CA's May examination cancelled, to be merged with Nov cycle: ICAI tells SC

New Delhi: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) on Monday informed the Supreme Court that the May cycle of CA examination, scheduled between July 29 and August 16, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The counsel appearing for ICAI told a bench comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna that now the May cycle examination will be merged with the November 2020 cycle of the CA exam.

The apex court was hearing through video-conferencing a plea which had challenged the ‘opt-out’ option provided by ICAI alleging that it “arbitrarily” discriminate between the aspirants in May cycle of CA examination. The plea had also sought more centres for the examination across the country.

“In view of the additional affidavit dated July 6, 2020 filed by ICAI, as the examination scheduled in July 2020 has been cancelled, nothing survives for consideration in the present writ petition,” the bench noted in its order.
Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, appearing for the petitioner, pointed out to certain aspects related to the CA examinations.

The top court granted liberty to the petitioner to make a representation before the ICAI in this regard and said that ICAI would decide it preferably within four weeks after receiving the same.

“Although, we intend to dispose of this writ petition, liberty is granted to the petitioner to make a representation to the ICAI in respect of other suggestions/issues which be decided by the ICAI on its own merits and in accordance with law expeditiously, preferably within four weeks from receipt of a copy of the representation. Ordered accordingly,? the bench said while disposing of the petition.