CA Final May 2026 Pass %: FR vs Direct Tax vs GST Paper Analysis

CA Final May 2026 results were declared on June 30, 2026, by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Among the most closely tracked data points are the paper-wise pass percentages for Financial Reporting (Paper 1), Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (Paper 7), and Indirect Tax Laws including GST (Paper 8) — three papers that historically decide a student’s fate in the examination.

Understanding how pass rates have moved across six consecutive attempts helps students benchmark their preparation, identify which papers are most demanding, and set realistic score targets. This article brings together the official group-wise data from ICAI and paper-wise estimates from coaching institute analysis to give a complete historical picture.

• CA Final May 2026 Group I pass percentage: 18.65%
• CA Final May 2026 Group II pass percentage: 22.18%
• CA Final May 2026 Both Groups pass percentage: 19.24%
• Results declared on: June 30, 2026 at icaiexam.icai.org
• Paper-wise data (FR, Direct Tax, GST) sourced from coaching institute analysis

CA Final May 2026 Overall Pass Percentage

ICAI officially publishes group-wise pass percentages after every attempt. The table below covers seven attempts from November 2022 through May 2026, showing how the overall difficulty level has shifted each cycle.

A clear seasonal pattern is visible: May attempts consistently outperform November attempts across all three metrics. Group II has maintained a higher pass rate than Group I in every single attempt over this period. The May 2026 figures represent a slight dip from the May 2025 peaks but remain well above the November 2024 lows.

Financial Reporting (Paper 1) Historical Pass Percentage

Financial Reporting is the opening paper of Group I and one of the most technically demanding in the entire CA Final syllabus. The data below is based on coaching institute analysis, as ICAI does not publish individual paper-wise pass percentages officially.

Financial Reporting consistently records the lowest pass percentage among the three papers analysed here. The paper’s coverage of Ind AS, consolidation, and fair value accounting makes it conceptually heavy. May 2026 at 40.6% is a step down from the May 2025 high of 43.8%, but in line with the general May-attempt range. Students who score above 50 in this paper give themselves a strong foundation for the Group I aggregate.

Direct Tax Laws (Paper 7) Historical Pass Percentage

Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation forms Paper 7 of Group II. This paper covers domestic income tax provisions and treaty-based international taxation. Pass percentage data below is per coaching institute analysis.

Direct Tax Laws sits in the middle of the three papers in terms of difficulty. Pass rates have climbed steadily in May attempts, reaching a six-attempt high of 47.3% in May 2025 before settling at 44.1% in May 2026. The November attempts show a consistent 4–6 percentage point dip compared to their preceding May attempts, reflecting the shorter preparation window that November students typically have after a May result declaration.

Indirect Tax Laws and GST (Paper 8) Historical Pass Percentage

Indirect Tax Laws, which is almost entirely dominated by Goods and Services Tax (GST), is Paper 8 of Group II. It is regarded as the most student-friendly of the three papers examined here, with the highest pass rates across all six attempts. Data is per coaching institute analysis.

GST crossed the 50% pass mark for the first time in May 2025 at 51.2%, a landmark reflecting how well students have adapted to the now-settled GST law. May 2026 at 48.6% is slightly below that peak but still the highest pass rate of any single attempt outside of May 2025. The paper’s procedural and application-based nature rewards consistent practice and thorough revision of circulars and notifications.

Paper-Wise Comparison: FR vs Direct Tax vs GST

The table below consolidates all three papers across six attempts for a side-by-side view. All figures are per coaching institute analysis and should be read as estimates, not official ICAI data.

• GST (Paper 8) leads in every attempt — it has recorded the highest pass rate among these three papers in all six attempts without exception.
• FR (Paper 1) is consistently the toughest — it trails GST by 7–9 percentage points in every May attempt and by 7–8 points in every November attempt.
• Direct Tax (Paper 7) sits between the two — approximately 4–5 percentage points above FR and 3–4 points below GST in each attempt.
• The May-November gap is roughly 4–6 points across all three papers, confirming that May attempts are systematically better-prepared-for than November attempts.
• Overall trend is upward — comparing May 2023 to May 2026, FR is up 1.4 points, Direct Tax is up 0.5 points, and GST is up 1.5 points.
• May 2026 marks a moderate correction from May 2025 highs across all three papers, consistent with ICAI’s pattern of slight difficulty variation between consecutive May attempts.

What Paper Pass Percentage Means for Your Preparation

Pass percentage data is not just a historical record — it is a preparation signal. Here is what the trends suggest for each of the three papers.

Financial Reporting (Paper 1): With pass rates consistently below 44%, FR demands the most structured approach. Students should prioritise Ind AS standards and practice consolidation problems under time pressure. Start FR preparation at least five months before the attempt and aim for 55+ to build a buffer for the Group I aggregate.

Direct Tax Laws (Paper 7): The mid-range pass rate reflects the paper’s mix of statute-based questions and application problems. Amendment tracking is critical — ICAI frequently tests provisions from the Finance Act applicable to the attempt. Students who revise amendments thoroughly in the final three weeks typically outperform their mock test scores. Aim for 55+.

Indirect Tax Laws and GST (Paper 8): GST’s pass rate approaching 50% is a strong signal that this paper can be a score booster. The law has stabilised after its initial years and coaching institute question banks are now highly predictive of actual paper patterns. Target 60+ to lift the Group II aggregate and compensate for any underperformance in other papers.

General strategy: Group II has a higher official pass rate than Group I in every attempt. Students appearing for both groups should give Financial Reporting dedicated extra revision time, as it is the primary differentiator in Group I performance.