ICAI’s September Ind AS Examination: What Candidates and Finance Professionals Should Know

Indian Accounting Standards, or Ind AS, have become a real part of financial reporting for companies that fall under them. For chartered accountants and finance professionals working with Ind AS financial statements, it is not enough to memorise definitions and move on. The harder part is using the standards properly when dealing with transactions, estimates, disclosures, and the sort of reporting issues that do not stay neat for long.

That is where ICAI’s Certificate Course on Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) matters. Run by the Accounting Standards Board (ASB), the course gives members a structured way to learn Ind AS and then test that knowledge through an examination.

What the Ind AS Certificate Course Actually Tests

ICAI’s Certificate Course on Ind AS is meant for members who have finished the required training through the course’s physical or online batches. Members need to attend 80% of the course to be eligible for the September 2026 exam. ICAI has also expressly stated that if a member registers and it is discovered that he is not eligible for registration, then the registration can be cancelled. The examination is computer-based and will be marked out of 100 marks. It consists of 50 one-mark questions and 25 two-mark questions, the latter being based on case studies.

That part matters a lot, since it is where the paper starts feeling closer to actual work instead of just theory. No negative marking; therefore, attention to detail and good time management are important. Examiners use a candidate’s own PC or laptop computer at home or in the office.

The minimum mark for the September 2026 sitting is 60%. The fee includes the mock exam as well as the final assessment of ₹1000 plus 18% GST. ICAI also gives an eligible member one free attempt with the course fee. If that attempt is not used or is not cleared within the allowed exam window, later attempts need the prescribed fee.

ICAI has announced the upcoming schedule for the Ind AS online Certificate Course examination as Sunday, 13 September 2026, 10 AM to 1 PM. The mock exam is on 6 September 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM. It’s just there to familiarise the candidates with the online interface and not to influence the final result. Candidates should not ignore the administrative requirements around the examination either.

ICAI’s announcement says membership status must be active when candidates take the examination. Members needing restoration are advised to submit Form 9 through the SSP portal as soon as possible. Their photograph on the SSP profile should also be updated before registration is completed.

Face registration is another step candidates can’t ignore. The system uses the camera on a PC or laptop to capture the required images, then sends them to the Digital Learning Hub team for approval. On exam day, candidates have to authenticate their face before they can open the assessment. Phones and tablets aren’t allowed, which could easily cause trouble for someone who assumes any device will work.

The fee-payment deadline for this sitting is 2 September 2026, while face registration closes on 3 September 2026. These dates apply to this cycle only, meaning candidates should check the newest ICAI announcement instead of relying on old articles or social media posts. A missed deadline may leave little room to fix the problem. This assessment also shouldn’t be confused with ICAI’s regular CA examinations. The Ind AS Certificate course examination is a separate, specialised assessment for eligible ICAI members. It is not part of the Foundation, Intermediate or Final CA examination structure.

Why This Exam Matters Beyond the Certificate

Ind AS is not the sort of subject that becomes easy because someone has read the standards once. There are multiple layers of judgement and application of some standards, such as Ind AS 109 – Financial instruments, Ind AS 115 – Revenue, Ind AS 116 – Leases, Ind AS 103 – Business combinations and Ind AS 110 – Consolidation. Such knowledge can make a difference for anyone involved in an audit, financial reporting, financial advisory or accounting advisory, controllership or corporate finance role. A transaction may look simple at first, but then recognition, measurement, classification, impairment, consolidation or disclosure changes the picture fast.

The certificate itself should not be treated as proof of expertise. Even so, it gives ICAI members a formal way to show focused training in Ind AS. The preparation matters too. It can make professionals more comfortable with accounting issues that show up in actual assignments, not just in textbooks.

For the finance team it is helpful when it comes to transactions with complex financial instruments, revenue recognition, leases, acquisitions or consolidated reporting. The right accounting treatment impacts on reported numbers and disclosures, and hence, Ind AS knowledge is not limited to passing an examination. What candidates must study. The way in which candidates should prepare.

