CA Inter New and Old September 2026 Exam Question Papers with Suggested Answers
Page last updated: 16 June 2026 | Exam: CA Intermediate September 2026 | Source: ICAI official question papers & suggested answers
The students appearing for the CA Intermediate examination should practice previous year papers regularly to get an understanding of the current pattern of the ICAI examination and key areas from which the examination is conducted. The CA Intermediate New and Old Course question papers will also help the students to analyze their preparation for the upcoming exam. In this article, we have provided CA Inter New Course and Old Course Question Papers for September 2026, with suggested answers in PDF.
Practice of the CA Intermediate question paper will help you increase your speed and accuracy, as well as enhance your confidence level to take up the final exam. By solving these CA Intermediate old question papers, students can get a fair idea about the weightage of each topic, frequently asked concepts, and the difficulty level of questions posed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
CA Inter September 2026 Question Papers PDF
Below is the list of CA Intermediate September 2026 Question Papers & Suggested Answers, arranged group-wise. The PDF of the question papers can be downloaded directly by the students.
Papers | Subjects | Question Papers | Answers |
Group-1 | |||
Paper-1 | Advanced Accounting | ||
Paper-2 | Corporate and Other Laws | ↓Corporate and Other Laws Suggested Answers September 2026 PDF | |
Paper-3 | Taxation | ||
Group-2 | |||
Paper-4 | Cost and Management Accounting | ↓Cost and Management Accounting Question Paper September 2026 PDF | ↓ Cost and Management Accounting Suggested Answers September 2026 PDF |
Paper-5 | Auditing and Ethics | ||
Paper-6 | Financial Management (FM) | ↓Financial Management & Strategic Management Suggested Answers September 2026 PDF | |
| Strategic Management (SM) | |||
Students should analyze these question papers thoroughly, as it will help them to identify the trend of the examination as well as the important concepts being asked.
Use of Suggested Answers
Once you have answered the question paper as per the time limit, try comparing your answers with the Suggested Answers PDF file provided here.
Concentrate on two aspects:
(1) Are your points the same as the expected points by ICAI?
(2) Is your format the same as that rewarded by ICAI?
Why Should You Practice CA Inter Previous Year Question Papers?
Previous year question papers are crucial for preparing for the CA Inter examination since they offer practical experience of the exam scenario. They help students know how questions will be structured in the examinations and which topics have more weightage.
Advantages of Practicing CA Inter Question Papers
- Become aware of the new ICAI examination pattern
- Enhance speed and time management skills
- Recognize important topics having more weightage
- Improve the writing skills of answers
- Boost confidence before the examination
- Assess your strengths and weaknesses
The students who solve previous year question papers are likely to excel in the examination, as they have knowledge of the question pattern.
Subject-Wise CA Intermediate Exam Preparation Strategy
Each of these six CA Intermediate papers have their own flow—chapters that feature frequently, types of questions preferred by the ICAI, and those mistakes which you should be wary of. What follows is an analysis of each paper based on trends identified over several cycles of examination, with special emphasis on areas that you must focus on, answering strategies, and one particular mistake that will cost you marks in each paper.
Paper 1 - Advanced Accounting
High weightage chapters include: Accounting standards (at application level and not definitions), accounting for amalgamation under AS 14, branch and departmental accounts, partnership accounts (for admission, retirement, and dissolution), and company final accounts (including cash flow).
Approach to the paper: This is almost completely a numerical paper. Each question requires neat presentation – narration of transactions, journals/ledger accounts where applicable, and finally ending with the proper statement. The ICAI does not award any marks if there is a proper method but no presentation. Learn to work in columns so that even if you are wrong in your answer, the examiner sees you did things right.
Mistakes to avoid: Candidates get stuck for too long on one tough question, then hurry with the last 20 marks. During the May 2026 exam, many students left the Amalgamation question unanswered despite knowing the technique. Begin by triaging your answer sheets within the first five minutes: solve the questions you can confidently answer, then come back to the tough ones.
Paper 2 – Corporate Law and Others
High weightage chapters include: Chapters from the Companies Act, 2013: Incorporation; Share Capital including issue, forfeiture & reissue; Debentures; Meetings (Board/General); Appointment/Removal of Directors; Registration of Charges. Other laws, such as SEBI (LODR/ICDR), FEMA basics, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, always fetch 30-35 marks.
