ICAI: Not possible to Conduct CA Exams 2020 Online; Real Full Report Here

November 07, 2020: As per the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) statement to the High Court, despite student requests, the exam body will not be able to conduct CA Exam 2020 through online means. 

As a result of increasing concern of COVID-19, students of ICAI have filed a petition to request the exam body to conduct the Chartered Accountant Exams 2020 schedule to be conducted from November 21, through online means.

Students’ plea has requested ICAI to issue detailed SOPs to be followed during the conduction of CA 2020 examination. Students stated that no safety measures have been taken by the exam body to ensure the safety of candidates. 

Earlier to this, ICAI had informed the Supreme Court about complications of conducting online exams. The Institute stated that the CA exam is a detail-oriented exam to be conducted online. They test the analytical skills of the candidates through the exam.

The plea further read that the CA offline exam 2020 will violate the Central Government’s SOPs Guidelines, as the exam will commence for more than 100 students under the same roof. 

Referring to students' request, ICAI stated that the exam is of 3-hour duration, and consists of different patterns and descriptive answers, due to which online examination will not be possible. 

Senior Advocate Ramji Srinivasan, who appeared on behalf of ICAI during the hearing, stated that the exam body does not have sufficient isolation rooms and even facilities to accommodate doctors as well. 

Read: ICAI CA November Exam 2020: List of Additional Exam Centres Released

He further added that safety measures have been taken as asked by the High Court during the last hearing. "There were suggestions that we can hold online exams. our exams have a different pattern and therefore we cannot hold the online examination" he said. 

Referring to the Senior Advocate statement, HC hearing bench stated students need petitioners who need to ask reasonable demands as the requirements can not be fulfilled by the exam body. 

Read: ICAI CA November 2020: Supreme Court heard plea on seeking SOPs for ICAI CA Exams, Court asks to sort out differences

The High Court bench replied to petitioner’s counsel, “How can this be allowed? Just because courts are allowing many things, you cannot keep on asking what you want. Be reasonable in your demands”. 

Ramji Srinivasan also requested the Minister of Home Affairs to allow e-admit cards for booking of hotels for the commencement of the CA 2020 Examination, which was later approved by the state government. 

The court asked ICAI exam body to provide required information requested by the petitioners on ICAI official exam portal. The plea made by students will be disposed of, as exam authorities do not have the required facilities. 

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will now conduct the Chartered Accountant Exams 2020 from November 21, 2020, to December 14, 2020, through offline means for registered candidates. 

Also Read: ICAI Collaborates with IIM Ahmedabad to Introduce CA Courses