Is ICAI a public authority under the RTI Act? It is a professional body, not a government department.

Yes. ICAI is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. The RTI Act defines 'public authority' to include bodies established or constituted by or under a law made by Parliament. ICAI is established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 — a Central legislation — and is administered under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has confirmed in multiple decisions that ICAI is a public authority and is obligated to respond to RTI applications. The fact that ICAI is a professional regulatory body funded primarily by member fees does not exempt it from RTI obligations — statutory constitution under a Parliamentary law is sufficient. RTI applications to ICAI are legally maintainable, and any refusal to respond can be challenged before the CIC.

Can I get a copy of my CA answer sheet through RTI, or must I use ICAI's own verification scheme?

You can use both routes, and they are independent of each other. ICAI operates its own post-result scheme — candidates can apply for certified copies of evaluated answer sheets through ICAI's examination department against a prescribed fee and within the window announced after each result. This internal scheme is governed by ICAI's own examination regulations. An RTI application, by contrast, is a statutory right under the RTI Act, 2005, and is not contingent on whether ICAI's internal window is open. You can file an RTI at any time to seek your evaluated answer sheet, subject-wise marks, or details of any moderation applied — even after ICAI's own scheme window has closed. The RTI route is particularly useful when ICAI's internal process has been exhausted or you seek additional information (such as the moderation policy or examiner identity) that ICAI's scheme does not provide. Note that ICAI may raise Section 8(1)(e) or 8(1)(g) to withhold the identities of individual examiners or evaluators; however, your own marks and answer sheet copy do not fall within any Section 8 exemption.

How do I verify whether a person claiming to be a Chartered Accountant is genuinely registered with ICAI and in good standing?

Before filing an RTI, use ICAI's publicly available online member search at icai.org — the 'Find a Member' tool allows anyone to search by name or membership number and see the member's current status, including whether they hold an active Certificate of Practice (CoP). This is the fastest route for basic verification. If you need an official written confirmation — for example, for use in a legal dispute, audit empanelment, or regulatory filing — file an RTI with ICAI's CPIO asking: (1) whether [Name], Membership Number [XXX], is a member of ICAI; (2) the current status of the membership (associate/fellow, active/suspended/removed); and (3) whether the member currently holds an active Certificate of Practice. If you suspect the membership number is fabricated or the online database is not current, an RTI response constitutes an official public record and carries evidentiary value. Additionally, ask whether the person is entitled to use the designation 'CA' — a member whose CoP has been cancelled is not authorised to practise as a CA, and an RTI can confirm this.

What can RTI establish about a disciplinary complaint against a CA — and is information about ongoing inquiries available?

RTI can establish different things depending on whether proceedings have concluded or are ongoing. For concluded disciplinary cases, the final order of the Board of Discipline or Disciplinary Committee of ICAI — including findings and any punishment imposed — is a quasi-judicial record and is disclosable through RTI. You can ask for the complaint number, the stage of proceedings, and a copy of the final order. For ongoing disciplinary inquiries, ICAI is likely to withhold information under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act, which exempts information that would impede the process of investigation or prosecution. The CIC has consistently upheld this exemption for active disciplinary proceedings to protect the integrity of the inquiry. However, even for an ongoing matter, ICAI can be asked: (a) whether a complaint has been registered and the complaint number; (b) the current stage (Director (Discipline), Board of Discipline, or Disciplinary Committee); and (c) whether a hearing date has been fixed. Refusal to even confirm whether a complaint exists may be challenged in a First Appeal. Once proceedings are concluded and an order is passed, the full text of the order is disclosable.

ICAI has not responded to my RTI within 30 days. What should I do?

If ICAI's CPIO does not provide a response within 30 days of receipt of your RTI application, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at ICAI — within 30 days of the date of the decision or the expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. Address the First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority, ICAI, ICAI Bhawan, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi – 110002. In your appeal, state the RTI registration number, the date of filing, and the fact that no response has been received within the statutory period. If the FAA also does not respond adequately within 30 days of receipt of the First Appeal, file a Second Appeal under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the date on which the FAA should have decided. As ICAI is a Central Government body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the second appeal goes to the CIC — not a State Information Commission. The CIC has powers under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on the CPIO for unjustified delays or refusals.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with ICAI — CA Exam Marks, Certificate of Practice and Disciplinary Proceedings

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How to File RTI with ICAI — CA Exam Marks, Certificate of Practice and Disciplinary Proceedings

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for CA Foundation/Intermediate/Final exam marks, answer sheet copies, certificate of practice status, firm registration details, and disciplinary proceedings against a CA member. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryMinistry of Corporate Affairs

Address RTI ToCPIO, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICAI Bhawan, Post Box No. 7112, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi – 110002

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is the national professional body that regulates the chartered accountancy profession in India. Established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, ICAI sets the curriculum for CA education, conducts the CA Foundation, Intermediate, and Final examinations, grants membership and Certificates of Practice (CoP), registers CA firms, and exercises disciplinary jurisdiction over its members. ICAI functions under the administrative oversight of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.

