CA Final May 2026 Pass Percentage: Group 1 and Group 2 Trends

Based on historical trends, the CA Final May 2026 expected pass percentage is 10–13% for Both Groups, 18–23% for Group 1 only, and 16–22% for Group 2 only.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts the CA Final examination twice a year — in May and November. The CA Final May 2026 result is expected around late June 2026. Pass rates in this examination have consistently remained in the low double digits, reflecting the rigorous evaluation standards ICAI maintains across both groups and all paper combinations.

• Both Groups expected pass rate: 10–13%, consistent with May 2022, May 2023, and May 2024 results.
• Group 1 only expected pass rate: 18–23%, based on the three most recent May sessions.
• Group 2 only expected pass rate: 16–22%, based on the three most recent May sessions.
• May sessions consistently yield 1–3 percentage points higher pass rates than November sessions.
• The May 2021 result was an outlier due to COVID-19 concessions and is excluded from current trend projections.

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CA Final May 2026 Expected Pass Percentage Overview

The CA Final May 2026 pass percentage is expected to align with recent May session averages. Across May 2022, May 2023, and May 2024, the Both Groups pass rate ranged from approximately 11.20% to 12.07%. Students appearing for one group at a time consistently record higher pass rates because focused preparation on fewer papers improves outcomes.

All figures above are estimated based on historical patterns. The official CA Final May 2026 pass percentage will be published by ICAI at icaiexam.icai.org on the result date.

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Historical Pass Percentage Trends (2019–2024)

The table below shows approximate CA Final pass percentages over recent sessions. May sessions consistently outperform November sessions, and single-group appearances outperform Both Groups attempts. Excluding May 2021, the average May Both Groups pass rate is approximately 11.3%, which forms the primary basis for the May 2026 estimate.

*May 2021 figures are significantly elevated due to ICAI COVID-19 pandemic concessions and are not indicative of the regular trend.

Two consistent patterns emerge from this data: May sessions outperform November sessions by 1–3 percentage points, and single-group appearances yield pass rates roughly double those of Both Groups attempts. Both Groups students must clear all seven papers simultaneously, which is statistically harder than clearing one group of three or four papers at a time.

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Group 1 Historical Pass Percentage Analysis

CA Final Group 1 covers Financial Reporting, Advanced Financial Management, Advanced Auditing and Professional Ethics, and Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation. Students appearing for Group 1 only in May sessions have historically recorded pass rates of 18% to 23%.

• Paper 1 (Financial Reporting) is widely considered the most demanding paper in Group 1 and significantly influences the group’s overall pass rate each session.
• The ICAI new curriculum has revised the Group 1 paper structure; early batches under the new scheme may show some variation from these historical figures as students adapt.
• On average, approximately 1 in 5 students who appear for Group 1 alone in a May session successfully clear the group.

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Group 2 Historical Pass Percentage Analysis

CA Final Group 2 under the new ICAI scheme includes Indirect Tax Laws, Integrated Business Solutions (an open-book multidisciplinary case study paper), and Strategic Cost and Performance Management. May session Group 2 pass rates for single-group appearances have historically ranged from 16% to 22%.

• Group 2 pass rates have been marginally lower than Group 1 in most May sessions by 0.5–2 percentage points.
• The open-book Integrated Business Solutions paper in the new ICAI scheme may improve Group 2 pass rates compared to the old scheme equivalent, though multi-year new-scheme data is still accumulating.
• Paper 5 (Indirect Tax Laws) covering GST and Customs Law is often the most accessible scoring paper for well-prepared students in Group 2.

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Factors Affecting CA Final Pass Percentage

Several variables drive pass rate fluctuations across sessions. Understanding these helps you interpret why May 2026 may deviate slightly from the historical estimate.

• Cohort composition: May sessions attract more first-time, well-prepared students. November sessions have a higher proportion of re-attempters, which historically yields a lower pass rate.
• Paper difficulty: ICAI sets paper difficulty independently each session. An unusually hard paper in a single subject can suppress the group pass rate significantly.
• New curriculum transition: ICAI’s new scheme introduced revised paper formats and an open-book Integrated Business Solutions paper. Pass rates may shift as students across multiple sittings adapt to the new format.
• ICAI moderation policy: ICAI applies grace marks when paper difficulty is abnormally high, partially compensating for harder sessions and preventing severe drops in pass rates.
• Minimum marks rule: Scoring below 40 in any single paper fails the entire group regardless of the aggregate. This rule disproportionately lowers Both Groups pass rates when even one paper proves unusually hard.
• Preparation cycle: The 6-month gap between November and May gives re-attempters time to strengthen weak areas, contributing to the slightly higher May pass rate observed consistently over the years.

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How to Check CA Final May 2026 Result

The CA Final May 2026 result will be available on the official ICAI exam portal. Follow these steps once ICAI announces the result:

1. Go to the official ICAI exam portal: icaiexam.icai.org.
2. Click the active link for CA Final May 2026 Result.
3. Enter your Registration Number and Roll Number in the respective fields.
4. Select your group — Group 1, Group 2, or Both Groups.
5. Click Submit to view your marks, pass/fail status, and merit rank if applicable.
6. Download or print a copy of the result page for your records.

ICAI dispatches physical mark sheets to your registered address within a few weeks of the result date. You do not need to request the mark sheet separately.