ICAI CA Exam 2021: Candidates Suffering From Covid-19 Can Opt-Out, Says Supreme Court

CA Exams Opt Out: The apex court further directed that RT-PCR negative reports will not be mandatory as long as the candidate gets a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

Supreme Court. (File Photo)

CA Exams Opt Out: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday allowed the candidates registered to appear for the ICAI Chartered Accountant (CA) exams 2021 to opt out if they or anyone amongst their family is suffering from the covid-19 virus. The apex court further directed that RT-PCR negative reports will not be mandatory as long as the candidate gets a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

A bench led by Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari, and Aniruddha Bose were hearing the petition related to the ICAI CA examination 2021 today. The bench observed that candidates who are residing in containment zones can choose to opt-out of the ICAI CA exam 2021 scheduled to be held in July. However, candidates will be able to appear for the examinations in November 2021. 

The court also ordered the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to ensure the standard operating procedure regarding the covid-19 is strictly followed at each examination center. 

If any candidate, while appearing for the exams, gets infected with the covid-19 and is unable to attempt the remaining paper, s/he will be allowed to opt-out of the examination. The candidates will be given an opportunity to appear for the ICAI CA exam in November 2021. 

Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora appearing for the petitioners said that the note submitted by the institute is not in accordance with the court's observation made during yesterday's hearing. "Opt-out option has to be given to those who suffered from COVID-19 or if their family members suffered from COVID-19. The ICAI note does not capture it," she said. 

Note: Candidates are advised to keep visiting the official website of the institute regularly for the latest updates regarding the ICAI CA Exam 2021.