The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued detailed eligibility and application requirements for candidates planning to appear in the CA Foundation and Intermediate examinations scheduled for January 2027. The guidelines highlight the course registration deadlines, eligibility conditions, Self Service Portal (SSP) requirements and document specifications that students must fulfil before submitting their examination forms.
ICAI has advised candidates to verify their registration status and ensure that their details are updated on the SSP portal well before applying. Students with expired course registrations, outdated photographs or signatures, or incomplete academic records may need to complete the necessary updates before proceeding with the examination application.
The instructions are particularly important for students preparing for the January 2027 attempt, as meeting the prescribed eligibility conditions is essential for successfully submitting the examination form.
ICAI CA Foundation January 2027 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates intending to appear for the CA Foundation January 2027 examination must satisfy the following conditions:
- Course registration deadline: Candidates must have registered for the Foundation Course on or before 1 September 2026.
- Course conversion: Candidates who were registered under the earlier CPT scheme must have completed the required conversion to the Foundation Course by the date of filling out the examination form.
- Class 12 examination or qualification: Candidates must have either appeared in the Class 12 examination conducted by a recognised board or passed Class 12 from a recognised board.
- Supporting documents: Candidates who have appeared in the Class 12 examination must upload their Class 12 admit card to SSP. Those who have passed Class 12 must upload their marksheet.
Students should confirm that their academic details and supporting documents are properly reflected on the portal before starting the application process.
ICAI CA Intermediate January 2027 Eligibility Criteria
For the CA Intermediate January 2027 examination, ICAI has prescribed an eight-month study period as of the first day of the examination month.
Accordingly, candidates must have registered for the Intermediate Course on or before 1 May 2026 to meet the eligibility requirement for the January 2027 examination.
Candidates should also verify that their SSP dashboard reflects the correct course registration and that they are registered for the group or groups in which they intend to appear.
Students who are eligible academically but have not completed the necessary course conversion or registration updates should address these issues before submitting the examination form.
Check SSP Login and Course Registration Status
ICAI has advised all candidates to ensure that they have valid login credentials for the Self Service Portal. Students who do not have an SSP login can create one through the official portal.
Candidates whose course registration has lapsed should check whether conversion or revalidation is required before proceeding.
The prescribed course codes for January 2027 are:
| Course | Applicable course codes |
|---|---|
| CA Foundation | NEWFND23 or CONFND23 |
| CA Intermediate | NEWINT23 or CONINT23 |
Candidates whose SSP dashboard displays a different course code must convert to the applicable new course before applying for the January 2027 examination. ICAI has stated that no fee is required for this course conversion.
The conversion process can be completed through the SSP dashboard by navigating to Student Functions, Student Module, Course Registration and the option to apply for conversion from the old course to the new course.
Photograph Requirements for CA Exam Forms
ICAI has prescribed specific requirements for photographs uploaded through SSP. Candidates should ensure that their photographs meet the following standards:
- The photograph may be coloured or black and white.
- Approximately 80% of the face must be visible, including the ears, without a face mask.
- The background must be white, with clear contrast.
- The candidate should face the camera with a relaxed, straight-looking expression.
- Caps and goggles are not permitted, although spectacles are allowed. Religious headwear is permitted provided it does not cover the face.
- Selfies are not allowed.
- The photograph must be scanned and saved in JPG or JPEG format, with a file size of 20 KB to 50 KB.
- The image must be properly cropped without unnecessary white space.
- The photograph must fit the prescribed dimensions of 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm.
Candidates should upload a clear and compliant photograph because the image may be printed on their marksheets.
Signature Requirements for ICAI January 2027 Exams
The signature uploaded to SSP must also comply with ICAI's prescribed specifications.
Candidates should sign on plain white paper using a black pen. The scanned signature must be clear, properly cropped and saved in JPG or JPEG format.
The file size should be between 10 KB and 20 KB, and the signature must fit within the prescribed dimensions of 6 cm × 2 cm.
Students should check the uploaded image carefully to ensure that it is legible and contains no unnecessary white spaces.
How to Resolve SSP and Examination Form Issues
Candidates facing problems with course registration, course conversion, photographs, signatures or other details should resolve them before submitting their examination forms.
ICAI has provided the following email addresses for assistance:
- CA Foundation examination queries: foundation_examhelpline@icai.in
- CA Intermediate examination queries: intermediate_examhelpline@icai.in
- SSP portal issues and other corrections: hossp@icai.in and ssp.helpdesk@icai.in
Candidates may also raise a support ticket through the SSP portal for issues related to their account or registration details.
Important Checklist for CA Foundation and Intermediate Aspirants
Before applying for the January 2027 examinations, candidates should:
- Confirm that their SSP login credentials are working.
- Verify that their course registration is valid and the course code is correct.
- Complete any required course conversion or revalidation.
- Check the applicable registration cut-off date for their course.
- Ensure that the required Class 12 admit card or marksheet is uploaded for Foundation eligibility.
- Confirm group-wise registration details for Intermediate.
- Upload a compliant photograph and signature.
- Review all details on SSP before submitting the examination form.
Conclusion
ICAI's January 2027 examination guidelines make it important for CA Foundation and Intermediate candidates to complete their eligibility checks before applying. Students should pay particular attention to the Foundation registration cut-off of 1 September 2026 and the Intermediate registration cut-off of 1 May 2026, along with course conversion and document requirements.
Completing these checks in advance can help candidates avoid last-minute difficulties while submitting their examination forms.
Candidates should refer to the official ICAI notification for the complete requirements and any further instructions applicable to their examination.
Click here to view/download the official notification
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