Certified Copies through RTI | Process for CA Students

Zeroinfy.in • Complete Guide • Updated for January 2026

How to Get Your CA Answer Sheets After January 2026 Result — All 3 Options Explained

RTI at ₹10, ICAI Certified Copies (now slashed to ₹100), Marks Verification — complete step-by-step guide with ready-to-use templates. Everything you need to know, in one place.

Updated: March 2026 • New ICAI Fee Structure • Zeroinfy Academic Team
🆕 New for Jan 2026

ICAI has slashed fees effective from the January 2026 exam cycle. Certified Copies: ₹500 → ₹100 per paper (80% cut). Verification: ₹100 → ₹50 per paper (50% cut). Announced December 18, 2025 by ICAI Examination Committee. This changes everything — here's what it means for you.

The January 2026 CA Final results are out. If your marks are not what you expected — or if you are simply curious about how your answer sheet was evaluated — you have the right to access your evaluated answer book. This is not just a privilege; it is your legal right.

There are three distinct routes to get your answer sheets. Most students only know about one. This guide explains all three, compares them honestly, gives you step-by-step instructions for each, and tells you exactly what to do with the copies once you receive them.

The 3 Routes — At a Glance

ICAI Certified Copies
🏛️
₹100

per paper • ~30 days

Marks Verification
📋
₹50

per paper • 45–60 days

RTI Route
📜
₹10

flat (all papers) • ~30 days

Critical deadline

You can apply for ICAI Certified Copies and Marks Verification within 30 days from the date of result declaration through the ICAI portal. The January 2026 result was declared on March 1, 2026 — meaning the deadline is approximately March 31, 2026.

The RTI route has no strict deadline and can be filed at any time after the result.

Detailed Comparison — Which Route Is Right for You?

Feature ICAI Certified Copies Marks Verification RTI Route
Cost (Jan 2026 onwards) ₹100/paper (was ₹500) ₹50/paper (was ₹100) ₹10 flat (all papers)
What you get Scanned copy of your evaluated answer sheet Totalling check only — no copy of sheet Scanned copy of your evaluated answer sheet
Includes verification? Yes (auto) Yes (this is verification) No (photocopy only)
Can marks change? Yes (totalling / unvalued answer) Yes (same reasons) No (needs separate rectification)
Processing time ~30 days 45–60 days ~30 days
Deadline Within 30 days Within 30 days No deadline
Portal eservices.icai.org eservices.icai.org rtionline.gov.in
Best for Answer sheet + possible mark correction Close cases (suspected totalling issue) Cheapest copy, learn for next attempt

💡 Expert Recommendation

  • Short by 1–5 marks or close to exemption? Apply for ICAI Certified Copies (₹100) immediately — it includes verification automatically.
  • Failed by a larger margin? RTI at ₹10 gives you the answer sheet cheaply. Use it to learn and prepare for May 2026.
  • Standalone Verification only? Worth it mainly for objective (MCQ) papers. For descriptive papers, Certified Copies gives better value.
  • Can marks decrease after verification? Yes, technically — but it is rare. Apply when you genuinely believe there’s a discrepancy.

Option 1: ICAI Certified Copies — Step by Step

This is the most recommended route for students close to passing or exemption. At ₹100 per paper (as of January 2026), it is now significantly more affordable than before and includes automatic verification.

1
Go to the ICAI SSP Portal

Visit eservices.icai.org and log in with your SRN and password. Use “Forgot Password” if required.

2
Find the Certified Copies Option

From the dashboard, select “Certified Copies / Inspection” and click “Apply Now.”

3
Fill Examination Details

Select CA Final January 2026, roll number, medium, and choose the papers for which you want copies.

4
Download, Sign & Upload Application

Download the generated form, sign it by hand, scan as PDF and upload back on the portal.

⚡ Signature upload is mandatory — unsigned applications can be rejected.
5
Pay ₹100 Per Paper Online

Pay via net banking / card. Fee is ₹100 per paper effective Jan 2026 (earlier ₹500). Non-refundable.

6
Receive Copies via Email

ICAI emails scanned copies usually within ~30 days. Verification happens automatically; marks can be corrected if discrepancies exist.

Option 2: Marks Verification — Step by Step

Marks Verification is not re-evaluation. ICAI does not re-read and re-assess answers. It checks only technical errors.

🚨 What Verification Checks — and What It Does NOT

  • ✅ Whether all answers have been evaluated (no unvalued questions)
  • ✅ Re-totalling of marks on each page
  • ✅ Marks correctly carried forward to the cover page
  • ✅ Pages are complete and in order
  • ❌ Does NOT re-assess the quality of your answers
  • ❌ Does NOT increase marks because you “deserve more”
  • ❌ Does NOT consider handwriting/presentation beyond evaluation

The process is similar: login to eservices.icai.org, choose “Verification of Marks”, select papers, pay ₹50 per paper, submit. Processing is typically 45–60 days.

Important: If you apply for Certified Copies, verification is included automatically — usually you don’t need to do both.

Option 3: RTI Route — Complete Step by Step

The RTI (Right to Information) Act, 2005 allows you to request copies of your evaluated answer sheets for ₹10. There’s no strict deadline for RTI — you can file it any time after results.

1
Go to the RTI Online Portal

Visit rtionline.gov.in → “Submit Request”. Register with email if you’re a first-time user.

2
Select ICAI as the Public Authority

Search and select “Institute of Chartered Accountants of India” from the dropdown.