Despite being a professional regulatory body, ICAI is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005 — it is constituted under an Act of Parliament and exercises statutory powers over a profession. The Central Information Commission has confirmed this position in multiple decisions. Citizens, examination candidates, and stakeholders have a statutory right to seek information from ICAI under the RTI Act, and ICAI is legally bound to respond within 30 days.

RTI applications to ICAI are useful for a wide range of purposes: students who want their CA exam marks and answer sheets; employers and clients who want to verify whether a person is genuinely a CA in good standing; parties to disputes who need to check the disciplinary history of a CA; and anyone seeking ICAI's regulations, circulars, or annual data.

What RTI Can and Cannot Get from ICAI

Information That Is Disclosable

Category	What You Can Obtain
CA exam marks	Subject-wise marks for Foundation, Intermediate, and Final examinations
Evaluated answer sheets	Certified copy of your own evaluated answer booklet(s) for any CA exam paper
Moderation and adjustment	Whether any moderation, grace marks, or statistical adjustment was applied to your result, and on what basis
Member status	Whether a named person is a member of ICAI; membership category (associate/fellow); current status (active/suspended/removed)
Certificate of Practice (CoP)	Whether a named CA holds an active CoP — or whether it has been suspended or cancelled
Firm registration	Registration details of a CA firm: partners/proprietors on record, registered office, and current registration status
Concluded disciplinary orders	Final orders of the Board of Discipline or Disciplinary Committee in concluded proceedings
ICAI regulations and circulars	Rules, regulations, guidelines, and circulars issued by ICAI under the CA Act 1949
Annual reports and membership data	ICAI annual reports, number of members, number of firms registered

Information That Is Typically Withheld

Category	Likely Exemption	Basis
Identity of exam paper setters	Section 8(1)(e) / 8(1)(g)	Information available in fiduciary capacity; relates to intellectual property and third-party evaluator privacy
Identity of individual answer sheet evaluators	Section 8(1)(e) / 8(1)(g)	Same basis; though the CIC has in some cases held that evaluator identities are disclosable
Details of an ongoing disciplinary inquiry	Section 8(1)(h)	Information that would impede investigation or prosecution if disclosed prematurely
Documents filed by third parties in disciplinary proceedings (e.g., complainant's confidential documents)	Section 8(1)(j)	Third-party personal information with no overriding public interest
Information about another member's confidential client engagements	Section 8(1)(j)	Third-party personal and commercial information

Common RTI Use Cases

Situation	What RTI Can Establish	What It Cannot
Exam result doubt (CA Foundation/Intermediate/Final)	Subject-wise marks, certified answer sheet copy, whether moderation was applied	Identity of paper setter; examiner identity (may be withheld)
Verifying a CA's credentials	Membership status, CoP status, membership number, date of membership	Client engagements or professional fees
Checking a CA firm's credentials	Partners on record, firm registration number, firm status	Client-specific audit reports
Disciplinary history of a CA	Final orders in concluded proceedings; whether a complaint has been registered	Details of ongoing inquiry under S.8(1)(h)
Regulatory compliance	Applicable ICAI regulations, circulars, guidelines for audit firms	Draft or unpublished regulatory proposals

Where to File

ICAI falls under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for RTI purposes. File your RTI at rtionline.gov.in.

Step-by-Step: Filing on the RTI Online Portal

Visit rtionline.gov.in and log in or create an account
Click Submit Request
Under Ministry/Department, select Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Under Public Authority, select Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
Paste your application in the text field (limit: 3,000 characters). If it exceeds this, attach the full text as a PDF
Attach supporting documents if needed — for exam queries, attach a copy of your admit card or result; for membership/firm queries, attach any document that identifies the member or firm
Pay ₹10 online via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. BPL cardholders are fully exempt — select the BPL option and attach a self-attested copy of your BPL ration card
Submit and note the registration number for tracking under View Status on the portal

Alternative: By Post or In Person

ICAI also has a designated CPIO at its headquarters and at regional offices. You may send a written application by registered post to:

CPIO, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICAI Bhawan, Post Box No. 7112, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi – 110002

Enclose a demand draft or Indian Postal Order of ₹10 payable to the Accounts Officer, ICAI. The online route is faster and provides a tracking number.

ICAI has regional offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kanpur, and other cities. For matters handled at regional level, you may also contact the regional office's PIO — but the Headquarters CPIO is the standard point of contact for most exam and membership queries.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For

1. CA Exam Marks and Answer Sheets

Subject-wise marks in each paper of the CA Foundation / Intermediate / Final examination for a specific session (Month/Year) and Roll Number
A certified copy of the evaluated answer booklet(s) for a named paper, Roll Number, and session
Any additional supplementary booklets attached to the main answer booklet
Whether any moderation, grace marks, or adjustment was applied to your marks in the examination, and the basis for such adjustment
The marks before and after any re-checking or moderation process, if applicable

