When Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announced the May 2025 Chartered Accountancy results on , students across the country rushed to check their scores.
The result portal, hosted on ICAI’s official sites, revealed that 14,247 candidates cleared the three‑level exam, with Rajan from Maharashtra emerged as the Final exam topper. The announcement came earlier than the scheduled 2:00 PM IST (Intermediate/Final) and 5:00 PM IST (Foundation) release times, a move praised by aspirants and reported by The Indian Express and Times of India.
Historical Context and Examination Timeline
The CA May 2025 examinationsmultiple centres across India ran from May 2 to May 21, testing over 100,000 candidates in the Foundation, Intermediate and Final stages. The exams, part of a three‑year professional pathway established under the Chartered Accountants Act of 1949, have historically seen pass rates hovering around 15‑20 % for the Intermediate group.
In the current cycle, The Indian Express noted that only 14.67 % of the 97,034 candidates who sat for Intermediate Group I succeeded, a dip that mirrors the rising difficulty of the syllabus and tighter grading norms introduced in 2024.
How to Access Your Scorecard
Candidates can retrieve their result by visiting any of the three official portals: icai.nic.in, icaiexam.icai.org, or icai.org. After clicking the “Results – CA May 2025” link, they must select their exam level, enter the roll number (or registration number), PIN, date of birth and pass the CAPTCHA.
The resulting scorecard displays subject‑wise marks, total score, and the pass/fail flag. A candidate who scores at least 40 % in each paper and 50 % aggregate passes, while anyone crossing the 70 % mark earns a “Pass with Distinction.” This distinction can boost placement prospects, as highlighted by Lingaya's Vidyapeeth in its July 6 notice about the upcoming campus placement drive starting July 10.
Pass Criteria, Distinctions and Statistics
- Minimum 40 % per paper, 50 % aggregate required to pass.
- 70 %+ overall earns “Pass with Distinction.”
- Total qualifiers: 14,247 candidates.
- Intermediate Group I pass rate: 14.67 % (14,232 out of 97,034).
- Final exam topper: Rajan (Maharashtra).
Beyond raw numbers, the distinction has practical value. Recruiters in top accounting firms often filter resumes for “Distinction” holders, and ICAI‑affiliated training institutes like CA CS Karthik Manikonda report higher placement conversion rates for this cohort.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Students expressed mixed feelings. “I’m relieved to see the results early; it gives us breathing room before the September batch,” said Ananya Sharma, a Final‑level candidate from Delhi. Meanwhile, coaching centers faced a surge in inquiries about re‑valuation. ICAI allows a 30‑day window for candidates to apply for re‑checking, a service that The CA Classroom has already advertised.
Industry experts, such as senior partner Amit Joshi of Deloitte India, noted that the lower pass rate could signal tighter talent pipelines, urging firms to broaden training programs for aspirants who narrowly miss the mark.
What’s Next for Aspirants?
Those who didn’t clear can re‑appear in the September 2025 session, for which eligibility details were released on April 4, 2025. The September exams will follow a similar timetable, with results expected by early November.
Successful candidates, now officially Chartered Accountants, will receive invitation letters for the ICAI campus placement drive slated to start on July 10. The drive connects fresh CAs with leading firms in audit, tax, and advisory services across India.
Background: The ICAI’s Role in India’s Accounting Landscape
Founded in New Delhi, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India functions as the statutory body governing the accounting profession. Over the past seven decades, the ICAI has raised the bar for financial reporting, corporate governance, and taxation compliance. Its rigorous exam structure—Foundation, Intermediate, and Final—ensures only a small, highly qualified pool of professionals enter the market each year.
Historically, pass percentages have fluctuated with curriculum revisions. The 2024 overhaul introduced advanced IFRS topics and a greater emphasis on data analytics, a change many candidates cited as a factor behind the current dip in pass rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can candidates download their CA May 2025 scorecards?
Visit ICAI’s official portals (icai.nic.in, icaiexam.icai.org, or icai.org), click the “Results – CA May 2025” link, select the exam level, and enter the roll number, PIN, date of birth and the CAPTCHA. The system will display a PDF‑like scorecard showing subject marks, total score and pass/fail status.
What are the pass and distinction criteria for these exams?
A candidate must secure at least 40 % in each paper and 50 % aggregate to pass. Scoring 70 % or higher across the group earns a “Pass with Distinction,” which is highly valued by recruiters and can enhance placement opportunities.
Who topped the CA Final examination in May 2025?
The Final exam topper was Rajan, a Maharashtra native whose father is also a Chartered Accountant.
What options do candidates have if they fail?
Unsuccessful candidates can apply for a re‑valuation within 30 days of result publication or register for the next exam cycle, the September 2025 session, for which eligibility was announced on April 4, 2025.
When does the ICAI campus placement drive begin?
The placement drive for the May 2025 qualifiers kicks off on July 10, 2025, offering fresh Chartered Accountants a direct pipeline to leading audit, tax and advisory firms across India.
