The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has officially announced the dates for the upcoming September 2026 examinations. For candidates preparing for the CA Intermediate and CA Foundation levels, the examination cycle begins in the first week of September. Specifically, the CA Intermediate examinations are scheduled to take place from September 1 to September 12, 2026. The CA Foundation examinations will follow closely, running from September 2 to September 9, 2026.
As the examination dates approach, the immediate priority for all eligible candidates is to complete the ICAI exam application process accurately and within the specified timeframes. Missing the CA exam from the last date for Sept 2026 will result in direct disqualification from this attempt, regardless of your preparation level. This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to filling out the CA Inter Foundation Sept 2026 exam form, details the exact fee structures, highlights crucial deadlines, and outlines the common errors students make during the ICAI SSP portal exam registration.
Adhering to these guidelines ensures a smooth registration process, allowing you to focus entirely on your academic preparation for the next two months.
Important Deadlines for the Sept 2026 Exams
The ICAI operates on strict administrative timelines. The application window for the September 2026 cycle is narrow, and candidates must initiate their registration as soon as the portal opens to avoid last-minute server congestion. Below are the verified dates for the CA Inter Foundation Sept 2026 exam form submission:
- Exam Form Start Date: 6 July 2026. The ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP) will open for exam form submissions at 10:00 AM IST.
- Last Date (No Late Fee): 19 July 2026. All candidates must complete their form submission and fee payment by 11:59 PM IST on this date to avoid financial penalties.
- Last Date (With ₹600 Late Fee): 22 July 2026. If you miss the primary deadline, the portal accepts submissions for three additional days, subject to a late fee of ₹600 for Indian centers or US$ 10 for overseas centers.
- Correction Window: 23 July to 25 July 2026. The ICAI exam correction window 2026 opens specifically to rectify certain errors made during the initial submission.
It is mandatory to complete the registration before the final cutoff. Furthermore, candidates must verify their eligibility criteria before applying. For CA Foundation, registration with the Board of Studies must have been completed by May 1, 2026. For CA Intermediate, the registration cutoff was January 1, 2026. Failure to meet these foundational cutoffs renders the candidate ineligible for the September 2026 exam form cycle.
Step-by-Step ICAI Exam Application Process
The procedure to submit the CA Inter Foundation Sept 2026 exam form is entirely digital and managed through the ICAI SSP portal. Manual forms or offline drafts are strictly not accepted. Follow this detailed procedure for your ICAI SSP portal exam registration:
Step 1: Access the ICAI Self Service Portal (SSP)
Navigate to the official ICAI e-services website (eservices.icai.org). Log in using your designated registration number (e.g., WRO, NRO, CRO) and your secure password. If you are a new user transitioning from the old portal, you must create a new account by validating your email and mobile number.
Step 2: Profile Verification and Update
Before accessing the exam form, the portal will display your current profile. You must verify that your photograph and signature meet the current ICAI guidelines. The photograph must have an 80% face coverage against a white background, sized 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm (20-50 KB). The signature must be executed with black ink on white paper, sized 6 cm x 2 cm (10-20 KB). If your current profile images are rejected or outdated, you must upload new ones and wait for portal approval, which currently takes 5 to 7 working days. Ensure this is completed well before the July 19 deadline.
Step 3: Access the Exam Registration Form
Once your profile is verified and active, navigate to the 'Exam Functions' tab on your SSP dashboard. Select the relevant option: either 'Foundation Exam Form Sept 2026' or 'Intermediate Exam Form Sept 2026'. The system will auto-populate your basic details, including your name, registration date, and contact information.
Step 4: Selection of Examination Center and Medium
This is a critical step. You must manually select your preferred examination city and the medium of instruction (English or Hindi). For CA Intermediate students, you must clearly select whether you are applying for Group 1, Group 2, or Both Groups. Double-check these selections, as changing the group preference later is not permitted under the standard correction window rules.
Step 5: Payment of Examination Fees
Proceed to the payment gateway. The fee structure for Indian centers is as follows: CA Foundation candidates must pay ₹1,500. CA Intermediate candidates must pay ₹1,500 for a Single Group and ₹2,700 for Both Groups. Payment can be processed using Debit Cards, Credit Cards, Net Banking, or UPI.
Step 6: Download the Confirmation PDF
Upon successful payment, the portal will generate a confirmation PDF of your exam form. Download this document and retain a printed copy for your records. If the fee is deducted from your bank but the PDF is not generated, do not attempt a second payment immediately. Wait for 24 hours for the payment status to update on the SSP portal.
Common Application Errors to Avoid
Every exam cycle, thousands of candidates face administrative issues due to avoidable errors during the ICAI exam application process. Identifying and avoiding these errors ensures your application is processed without delays.
Error 1: Delaying Until the Final Day
Waiting until July 19 or July 22 often results in encountering server timeouts or payment gateway failures due to heavy traffic on the SSP portal. If your payment fails on the last day, you lose the attempt. Always complete the submission within the first week of the portal opening.
Error 2: Incorrect Medium of Examination Selection
Many students accidentally select 'Hindi' instead of 'English' (or vice versa) in a rush. While the ICAI exam correction window 2026 (from July 23 to July 25) allows you to rectify the medium of instruction and the exam city, it is an unnecessary stress factor during crucial study days. Review your selections thoroughly before the final submission.
Error 3: Ignoring Article Registration Status (For Inter Students)
For Direct Entry candidates or those with specific articleship conditions, the SSP portal checks your training status against the exam eligibility rules. Ensure your firm has updated your articleship details correctly on the portal. Discrepancies here will block the exam form generation.
Error 4: Relying on the Correction Window for Group Changes
A common misconception is that the correction window allows students to change their group appearance (e.g., switching from Both Groups to Single Group). The ICAI strictly prohibits changing groups once the fee is paid. The correction window is strictly limited to changing the examination city and the medium of answering papers. Make your group appearance decision final before starting the application.
Prepare for September 2026 with VSmart Academy
Submitting the CA Inter Foundation Sept 2026 exam form marks the official start of your final countdown. With exactly 60 days remaining from the form opening to the first exam date, your strategy must immediately shift from casual reading to intensive practice and evaluation. Administrative tasks are now complete; academic execution is required.
Relying solely on self-study during this critical two-month phase often leaves conceptual gaps unaddressed. Structured revision, mock testing, and expert feedback are necessary to secure your passing marks. Evaluate your current preparation level rigorously.
Finalise your preparation with VSmart Academy’s CA Inter mock test series Sept 2026 and CA Foundation fast track classes. Our expert faculties provide focused revision modules, past paper analysis, and time-bound mock tests that replicate the exact ICAI exam environment. Secure your September attempt by visiting the VSmart Academy portal and enrolling in the respective test series today.
