The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected a petition requesting the rescheduling of the ICAI CA Inter and Final examinations for May 2024. After the ruling, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is anticipated to proceed with the arrangements for conducting the exams according to the previously announced schedule for May 2024.
Justice C Hari Shankar rejected the request put forth by 27 candidates to delay the exams from May to June citing the Lok Sabha elections.
The bench clarified that there is no legal prohibition against conducting exams during Lok Sabha elections and questioned whether there was a valid reason for rescheduling the CA exams. They stressed that candidates should be capable of completing their studies even during the election period. Additionally, the court expressed astonishment at the plea for postponement, especially considering the substantial number of approximately 4,26,000 candidates slated to appear for the exams.
Additionally, the Court emphasised that none of the CA exams coincides with the voting dates and encouraged students to appropriately manage their preparation if they intend to exercise their voting rights.
The CA intermediate group 1 exams are rescheduled for May 3, 5, and 9 instead of May 7, while group 2 will take place on May 11, 15, and 17 instead of May 9, 11, and 13. For the CA Final exams, group 1 will be conducted on May 2, 4, and 8 instead of May 6, and group 2 will be held on May 10, 14, and 16 instead of May 8, 10, and 12.
ICAI decided to avoid potential clashes with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. However, CA aspirants express dissatisfaction with the altered exam timetable and advocate for the postponement of the inter and final exams to June due to the elections.
Also, the petitioners highlighted worries regarding transportation and potential disturbances due to the impending Lok Sabha elections. Nonetheless, the bench concluded that there is no regulation prohibiting the conduction of exams simultaneously with elections.
Child activist Anubha Srivastava Sahai is lending support to the CA students in presenting this issue before the court.
"Considering continuous requests & hardships of CA students, we have filed a petition in Delhi HC seeking rescheduling of CA Exams from May to June 2024. HC is likely to hear it on Monday. CA students, please focus on studies. Matter is before the Court now. Let Court decide," shared advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava on X.
The CA foundation level exam is scheduled for June 20, 22, 24, and 26.
In a recent announcement, the institute revealed its decision to increase the frequency of CA Foundation and Inter exams to three times a year, departing from the previous biannual schedule. This new exam pattern will undergo a pilot run initially at the Foundation and Intermediate levels, while the CA Final exam will maintain its traditional biannual format for the time being. ICAI is expected to implement this change starting this year, following the conclusion of the May exams.
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