The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) released the scores for the January 2026 Intermediate session on March 8. Out of a mass of 41,798 people who attempted both parts of the test, a small slice of 3,924 individuals managed to pass. Three names were placed at the top of this sorted list: Kanhiya Lal from Ellenabad led with 508 marks out of 600, followed by Fathima Shehza K from Perintalmanna with 504, and Vanya Bansal from Faridabad with 498.
The Statistical Thinning
The ICAI operates a sorting machine that leaves most participants behind. The numbers show a steep drop-off for those trying to clear the entire hurdle at once.
Only 9.39% of candidates who took both exam groups together found success.
Group I had a slightly wider gate, allowing 13.96% (14,733 out of 105,526) to pass.
Group II saw the highest movement, with 15.54% (10,798 out of 69,477) clearing the requirements.
"Prasanna Kumar D., president of the ICAI, acknowledged the results on Sunday as the new merit list was made public."
The Top Tally
| Rank | Name | Location | Score (out of 600) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR 1 | Kanhiya Lal | Ellenabad | 508 | 84.67% |
| AIR 2 | Fathima Shehza K | Perintalmanna | 504 | 84.00% |
| AIR 3 | Vanya Bansal | Faridabad | 498 | 83.00% |
Labor and Next Steps
For those who survived the January tally, the institutional requirements now shift toward two years of practical labor, known as articleship.
The deadline for registering for the final stage of the Chartered Accountancy course is March 16, 2026.
Candidates who fell short of the mark have a short wait until the May 2026 attempt.
The SSP portal remains the primary interface for this administrative movement.
Context of the Ledger
The CA Intermediate exam acts as a middle-tier filter for the financial industry in India. Over the last several cycles, the names at the top change, but the steepness of the curve remains.
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In September 2025, Akshat Birendra Nautiyal held the top spot, while May 2025 saw Disha Ashish Gokhru at the peak. The system produces a steady, thin stream of qualified labor through these staggered, high-pressure windows. The January session, being a newer addition to the exam calendar, continues to mirror the low-percentage clearance patterns of previous years.