The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has extended the last date for online submission of the Multipurpose Empanelment Form (MEF) for the year 2026-27 from August 29, 2026 to September 9, 2026, providing additional time to members to complete the empanelment process.
The extension has been announced to give adequate time to eligible members and firms to submit their MEF for 2026-27. Accordingly, applicants who have not yet completed the online submission can now file the form up to September 9, 2026.
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No Further Extension After September 9
Importantly, the announcement makes it clear that the revised deadline is final. ICAI has stated that no further extension will be given for filing MEF 2026-27.
The restriction on any further extension is linked to the subsequent process of preparing and submitting the Bank Branch Auditors’ Panel to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Professional Development Committee (PDC) is required to submit the panel to RBI within the stipulated timeframe, making timely completion of the MEF exercise necessary.
The announcement states:
“It may kindly be noted that no further extension will be given for filing MEF 2026-27, as PDC has to submit Bank Branch Auditors’ Panel to RBI within stipulated time.”
Members and firms intending to participate in the empanelment process should therefore ensure that their applications are completed and submitted within the revised deadline rather than expecting another extension.
Members Advised to Read MEF Advisory Before Filing
Applicants have also been advised to carefully go through the prescribed MEF Advisory before filling the Multipurpose Empanelment Form for 2026-27.
The advisory is intended to assist applicants in understanding the requirements and procedure applicable to the MEF exercise and should be reviewed before completing the online application.
The MEF Advisory is available on the official MEF portal at meficai.org.
Complaint Portal Available for MEF Queries
For clarification, queries or complaints relating to MEF 2026-27, applicants have been asked to approach the Professional Development Committee through the dedicated “MEF Complaints Portal” available on the MEF website.
Members facing difficulties with their applications can therefore raise their issues through the designated mechanism rather than leaving them unresolved until the closing date.
Revised MEF 2026-27 Deadline at a Glance
The original last date for submitting MEF 2026-27 was August 29, 2026. Following the latest announcement, the revised and final last date is September 9, 2026.
ICAI has specifically cautioned that there will be no further extension beyond September 9, 2026, considering the timeline for submission of the Bank Branch Auditors’ Panel to RBI.
The extension gives applicants an additional window to complete the MEF process, but members intending to apply should submit their forms well before the revised deadline to avoid last-minute difficulties.
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