SC asks ICAI to keep 'opt-out' flexible till the last exam, Read here

Around 55,000 candidates have 'opted-out' from CA July 2020 examinations due to the risk of COVID-19 pandemic. Read here what SC ordered ICAI regarding the 'opt-out' facility, 

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will be conducting CA July 2020 examinations from July 29 to August 16, 2020. However, after considering COVID-19 related health risks, ICAI has decided to give candidates a choice to 'opt-out' from CA July 2020 examinations. The students who will 'opt-out' from CA July 2020 session will be exempted and, their examination fees will be carried forward to November 2020 exam cycle.

A plea was filed in Supreme Court stating that opt-out from examination to be a flexible choice as well as, increase the number of test centres for CA July 2020 examination. ICAI intended to file an affidavit against the plea on June 29 through email. However, SC told ICAI to consider the plea and allow candidates to opt-out from July 2020 examinations till the last. A bench of three judges questioned ICAI, "There can be a situation where a student opted for a centre but that becomes a containment zone. Can the student opt for a last-minute change of centre?"

A revised notification for the same will be released by ICAI anytime soon. The facility to change exam centres and 'opt-out' from CA July 2020 examinations was started on June 17 and, later the 'opt-out' facility was extended until June 30.

On June 26, ICAI notified, "In continuation to Important Announcement dated 21st June 2020, in which students (who had already submitted online examination application for May 2020 Examination cycle) were given an option to decide at their own will and “Opt-Out” from May 2020 examinations and carry forward their candidature to next examination i.e. November 2020 examination cycle up to 27th June 2020 (Saturday).

In view of feedback received from the students who have already submitted online examination application for May 2020 Examination, it is decided that the request of students for allowance of some more time for exercising the Opt-Out option be extended till 30th June 2020 (Tuesday) up to 11.59 PM.

Therefore, students who at their own will decide of availing “Opt-Out” option and wish to carry forward their candidature to next examination i.e. November 2020 examination cycle may apply for opt-out option &submit a declaration online available at https://icaiexam.icai.org latest by 30th June 2020 (Tuesday) up to 11.59 PM."

Until now, around 55,000 candidates from CA Foundation, Intermediate and Final courses have 'opted-out' from CA July 2020 examinations due to the risk of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Read More: 

• ICAI 2020 exam dates as revised
• ICAI 2020 admit card 
• ICAI 2020 exam centres in India and Abroad