What ICAI FR RTPs Are Really Signalling for CA Final Jan 2026 (Trend Analysis)
ZeroInFY • CA Final
What ICAI’s FR RTPs Are Really Signalling (Nov’24 → May’25 → Sep’25 → Jan’26)
A practical “pattern decoder” to help you prioritise the right Ind AS areas for CA Final.
🎯 Student Goal
Study the right chapters the right way in the last-mile revision.
⚠️ Important
RTP is not a question-paper blueprint. But ICAI uses RTP to signal (1) examiner mindset, (2) recurring traps, and (3) hot areas where judgement + working notes matter most.
📌 What we analysed
- FR RTP Nov 2024 (Revenue, Leases scope tests, Borrowing costs logic, Consolidation case, etc.)
- FR RTP May 2025 (Business combinations, piecemeal acquisition, Ind AS 21 CTA disposal, Ind AS 32 compound instruments, Ind AS 105 held-for-sale, etc.)
- FR RTP Sep 2025 (Financial instruments amortised cost, joint operations, PPE + dismantling PV, loss of control consolidation case, etc.)
- FR RTP Jan 2026 (your current focus RTP) including Ind AS 115, 116, 102, 21, 32, 7, etc.
🔍 The core pattern (the linkage students miss)
ICAI doesn’t “repeat questions” — it repeats decision frameworks.
RTPs often introduce a framework once, then ICAI asks a twisted version in the next attempt(s).
So your strategy is: learn the framework + the triggers + the working note skeleton.
RTPs often introduce a framework once, then ICAI asks a twisted version in the next attempt(s).
So your strategy is: learn the framework + the triggers + the working note skeleton.
📈 RTP Trend Continuity (Nov’24 → May’25 → Sep’25 → Jan’26)
| Theme / Area | How ICAI Built It in RTPs | What It Signals for Jan’26 |
|---|---|---|
| Ind AS 115 – Revenue | Nov’24 RTP uses revenue scenarios with financing component + right of return + retrospective price changes/variable consideration.
(Framework-heavy MCQ style, not memory.)
|
Expect judgement + allocation logic: contract modification, variable consideration updates, upfront payments treated as transaction price adjustment.
Do not prepare only journal entries—prepare logic + working notes.
|
| Ind AS 116 – Leases | Nov’24 RTP tests the “identified asset + substitution rights” decision tree using fiber cable scenarios (scope question). | Jan’26 focus is likely to be computational + conceptual: lease term judgement, ROU + lease liability, depreciation, modifications. |
| Ind AS 103 / Business Combinations | May’25 RTP pushes contingent liabilities + indemnification assets, and also reinforces stage acquisition mechanics. | Prepare for business combination caselets where ICAI checks: what is recognized vs disclosed + how goodwill shifts. |
| Ind AS 21 – Foreign operations | May’25 RTP explicitly tests CTA treatment on disposal of foreign subsidiary (what goes to P&L, what stays in OCI). | Jan’26 again signals net investment + OCI vs P&L distinctions. This is a repeatable exam favourite. |
| Ind AS 32 – Financial Instruments (Presentation) | May’25 RTP includes convertible debenture split (liability + equity) and accounting on repurchase. | Jan’26 continues with complex instruments (e.g., OCDs / conversion vs redemption outcomes). Workings matter. |
| Ind AS 16 / Provisions / Dismantling PV | Nov’24 RTP tests restoration obligation logic (constructive obligation angle) + discounting logic. Sep’25 RTP again tests dismantling PV + abnormal costs + major overhaul. | Jan’26 students must be fluent in PV + unwinding + capitalization exclusions (abnormal costs). |
| Ind AS 23 – Borrowing Costs | Nov’24 RTP highlights the examiner’s favourite trap: cash outflow basis vs accrual basis for capitalization. | Jan’26 can test commencement criteria + temporary investment income set-off. Learn the template. |
| Consolidation (Ind AS 110 + CFS) | Nov’24 RTP includes a full consolidation build with deferred consideration + goodwill + PPE FV adjustments. Sep’25 RTP includes loss of control and retained investment treatment. | Jan’26 signal: consolidation is non-negotiable (group ESOPs, foreign ops, loss of control, consolidated cash flows). |
✅ What this means for students (the “do this, not that”)
🧠 1) Framework > Formula
Most RTPs test “why” (classification, recognition, remeasurement triggers). If you only mug up journal entries, MCQs will hurt.
🧾 2) Working Notes are the real answer
ICAI is pushing computation-based MCQs (revenue financing component, lease liability, PV/unwinding, held-for-sale).
🏢 3) Group accounting is a rank-decider
Consolidation + foreign ops CTA + complex instruments repeatedly appear. If ignored, you lose 15–25 marks potential.
🔥 4) High-probability hot zones
Ind AS 115, 116, 21, 32, 103, 23 + Consolidation themes show strong continuity across terms.
🎯 Jan 2026 “Priority Stack” (What to revise first)
- Ind AS 102 / Group ESOP (if applicable in your syllabus mapping) — prepare a 1-page decision tree + consolidated impact logic.
- Ind AS 115 — variable consideration + financing component + contract modification working notes.
- Ind AS 116 — identified asset test + full lease computation template.
- Ind AS 21 — net investment + CTA on disposal + OCI vs P&L triggers.
- Ind AS 32 / Complex instruments — split accounting + scenario outcomes (conversion vs redemption).
- Consolidation — acquisition + FV adjustments + deferred consideration + loss of control.
- Ind AS 23 + Ind AS 16 — capitalization template + dismantling PV + unwinding.
📣 Final note for students
✅ Jan 2026 FR Focus:
ICAI is not testing memory — it’s testing judgement + working notes.
🔥 High probability areas: Ind AS 115, 116, 21, 32 + Consolidation + PV/unwinding (Ind AS 16/23).
✅ Strategy: Learn the framework (recognise/measure/classify), then practise 8–10 exam-style caselets with full working notes.
ICAI is not testing memory — it’s testing judgement + working notes.
🔥 High probability areas: Ind AS 115, 116, 21, 32 + Consolidation + PV/unwinding (Ind AS 16/23).
✅ Strategy: Learn the framework (recognise/measure/classify), then practise 8–10 exam-style caselets with full working notes.
Prepared by Zeroinfy • For CA Final Jan 2026 students • Share it with your study group ✅