The Delhi High Court recently ruled out a petition seeking the postponement of the CA Inter and Final exams scheduled for May 2024, despite demands from candidates concerned about the overlap with the 18th Lok Sabha elections.
Although the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) had already rescheduled the exam dates in anticipation of the elections, applicants urged for further adjustments, leading to the filing of a petition at the Delhi High Court. However, the High Court rejected the plea, as reported by Hindustan Times.
CA Inter and CA Final Challenges Faced by Candidates
With over 4 lakh candidates preparing to sit for the inter and final exams, logistical challenges, especially pertaining to transportation, arose due to the concurrent elections. The petitioners argued that the election-related disruptions could hamper their ability to reach exam centers in time.
However, in response, the bench questioned the necessity of postponing the exams solely due to the elections, emphasizing that there is no legal obstruction to conducting exams during the Lok Sabha elections. The bench’s stance underscored the importance of candidates’ ability to focus on their studies despite external circumstances.
Revised Exam Schedule For CA Inter and CA Final
In response to concerns surrounding the general elections, ICAI revised the exam schedule for the CA Inter and Final exams. The updated timetable includes the following changes:
- CA Inter Group 1 exams: May 3, 5, and 9 (previously May 7)
- CA Inter Group 2 exams: May 11, 15, and 17 (previously May 9, 11, and 13)
- CA Final Group 1 exams: May 2, 4, and 8 (previously May 6)
- CA Final Group 2 exams: May 10, 14, and 16 (previously May 8, 10, and 12)
Additionally, ICAI clarified that any declared public holidays during the examination schedule would not prompt further changes.
ICAI’s Initiative to Enhance Examination Frequency
In a separate announcement, ICAI revealed its decision to increase the frequency of CA Foundation and Inter exams to thrice a year, a departure from the previous biannual schedule. Dhiraj Khandelwal, a Central Council Member (CCM) of ICAI, praised this move on the microblogging platform X, hailing it as a beneficial change for CA students.
Khandelwal indicated that the ICAI would provide further updates on this development in the near future, underscoring the institute’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of the CA student community.
Top 10 Institutes for a Company Secretary in India
Secret to CS Executive Preparation 2024 Success: Subject-Specific Strategies
