In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of the well - being of students and to mitigate their hardships, as proactive measure for benefit and welfare of the students, an Important Announcement dated 15th June 2020 (Click Here) was issued inter alia extended an option to the examinees who have made applications for appearance in May 2020 examinations to Change the Centre of Examination or to “Opt-Out” of May 2020 Examinations and in lieu of it appear in November 2020 Examination with due carry over of the fees paid, exemptions etc.

The Institute is receiving various queries / observations from the students / members and other stake holders related to aforementioned announcement. In this regard for the benefit of students it is decided to prepare a set of FAQs with their answers. The FAQ’s will be uploaded on Institute website by today evening.

The candidates are advised to note the above and stay in touch with the website of the Institute, www.icai.org.

S. No.

Question

Answer

1

What precautions Students are required to take at the time of reporting at Examination Centre?

Students are required to take following precautions at the time of reporting at Examination Centre:

(a)   Wearing of Face Mask is compulsory at all the time at the Examination Centre;

(b)  To carry a small transparent bottle of hand sanitizer for personal use;

(c)   To maintain social distancing at all the times at the Examination Centre; and,

(d)  To reach their examination centre atleast 1 hour before the exam time.

2

What procedure would be followed by ICAI by for admitting the students in the Examination Centre?

ICAI will issue necessary instructions to their Examination Centres to take all necessary precautions, which among others will include: 

(a)   All students have to undergo a thermal scanning before entering the examination centre/ hall;

(b)  Students will be hand sanitized before entering the examination centre / hall;

(c)   Students will be hand sanitized before and after using lavatory;

(d)  Students will be admitted only if they are wearing face mask; and,

(e)   Proper social distancing between students will be maintained both at the entrance of Centre and in the Examination Hall, at all times during the conduct of Examination.

3

What    will    happen,    if    any student      has      fever?  Will Examination  Centre  allow  him to write the Exam?

No, such student will not be allowed to enter Examination Centre with fever traced in thermal   scanning.   However,   if   the student produces a valid Medical Certificate to the effect that Fever is not on account of COVID – 19, he will be permitted to enter the examination hall. The said certificate should be issued by a Medical Practitioner having an MBBS Degree or more. The certificate is to be submitted at the examination centre at the time of entry.

4

What will happen if any student forgot to bring face mask at the Examination Centre?

Student has to mandatory wear face mask at the time of entry and during the conduct of Exam. ICAI will make necessary arrangement

of mask on need basis.

5

Will the Examination Centre be sanitized on the Examination dates?

Yes. Examination Centres will be sanitized on the examination date. Examination Centres will be advised to keep sanitizers at the entry of centre, entry of exam hall and washrooms

and/or at other prominent places as well.

6

Will Examination Functionaries will take necessary precautions

for COVID?

Yes,    Examination   functionaries   will    take necessary precautions for COVID.

7

Is extension of Intermediate (IPC) [Old Course] up to November 2020 Examination only for the students who “Opt

out” or for “All”?

It is applicable for all the students.

8

Will November 2020 be the last attempt for Final [Old Course] Students?

As per the decision of the Council, 6 attempts are to be given for Students of old course, accordingly, for those students who “opt out” from May 2020 Examination cycle will be automatically given extension up to May 2021.

For Students who are not opting out, examination committee will send recommendation to the Council for necessary support to students.

9

Whether next Examination will be held in November 2020 or December 2020?

On successful conclusion of May 2020 Examination (now July 2020) as per schedule announced, November 2020 exam cycle will commence from 01st week of December 2020.

10

What will happen if residence of a student comes under containment zone during the conduct of Examinations?

In case, residence of a student will fall under containment zone, such student will be given an option to apply for “opt out” with the copy of said notification/order of competent authority, and he/she will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carry forward of fee, exemption etc.

11

What will happen if any Examination Centre comes under containment zone either before beginning of examination or in between the examination dates?

ICAI will take all necessary steps to shift all the students to nearby examination Centre in non-containment zone. In case, Centre is not available nearby, then, students will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits  in   terms   of  carry   forward   of  fee, exemption etc.

12

What will happen if a particular city may not be able to conduct the examination due to the high magnitude of the outbreak of COVID - 19 cases?

All the students appearing for exams in such city will automatically be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carry forward of fee, exemption etc.

13

What will happen if a student give 3 papers but on day of 4th paper, his residence comes under containment zone, i.e. in cases of partial attendance in exams.

In that case, such student will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carry forward of fee, exemption etc. subject to submission of Notice/Order / Letter / Notification, etc. from the competent Authority.

Kindly note that student has to write complete group in the next examination cycle i.e. shifting of partial paper(s) is not allowed.

14

What will happen if any student has appeared for all papers of one group but during any paper of the second group, his residence/examination centre comes under containment zone

i.e. for partial attendance?

In that case, first group will be taken as completely appeared.

Kindly note that student has to write second group in the next examination cycle i.e. shifting of partial paper(s) in a group is not allowed.

15

What will happen if a student is found COVID – 19 positive either before or during the examination or is not in good health to appear in this examination?

Such student will not be allowed to appear in July 2020 examination and will be accommodated by ICAI to next examination cycle, i.e. November 2020 on submission of a test report.

Looking into the health scare due to pandemic and student finding himself with indicative symptoms at any time, such student may opt for next examination cycle on submission of a valid Medical Certificate. The said certificate should be issued by a Medical Practitioner having an MBBS Degree or more.

16

If any student does not choose “Opt Out” now, can he later opt out from the Examination?

It will be permitted only in case residence of such student falls under containment zone subsequently or he is not keeping well on account of COVID/other health issues as per a valid medical certificate.

17

If any student chooses “Opt Out” now, can he later opt to

give the Examinations?

Such change will not be permitted thereafter.

18

If any student chooses “Opt Out” now and later Institute postpone the Examinations, then what will be the remedial action?

In such case, all the students will be shifted to November 2020 Examination cycle with all benefits in terms of carry forward of fee, exemption etc.

19

Can a student change his Examination City after correction window gets closed?

Not Permitted. The students’ decision taken through correction window from June 17th to 20th, 2020 will be final. No change will be entertained thereafter.

20

Is there any other document / letter which has to be uploaded when I choose “Opt Out”?

Only duly filled and signed declaration (in the given format) is to be uploaded in the correction window.

21

What should a student do in case he wishes to choose ‘Opt – Out’ facility but does not have print facility available at his home or nearby market to print the declaration format?

Such students are advised to submit/upload a scanned copy of hand written declaration duly signed and containing all the relevant particulars required as per the format.

However, this option must be exercised only where print facility is not available with the student.

22

Will Water be provided at the Examination     Centre     during conduct of examination?

Yes, but students are advised, in their own interest, to carry their own water bottle at the Examination Centre.