A tweet by Chartered Accountant Akhil Pachori has caused a stir among the CA community, with many members believing that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is introducing a new exam requirement for its members. However, the announcement is just an elaborate April Fool’s prank.
On 1st April 2025, CA Akhil Pachori tweeted that due to rising concerns of corporate frauds and the intervention of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), ICAI had announced that all members wishing to continue their membership would now be required to appear for an exam every three years, starting from 1st April 2025. The exam, according to the tweet, would consist of three 100-mark papers, with a minimum qualifying score of 150 in aggregate and no less than 40 marks in each individual paper. Failure to pass the exam would result in the invalidation of membership.
As the tweet went viral, many CAs, students, and professionals began expressing confusion, concern, and frustration over the supposed new requirement. The tweet further mentioned that ICAI would release a detailed notification on 31st April 2024 — an odd date, considering April only has 30 days.
However, after a wave of panic, CA Pachori clarified that the tweet was, in fact, an April Fool’s joke. ICAI later tweeted confirming that the information was entirely fictitious and that no such exam requirements had been introduced.
“ICAI wishes all members and students a Happy April Fools’ Day,” the tweet read, easing the nerves of many who had been distressed by the news.
