The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has struck off a large number of Chartered Accountants from its Register of Members for non-payment of membership fees, triggering serious concerns within the professional community regarding the consequences of non-compliance with annual fee obligations. 

The action has been carried out through an Extraordinary Gazette Notification published in the Gazette of India on April 24, 2026, under Notification No. 285, with the removals made effective retrospectively from November 1, 2023. 

According to the notification, ICAI exercised its powers under Section 20(1)(c) of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 read with Regulation 18 of the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988, to remove the names of members who failed to pay prescribed membership fees. 

The development has raised alarm among professionals because removal from the Register directly impacts a member’s right to practice as a Chartered Accountant. Once removed, a person cannot legally practice as a CA, sign audit reports or certifications, or represent themselves as an ICAI member. Professional assignments, statutory audits, tax certifications, and regulatory compliances undertaken during the period of removal may also come under scrutiny. 

One of the most significant aspects of the notification is the retrospective effective date. Since the removals are deemed effective from November 1, 2023, concerns are being raised about work undertaken by affected members during the intervening period. Professionals who continued practicing, signing documents, or representing themselves as Chartered Accountants after the effective date may have done so without valid membership status. 

The issue is particularly sensitive because many professional and statutory functions under various laws—including the Companies Act, Income Tax Act, GST laws, banking regulations, and SEBI compliances—require certification or audit by a validly enrolled Chartered Accountant. Any defect in membership status could potentially trigger disputes over the validity of reports, certificates, attestations, or representations made during the relevant period.

The notification also clarifies that restoration is not automatic. Affected members would be required to clear all pending dues, pay restoration fees, and obtain formal approval from ICAI before their names can be restored to the Register of Members. 

The incident serves as a major compliance reminder for Chartered Accountants across the country. ICAI has effectively demonstrated that non-payment of annual membership fees is not merely an administrative lapse but a statutory default capable of resulting in suspension of professional privileges and removal from the Register.

Professionals have also been advised to immediately verify their membership status on the ICAI portal, pay annual fees within prescribed timelines, and maintain regular compliance to avoid disruption of professional practice. 

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