must be registered under the appropriate course codes-NEWINT23 or CONINT23-to qualify.
Photograph and Signature Specifications
ICAI has reiterated strict photo and signature upload requirements to ensure quality and uniformity in exam documentation.
- Photos must have 80% face visibility, a white background, and be uploaded in JPEG format (20-50 KB).
- Signatures should be done on white paper using black ink and uploaded in JPEG format (10-20 KB).
Support and Helplines
For exam form-related issues, candidates can reach out to:
- Foundation: foundation_examhelpline@icai.in
- Intermediate: intermediate_examhelpline@icai.in
For SSP-related queries or corrections, students can contact hossp@icai.in or ssp.helpdesk@icai.in.
The Institute has urged all candidates to complete their verifications and updates well before the form-filling window opens, ensuring a seamless examination process.
Official copy of the notification has been attached
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