The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has officially announced the ICAI Observer Empanelment for the upcoming CA exams scheduled in January 2026.
This initiative invites eligible members of ICAI to act as Observers across examination centers in India & abroad.
The empanelment window opens on 8th October 2025 and closes on 7th November 2025. Interested members can apply online only through the official ICAI portal — observers.icaiexam.icai.org.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for ICAI Observer Empanelment 2025:
- The member must be below 65 years of age as of 8th October 2025.
- Their name must appear on the ICAI Register of Members as of 1st July 2023.
- Neither the applicant nor their relatives should be appearing in the January 2026 CA Exams.
- The applicant should not be engaged in coaching for any ICAI examinations.
- No disciplinary proceedings should be pending against them.
- They must not be a current elected or co-opted member of the ICAI Council or any regional/branch committee.
Honorarium and Duties
ICAI will pay an honorarium of ₹3750 per session per day, along with conveyance reimbursement of ₹500 (for A-class cities) and ₹400 (for other cities).
Observers are responsible for ensuring fair conduct of examinations — including the collection, opening, and distribution of sealed question papers and submission of reports post-exam.
Key Dates
- Empanelment Window: 8th Oct 2025 – 7th Nov 2025
- Self-selection of Observer Assignments: Last week of December 2025 (Tentative)
- CA Exams: 5th to 17th Jan 2026 (Inter/Final) and 18th, 20th, 22nd, 24th Jan 2026 (Foundation)
The empanelment ensures transparency and integrity in ICAI’s exam process, while giving members an opportunity to contribute directly to the profession.
