The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued the ‘Opt-Out’ scheme for students appearing in the November 2020 exams, who have already submitted an online exam application for ICAI November 2020 cycle and are satisfying the 3 conditions, can ‘Opt-out’ for November 2020 exams. The list includes the students who are currently COVID-19 positive or having symptoms of COVID-19 at any time up to the conclusion of exams, the students whose Family members with whom the students are staying are COVID-19 positive or become COVID-19 Positive at any time up to the conclusion of exams, and thirdly, if the area in which the student’s residence is located is declared as a Containment Zone by the Central Government/State Government/Local Authorities at any time up to the conclusion of exams. The Institute has come up with this announcement considering the requests of a large number of students to roll-out the scheme named ‘Opt-out’ for November 2020 exam cycle.

“In this case, the examination fees and exemption, if any, of the particular student will automatically be shifted and carried forward to next examination i.e. November 2020 cycle-II and this attempt (November 2020) will not be counted. The student will not be required to apply afresh or pay any fees for November 2020 Examination cycle-II at the relevant time. Announcement with detailed schedule shall be issued in the second half of December 2020,” the ICAI announced. The Institute while prescribing the procedure to ‘Opt-out’ from November 2020 Exams stated that Candidates need to Submit a declaration online available at the website icaiexam.icai.org from 7th November, 2020 (Saturday) 9.00 PM Onwards.

On submitting the declaration, candidature of the student for November 2020 Examination Cycle-I will be cancelled and he/ she will be given the option to shift in next November 2020 Examination Cycle-II /tranche-II (to be scheduled in the second half of January 2021 / first half of February 2021) or appear in May 2021 Examination Cycle. Earlier, ICAI has released on November 1, 2020 the admit cards for the CA Inter and Final (Old/ New Scheme) examinations to be held in November 2020. Following the criticism from the students and their demands regarding postponement of ICAI CA November 2020 exams, the November 2020 Examination Cycle II to be conducted in the second half of January 2021/ first half of February 2021.