Approach to the paper: Corporate and Other Laws is an area where marks are awarded to candidates who write in the format expected by ICAI: state the provision, provide the section number, then apply the provision to the facts in the question. It is important not to write essays. For a five-mark question regarding the validity of the notice period for a board meeting, you should include the section number (Section 173), period of notice (seven days with some exceptions), application of the section to the facts provided, and a one-liner conclusion.
Mistakes to avoid: Writing the wrong section or no section at all. In ICAI's examiner's reports, there is always a note about students providing the wrong or no section at all. Memorize the top 30-40 sections.
Paper 3 – Taxation
High weightage chapters in Direct Tax include: Salaries, House Property, Profits and Gains of Business or Profession (PGBP), Short-Term & Long-Term Capital Gains (with Indexation), and Income from Other Sources. Sections under Chapter VI-A, like 80C, 80D & 80G, come every time in most sittings. Set-off and carry-forward of losses form a common connecting chapter.
High weightage chapters in GST include: Supply (Composite and Mixed Supply), Conditions/Restrictions on Input Tax Credit, Place of Supply (of Goods & Services), Compulsory Registration, and Exemptions from Registration and filing of Returns.
Approach to the paper: Questions on taxation always have more than one concept in a fact situation. Before attempting the question, read it entirely and make sure you understand all taxable items, all deductions, and all exemptions in the question. Even if the question doesn’t require it, write down a systematic computation (Gross Total Income –> Deductions –> Total Income –> Tax Liability) as done by the examiner.
Mistake to avoid: Not being aware of the amendments made through Finance Acts. This may not be a common one because the Finance Act is revised every year, but two questions in the May 2026 exam were completely based on new amendments made in the Finance Act 2025. Make a systematic note of all amendments for your study period and revise them two weeks before exams.
Paper 4 – Cost & Management Accounting
High weightage chapters include: Standard costing (All variances: material, labour, overhead & reconciliation of variances), marginal costing (contribution analysis, key factor, make or buy, profit planning), process costing (normal/abnormal loss, equivalent units, joint product/ by-products), budget and budgetary control (flexible budget, cash budget and master budget).
Approach to the paper: Cost Accounting is the most formula-based paper of the CA Intermediate. All variances should be stated properly with proper labelling (F for favourable and A for adverse). The statement of cost should be written in a specified format. ICAI sample solutions follow a definite pattern of format for each chapter, which you need to learn before attempting CA Inter. Even after doing a perfect calculation, a lack of format often leads to poor presentation marks.
Mistake to avoid: Incorrect formulas of variances, especially volume, efficiency, and capacity variances. These three variances are closely related to each other and can often be confused under exam conditions. You should practice deriving these formulas based on their basic concepts because once you know how to do this, you will never have to remember formulas that can confuse you.
Paper 5 – Auditing and Ethics
High weightage chapters include: Standards on Auditing – specifically, SA 200 (Objective & General Principles of Audits), SA 230 (Audit Documentation), SA 315 (Assessment of Risk), SA 500 Series (Audit Evidence), SA 700 (Forming An Opinion), and SA 705/706 (Modified Opinions). Company Audit under the Companies Act, 2013, such as powers and duties of an auditor, reports, etc. ICAI Code of Ethics – particularly, Independence, Confidentiality, and Conflict of Interest, etc.
Approach to the paper: Answers to auditing questions must show that you appreciate the objective of the standard, not simply the text itself. In the case where you are asked what the auditor should do if there is a material misstatement, quoting SA 450 will not be enough – you need to explain the materiality assessment, discuss the communication with the management, and the implications for the audit report, supported by reference to SA 450. For Ethics questions using case studies, you must be able to recognize the ethical issue (familiarity, self-interest, advocacy, etc.) and its importance, and then specify the safeguard required.
Mistake to avoid: Giving answers that would apply to all audits. This is the reason why you are provided with the facts of the question – use them in your answer!
Paper 6 — Financial Management and Strategic Management
High weightage chapters in FM include: Capital budgeting (NPV, IRR, payback period, profitability index – including mutually exclusive project selection criteria), working capital management (working capital management cycle, estimating working capital requirement, cash management models), leveraging (operating, financial, and combined leveraging), cost of capital (cost of capital components and WACC), and dividend theories (Gordon, Walter, and MM).
High weightage chapters in SM include: Tools for strategic analysis (SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s five forces model), strategic formulation (generic strategies, Ansoff’s matrix, BCG matrix), strategic implementation (7S Model, balanced scorecard), and recent cases of strategic application-oriented questions.
