The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has issued the Study Guidelines for CA Final May 2026 Examination (Paper 5 - Indirect Tax Laws) , detailing the applicable provisions, amendments, and key exclusions for students.
Applicable Laws for CA Final May 2026 Exams
According to ICAI, the syllabus will include provisions under:
- CGST Act, 2017
- IGST Act, 2017
- Customs Act, 1962
- Customs Tariff Act, 1975
All amendments made through the Finance Act, 2025 that have become effective up to October 31, 2025 will be applicable for the exam.
However, ICAI has clarified that certain amendments under earlier Finance Acts, including provisions related to customs tariff and CGST appellate sections, will not be applicable as they are yet to be enforced.
Key GST & Customs Syllabus Exclusions
To streamline preparation, ICAI has specified topic-wise exclusions in the Indirect Tax Laws paper:
Case Study-Based Exclusions
- Tax rates for goods and services
- Exemptions related to supply of goods
GST (Part I) Exclusions
- Valuation in cases involving Kerala Flood Cess
- ITC rules for real estate projects
- ITC reversal for gold dore bar
- Transitional provisions
Additional Clarifications
- Topics excluded in one section will also be excluded across related topics
- Only select provisions of GST and Customs laws are covered
Important Note for Students
ICAI has emphasized that:
- Only the September 2025 Study Material and Statutory Updates for May 2026 should be referred
- Amendments after study material issuance are applicable only if covered in statutory updates
What This Means for CA Final Aspirants
These guidelines help students:
- Focus only on exam-relevant provisions
- Avoid unnecessary or non-applicable amendments
- Prepare efficiently for both GST and Customs sections
With clear exclusions and updated applicability, ICAI aims to simplify preparation and reduce ambiguity for CA Final candidates appearing in May 2026.
Click here to view/download the official copy of the notification
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