Since the paper is objective and case-based, preparation should be about seeing how the standards work, not memorising every paragraph. Take the mock seriously, even if it’s optional. ICAI’s mock lets candidates get used to the online interface and test the system, camera, browser, and internet before the real exam.

Study application, not definitions alone. Practice recognising and measuring common exceptions, disclosures, and examples, as a case may alter the facts and determine whether you can apply the rule. It also helps to do timed questions because you have no time to choose the correct answer, and knowing the standard is different.

Check your SSP details early too. Confirm that your membership is active and your photograph is updated. These small administrative points can turn into a last-minute headache when ignored. Prepare your computer and internet connection before exam day. The test has to be taken on a PC or laptop; mobile phones and tablets aren’t permitted. ICAI recommends an internet speed of 2 Mbps. Don’t postpone face registration. ICAI says processing may take several hours, while approval usually takes one to two working days. Doing it early avoids a very unnecessary problem. A Final Word

The September 2026 Ind AS examination isn’t just another online accounting test. For eligible ICAI members, it offers a useful, organised way to build a stronger understanding of the reporting framework used in professional accounting and financial reporting. The main date is 13 September 2026, and the exam runs from 10 AM to 1 PM. Eligibility, membership, face registration and technical requirements matter too, since they must be sorted before exam day.

The official notification of the ICAI should be considered as the final source, and the various deadlines, fees and procedures set out may vary from one examination cycle to the next. It is good sense to look at it the day before the exam. If you are preparing this time, the strategy is simple: know the standards, practise them, test your system before the event, and arrange administrative matters early. When the window of examination comes, then you can concentrate at that time on answering the questions confidently without worrying about the avoidable problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ICAI Ind AS Certificate Course?

It is a specialised Ind AS Certificate Course conducted by ICAI’s Accounting Standards Board to help members strengthen their knowledge of Indian Accounting Standards.

Who is eligible for the exam?

Eligible ICAI members who have completed the required course training and attendance requirements can appear for the Ind AS exam.

What is the format of the September 2026exam?

The Ind AS exam is computer-based and includes 50 one-mark questions and 25 two-mark case-study questions.

What is the passing mark for the Ind AS Certificate Course exam?

Candidates need to score at least 60% to clear the September 2026 assessment.

When is the September 2026 Ind AS exam?

The Ind AS Certificate Course examination is scheduled for 13 September 2026, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Is there negative marking in the exam?

No, the September 2026 Ind AS exam has no negative marking.

Which Ind AS standards should candidates focus on?

Candidates should pay particular attention to standards such as Ind AS 109, Ind AS 115, Ind AS 116, Ind AS 103, and Ind AS 110, along with their practical application.

What are the technical requirements for the exam?

Candidates must use a PC or laptop with a camera and suitable internet connection; mobile phones and tablets are not permitted.

What is face registration for the Ind AS Certificate Course exam?

Face registration uses the computer camera to capture required images for authentication before candidates can access the Ind AS examination.

How should candidates prepare for the exam?

Candidates should focus on applying accounting standards to case studies, practise timed questions, take the mock exam, and complete all technical and administrative requirements early.

Statutory Citations & References

1. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), “Announcement of Online Examination of the Certificate Course on Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) to be held on 13th September 2026,” Accounting Standards Board, 2026. [Online]. Available: ICAI Official Announcement
2. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), “Certificate Course on Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS),” Accounting Standards Board, 2026. [Online]. Available: ICAI Certificate Course on Ind AS
3. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), “Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS): Compendium and Guidance Material, 2025–2026,” 2026. [Online]. Available: ICAI Publication Portal
4. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), “Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS),” Accounting Standards Board, 2025–2026. [Online]. Available: ICAI Ind AS Resources
5. Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, “Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Amendment Rules, 2018,” New Delhi, India, 2018. [Online]. Available: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
6. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), “Lectures on Indian Accounting Standards,” Accounting Standards Board, 2026. [Online]. Available: ICAI Digital Learning Hub