2. Membership and Certificate of Practice Status

Whether a named person, by name and/or membership number, is a member of ICAI
The membership category — Associate (ACA) or Fellow (FCA)
The current status of the membership — active, suspended, or removed from the register
Whether the member holds an active Certificate of Practice (CoP) under the CA Act, 1949, or whether the CoP has been suspended or cancelled, and the date of any such action
The date on which membership was first granted

3. Firm Registration Details

The registration status of a CA firm by Firm Registration Number (FRN) or firm name — active, de-registered, or suspended
The names and membership numbers of all partners/proprietors on record for the firm
The registered office address on ICAI's records
The date of original registration of the firm

4. Disciplinary Proceedings (Concluded Cases)

Whether a complaint has been registered with ICAI against a named CA member (Membership Number and name) — the complaint number and date of receipt
The current stage of proceedings — Director (Discipline), Board of Discipline, or Disciplinary Committee
A copy of the final order passed by the Board of Discipline or Disciplinary Committee in a concluded matter, including the nature of any action taken (warning, removal from membership, etc.)
Whether any appeal has been filed against the Disciplinary Committee's order before the High Court

5. ICAI Regulations, Guidelines, and Annual Data

The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988 (as amended) — applicable provisions governing practice, ethics, and conduct
ICAI circulars or guidelines applicable to statutory audit, tax audit, or concurrent audit
ICAI's annual report for a specific year — including total number of members, number of firms registered, and disciplinary statistics
The fee structure for ICAI examinations and the rules governing exemptions from papers

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1) of the RTI Act)

If ICAI's CPIO does not respond within 30 days of receipt of your application, or if the response is incomplete, incorrect, or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at ICAI within 30 days of the date of the decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

Address the First Appeal to:

First Appellate Authority, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, ICAI Bhawan, Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi – 110002

State the RTI registration number, the date of filing, and the specific ground for appeal (no response / partial response / unsatisfactory response / wrongful rejection citing an exemption).

Second Appeal (Section 19(3) of the RTI Act)

If the FAA at ICAI does not respond adequately within 30 days, or if you are dissatisfied with the FAA's order, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act within 90 days of the FAA's order or the date on which the FAA should have decided.

ICAI is a Central Government body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs — the second appeal goes to the CIC, not a State Information Commission. The CIC has powers under Section 20 of the RTI Act to impose a penalty of up to ₹25,000 on the CPIO for unjustified delay or denial, and to recommend disciplinary action in cases of persistent non-compliance.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI),
ICAI Bhawan, Post Box No. 7112,
Indraprastha Marg, New Delhi – 110002

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — CA Examination Marks / Answer Sheet / Member/Firm Details / Disciplinary Proceedings

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information:

Examination details (if seeking exam-related information):
  Examination: CA [Foundation / Intermediate / Final]
  Examination Session: [May/November] [Year, e.g., 2025]
  Roll Number: [Your ICAI Examination Roll Number]
  Registration Number: [Your ICAI Student Registration Number]
  Subject(s) for which information is sought: [e.g., Paper 1 — Accounting, Paper 3 — Taxation]

Member/Firm details (if seeking membership or firm information):
  Member's Name: [Full name of the CA member]
  Membership Number: [e.g., 123456]
  Firm Name (if applicable): [Name of the CA firm]
  Firm Registration Number (if applicable): [e.g., 012345N]

Information sought:

1. The subject-wise marks awarded to me in each paper of the CA [Foundation / Intermediate / Final] examination, [Session] [Year], bearing Roll Number [XXX] and Registration Number [XXX] — specifically the marks awarded in each paper/subject and, where applicable, the group-wise aggregate.

2. A certified copy of my evaluated answer sheet(s) for the following paper(s) in the said examination: [Paper No. and Name], Roll Number [XXX], Examination Session [Month/Year]. Please include all booklets (main and supplementary, if any) used by me in the said paper.

3. Whether the above-mentioned CA examination result was subjected to any verification, re-checking, or moderation process at any stage. If yes: (a) the marks as originally awarded by the first examiner; (b) the marks after re-checking or moderation; and (c) the basis and the circular/policy under which any adjustment was made.

4. (a) Whether [Member's Name], bearing Membership Number [XXX], is a member of ICAI; (b) the current status of their membership — associate/fellow, active, suspended, or removed; (c) whether the member holds a Certificate of Practice (CoP) — and if so, whether the CoP is currently active, suspended, or cancelled.

5. The registration details of the CA firm bearing Firm Registration Number [XXX] or trading under the name [Firm Name] — specifically: (a) the names and membership numbers of all partners/proprietors on record; (b) the registered office address of the firm; (c) the current registration status of the firm — active, de-registered, or suspended.

6. Whether any complaint or disciplinary proceeding has been initiated or concluded against [Member's Name], Membership Number [XXX], before the Disciplinary Committee / Board of Discipline of ICAI — specifically: (a) the complaint number and date of receipt, if a complaint has been registered; (b) the current stage of proceedings — whether the matter is before the Director (Discipline), the Board of Discipline, or the Disciplinary Committee; (c) a copy of any final order passed in concluded proceedings, including the nature of the action taken, if any.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

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