New Possibilities for Indian CA Firms: ICAI Liberalises Advertising Norms, Read Complete Decisions of Council Here
The ICAI has released the press release of important decisions the council has taken which completely changes the outlook of CA firms.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ( ICAI ) has announced a set of reforms that are believed to open new growth opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountant firms, especially small and mid-sized practices.
The decisions were taken at the 447th meeting of the ICAI Council and were officially announced through a press release, describing the reforms as a “game-changer” concurrent with the Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening Indian professional firms globally. The press release was briefed by the ICAI head/President CA Charanjot Singh Nanda and Vice president CA Prasanna Kumar D.
Liberalisation of Advertising and Website Standards for CA Firms
The Council's adoption of changes to the Advertisement and Website Guidelines under the updated Code of Ethics is among its most important decisions. This modification gives CA firms more flexibility to present their services in a refined and modern way. The updated rules allow for greater flexibility in creativity while preserving ethical principles and expand the range of acceptable "write-ups" in ads. It is expected that this will improve the visibility and reach of small and mid-sized CA firms in particular. The updated Code of Ethics will take effect on April 1st, 2026.
Push Technology allowed for Non-Exclusive Services
ICAI has permitted members and firms to use push technology (such digital promotions) for services that are not exclusive to the CA profession, like accounting and consulting services, in accordance with the updated website criteria.
As a result, CA firms are now competitive in the digital market with other professional service providers. ICAI-registered network companies will now be permitted to manage their own websites, which will greatly improve their web presence and collaboration abilities.
Global Networking Guidelines
To help Indian CA firms grow beyond India, the ICAI Council has approved the ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025. These guidelines make it easier and safer for Indian CA firms, domestic networks, and ICAI-registered consultancy companies to tie up with foreign firms.
The Guidelines are clear and rule-based, so firms can enter international partnerships without legal or ethical confusion. The main intention is to give Indian firms equal opportunities to learn from global practices, use advanced technology, gain specialised skills, and build an international brand.
ICAI syncs Code of Ethics with Global Standards
Additionally, ICAI has made the decision to completely align its Code of Ethics with the 2024 IESBA (International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants) Code. For audit firms in particular, this means stricter independence regulations.
According to the new regulations, an audit firm that has previously provided specific non-assurance services that could lead to a conflict of interest is not permitted to accept the audit of a Public Interest Entity (PIE). Furthermore, all listed companies and their subsidiaries are now covered by the NOCLAR (Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations) rules.
Increased Consultancy Services and New Ethical Guidelines for Sustainability
The revised Code of Ethics also introduces ethical standards for sustainability assurance, aligned with international standards. Further, ICAI has expanded the list of Management Consultancy and Other Services (MCS) that CAs can offer. The new areas include forensic accounting, artificial intelligence-related services, social impact assessment, and other emerging domains, reflecting the changing needs of the economy and profession.
Digital Mode Mandatory for Audit Fee Payments
The ICAI has recommended that audit fees should be accepted only through banking or digital payment modes. This will improve transparency, accountability, and traceability in professional transactions.
UDIN Crosses 10-Crore Milestone: ICAI also announced that the Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) system has crossed the historic milestone of 10 crore UDINs.
Additionally, the Council also announced World Forum of Accountants (WOFA) 2.0, scheduled from 30 January to 1 February 2026 at Greater Noida. The event is expected to host over 20,000 delegates from 40 countries.