Approach to the paper: FM and SM are two very dissimilar papers that appear on one exam paper. The former requires calculations and precision, while the latter requires analytical skills and structured presentation, such as frameworks with application to scenarios and recommendations. Budget your time effectively – before you start, find out which sections have more weightage and decide on the time spent on each. Most students who find Paper 6 difficult tend to allocate their time too much in favor of either FM or SM.
Mistake to avoid in FM: Not stating the decision criteria. NPV must be stated as follows: "Since NPV is positive, the project should be accepted." Similarly, for IRR, "Since the IRR (X%) is greater than the cost of capital (Y%), the project is feasible." You lose marks even if you make the right calculation but fail to conclude.
Mistake to avoid in SM: Defining instead of analyzing. "Porter's Five Forces framework is used to analyze industries" is not an analysis of the competitive environment of a particular firm. Instead, apply the framework as per the scenario provided in the question.
Some of the reviews by CA Aspirants
Many CA candidates who had appeared for the examination mentioned that although the question papers were easy from a concept point of view, they were time-consuming.
CA Inter Accounting Review:
- Raghav: It was easy, but it was a lengthy paper. Could complete only 75 Marks
- Kunnal Verma: The paper was so easy, but it was too lengthy. In the end, the Exam was easy and a bit lengthy.
These analyses give an idea to future candidates about the difficulty level and preparation needed for their next attempt.
CAtestseries.org - 56-64% Questions Same or Similar to the Test Paper Questions
Students are recommended to attend our mock test series before the exams to gain confidence and familiarize themselves with the paper pattern, which is a moderately balanced mix of hard, Medium, and Easy Questions by the Expert Chartered Accountants.
The highlighted questions are already covered in catestseries.org’s mock tests.
Importance of Mock Tests in CA Intermediate Studies
Mock tests perform a different function compared to previous years' papers. Whereas previous year question papers will give insight into the questions already asked, a quality mock test will challenge you based on what could have possibly been asked, incorporating new amendments and approaches to topics tested.
The ideal set of mock tests should be composed of a variety of questions, ranging from knowledge questions through comprehension questions to synthesis-type questions, thus reflecting the actual pattern of the ICAI papers. Furthermore, you ought to undertake your mock tests under exam conditions, i.e., timed, handwritten, and immediate post-examination revision.
The following criteria will come in handy when choosing your mock tests: the papers should be prepared by an experienced and qualified Chartered Accountant, cover the syllabus as per the current ICAI requirements, and provide explanations as well as solutions to each question.
Disclaimer
CAtestseries.org is a paid mock test service featured on this page. It's a paid collaboration. We don't independently validate the effectiveness of any test series provider.
Articles Recommended For CA Inter Students
Apart from the recommended books and other study material, there are several articles that should be read by students who plan to appear for the upcoming CA exams.
- CSR Accounts Audit Amendment for September 2026 Exams
- Study Material for Theory Subjects for CA Final
- Subjectwise CA Inter Practice MCQs with Solution
- CA Intermediate Exam Study Planner for September 2026
Such articles can prove helpful for enhancing preparation skills and knowing about updates in ICAI exams.
Conclusion
CA Intermediate Previous Year Question Papers are some of the most important tools when preparing for any examination. It will help the student to get accustomed to the examination format, improve his/her ability to write answers, and learn time management techniques. Attempting question papers together with the recommended answers helps the student to know what is expected from him/her.
For students planning to attempt the CA Inter exam in September 2026, they need to work hard through the papers and mock tests.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why Should You Solve Previous Year Question Papers for CA Inter Exam?
You must know about the latest ICAI exam pattern, important chapters and concepts, and the trend of questions. It will also boost your speed, accuracy, and time management skills before the actual examination.
2. Are Suggested Answers Important for Preparing for CA Inter?
Yes, suggested answers are important to help you prepare the answer in the right style as per ICAI rules. It will also clear all your concepts and enable you to self-evaluate.
3. How Many Previous Year Papers Should You Solve for the CA Inter Exam?
It is recommended that you solve at least the last 3-5 attempts of the CA Inter question papers before the actual examination so that you get familiar with recurring concepts and boost your confidence level.
4. Are Mock Tests Important for CA Inter Preparation?
Mock tests are very important for your preparation as they will help you practice in a simulated exam environment, and you will be able to increase your writing speed and confidence levels.
5. Where Can You Download CA Inter May 2026 Question Papers?
CA Inter May 2026 Question Papers, along with their suggested answers, can be downloaded from CAtestseries.org.