3
Fill Personal Details Carefully

Use the same Name/Email/Phone as ICAI records to avoid mismatches and delays.

4
Paste the RTI Application Template

Paste the template below and fill placeholders. Avoid special characters/dashes if the portal rejects them.

⚡ Copy as-is. Keep it clean: plain numbered lines only.
RTI Application Template — Copy & Paste
Subject: Request for Certified Copies of Evaluated Answer Books under RTI Act, 2005 Dear Sir / Madam, I hereby request certified copies of my evaluated answer books under the Right to Information Act, 2005. My examination details are as follows: 1. Full Name: [Your Full Name as per ICAI records] 2. Date of Birth: [DD/MM/YYYY] 3. Registration Number: [Your ICAI Registration Number] 4. Roll Number: [Your Exam Roll Number] 5. Examination: [CA Foundation / CA Intermediate / CA Final] 6. Session: January 2026 7. Contact Number: [Your Mobile Number] I request certified copies of my evaluated answer books for the following papers: 1. Paper [01] — [Subject Name, e.g., Financial Reporting] 2. Paper [02] — [Subject Name, e.g., Advanced Financial Management] 3. Paper [03] — [Subject Name (add or remove lines as needed)] I have attached a self-attested copy of my Admit Card as proof of identity. Yours sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Date]
5
Upload Self-Attested Admit Card

Upload a clear scan/photo of your January 2026 Admit Card with “Self-Attested” + signature.

⚡ If you can’t find it, download again from icaiexam.icai.org using roll + registration number.
6
Pay ₹10 Online

Pay ₹10 on the RTI portal. This single fee covers all papers listed in your application.

7
Wait for Response — 30 Days

ICAI should respond within 30 days. If not, file a First Appeal on rtionline.gov.in and escalate if needed.

⚡ No reply in 30 days → First Appeal. If still unresolved → Second Appeal to CIC.

What to Do After You Receive Your Answer Sheets

Receiving your answer sheet is not the end goal. Learning from it is. Here’s what to check once you get your copies.

✅ What to Look For in Your Answer Sheet

  • Totalling errors: Do question-wise marks sum correctly to the cover page total?
  • Unvalued questions: Any answer written but not marked/ticked?
  • Marks carry-forward: Are page totals correctly added to the cover page?
  • Presentation gaps: Headings, working notes, structure, underlining — often decides 2–6 marks.
  • Where did the examiner stop? If ticks stop early, your answer may be scattered/low-value.
  • What earned marks vs what didn’t: Most valuable learning for May 2026.

📈 How to Use Your Answer Sheet for May 2026 Preparation

  • Identify the exact questions where you lost maximum marks — those become priority topics.
  • Compare your answer format with ICAI Suggested Answers: structure, depth, terminology.
  • If you find a totalling/unvalued error and scored 38–44, apply for rectification on eservices.icai.org quickly.
  • Build a personalised plan based on your sheet — not a generic timetable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does applying for RTI or Certified Copies change my marks automatically?
RTI alone does not change marks — it only provides a photocopy. ICAI Certified Copies (and Marks Verification) can result in marks changing if a technical discrepancy is found (totalling error or unvalued answer). If you find a discrepancy after RTI copies, you must separately apply for rectification on eservices.icai.org within one month of receiving the copies.
Can my marks go down after verification?
Technically yes — if a totalling error inflated your marks, verification can reduce them. However, decreases are rare. Apply only when you genuinely believe there is a discrepancy.
I applied for RTI but got no reply in 30 days. What do I do?
File a First Appeal on rtionline.gov.in. If the First Appellate Authority does not respond or responds unsatisfactorily, you can file a Second Appeal to the Central Information Commission (CIC).
What is the deadline for ICAI Certified Copies for January 2026?
Within 30 days from the date of result declaration. Since the January 2026 result was declared on March 1, 2026, the deadline is approximately March 31, 2026.
Should I apply for Certified Copies or Verification — which is better?
For descriptive papers, Certified Copies is usually better because it includes verification and also provides the answer sheet. Standalone verification is mainly useful for objective (MCQ) papers.
Can I apply for both ICAI Certified Copies and RTI for the same paper?
Yes. But since Certified Copies now costs ₹100 and includes verification, most students use RTI only if they missed the ICAI deadline or want minimal cost.
Will applying for copies affect my May 2026 exam registration?
No. Do not postpone next exam registration while waiting for verification/copies.
The RTI template has a “–” character — will that cause rejection?
The RTI portal may sometimes reject special characters. In this guide, the template uses plain numbered lines. Copy-paste as-is to reduce chances of rejection.
Related reading from Zeroinfy

Preparing for CA Final May 2026?

While you wait for your answer sheets, use the time to sharpen your May 2026 strategy. Zeroinfy offers CA Final video lectures — updated for May 2026 including Finance Act 2025 amendments for DT and latest GST notifications for IDT.

📞 8100 800 600 📞 8100 800 601 💬 9674 400 605
Browse CA Final Courses →
This article is based on official ICAI regulations, RTI Act 2005, and the ICAI fee revision announced December 18, 2025. Deadlines/fees should be verified at icai.org before application as they can change.

1 comment

  • JUSTIN

    I have appeared for CA Final Examination with following particulars: –

    should remove character – in format sample for acceptence in RTI portal

Leave a comment

Back to CA Blogs

CA Blogs