ICAI Invites Empanelment of Members as Observers for January 2026 CA Exams [Read Announcement]
The ICAI has stipulated certain conditions for being eligible to be empaneled as an observer. Read on to know more
ICAI
ICAI
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued an announcement inviting members to empanel as Observers for the January 2026 Chartered Accountants’ Examinations.
As per the announcement, ICAI seeks observers are required for the Final, Intermediate and Post Qualification Course papers scheduled from 5 to 17 January 2026 (except 14 January) and the Foundation Examination on 18, 20, 22 and 24 January 2026.
The exams are set to take place in about 374 cities at several hundred locations across the country.
The ICAI has informed that as per the decision of the Examination Committee in its 648th Meeting held on 8th and 9th May 2024, that there should be a cooling off period for one attempt after three consecutive attempts for being empaneled for Observership duties.
Eligibility Criteria for Empanelment
Members applying for empanelment as Observers for the January 2026 CA Examinations must meet the following eligibility conditions:
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- Be not more than 65 years of age as on the date of empanelment (8 October 2025).
- Be on the Register of Members as on 1 July 2023 and continue to remain so.
- Ensure that neither they nor their relatives or dependents are appearing in any of the January 2026 examinations at any centre.
- Not be engaged in coaching for ICAI examinations.
- Have no criminal conviction and no disciplinary proceedings pending against them.
- Not be an elected or co-opted member of the ICAI Council, Regional Council, or Branch Managing Committee.
- Abide by the Observer Guidelines and all instructions issued by the Examination Department.
Honorarium & Conveyance
Observers will be paid an honorarium of ₹3,750 per day or per session. Conveyance reimbursement will be ₹500 per day for ‘A’ class cities (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi/New Delhi, Hyderabad/Secunderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata/Howrah, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune) and ₹400 per day for other cities.
Duties of Observer and How to Empanel
Observers are required to attend at their allotted bank/exam centre from the time the code key is opened at the bank, oversee collection, opening and distribution of question paper packets, remain until answer books are pooled, reconciled and handed over to the courier, and submit daily reports on the portal and final bills immediately after completion of duties.
Members have been advised to -update their professional address on the Self-Service Portal to facilitate city allotment.
Interested members may apply for empanelment at http://observers.icaiexam.icai.org
The empanelment window opens on 8 October 2025 and closes on 7 November 2025, with self-selection/hosting of observer assignments tentatively in the last week of December 2025.
ICAI has also advised members to stay in touch with the Institute’s website, www.icai.org for updates.
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