CA Final — The Toughest Battle
CA Final is the last gate before you become a Chartered Accountant. With pass percentages that have touched as low as 6% and climbed to 36%, understanding the trends is crucial before you sit for this exam.
CA Final Pass Percentage Table (2018–2026)
| Attempt | Group 1 % | Group 2 % | Both Groups % |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | 12.00% | 20.49% | 14.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 21.03% | 9.76% | 10.97% |
| Sep 2025 | 24.66% | 25.26% | 16.23% |
| May 2025 | 22.38% | 26.43% | 18.75% |
| Nov 2024 | 16.80% | 21.36% | 13.44% |
| May 2024 | 27.35% | 36.35% | 19.88% |
| Nov 2023 | 9.46% | 21.60% | 9.42% |
| May 2023 | 11.91% | 31.43% | 8.33% |
| Nov 2022 | 21.39% | 18.61% | 11.09% |
| May 2022 | 21.99% | 21.94% | 12.59% |
| Dec 2021 | 22.30% | 30.52% | 15.31% |
| Jul 2021 | 20.23% | 17.36% | 11.97% |
| Jan 2021 | 6.55% | 18.04% | 6.00% |
| Nov 2020 | 12.84% | 30.97% | 14.47% |
| Nov 2019 | 17.34% | 28.15% | 15.12% |
| May 2019 | 16.87% | 17.55% | 20.85% |
| Nov 2018 | 14.30% | 27.03% | 16.44% |
| May 2018 | 11.36% | 7.95% | 9.83% |
Observations
- Group 2 almost always has a higher pass rate than Group 1 — in 13 out of 18 attempts. Group 2 includes Financial Reporting and Indirect Tax, which reward systematic study.
- January 2021 was the hardest — Group 1 at just 6.55%. This was the COVID-disrupted session with a new exam format.
- May 2024 was the easiest recent session — Group 2 hit 36.35%. Students who were prepared walked out with a clear pass.
- Both Groups pass rate is lower — by 5–10% points than individual groups, consistently. This doesn't mean attempting both is wrong — it reflects the larger pool of weaker candidates attempting both.
What This Means for You
If you have cleared CA Intermediate and have 8+ months before CA Final, attempting both groups in the same sitting is achievable. If you have 4–5 months, go group by group — but be strategic. Start with Group 2 if you are strong in law and tax.
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