Students have raised concerns over the conduct of Chartered Accountants (CA) Intermediate (IPC), Intermediate, final and post qualification course examinations scheduled to be held from July 5 to 20, 2021. Students said that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) should defer the exams till all of them get vaccinated against Covid-19 as the vaccination drive for those above 18 years of age has just resumed in Maharashtra.
On June 5, 2021, the ICAI announced that the Chartered Accountants (CA) Intermediate (IPC), Intermediate, final and post qualification course: Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) technical examination and international taxation – assessment test (INTT–AT) of May 2021 examinations would commence from July 5.
Following this announcement, students appearing for these exams said the exams should be postponed considering Covid-19 risks. Neeraj Sawant, a student preparing for the exam said, "The Covid-19 situation is just getting better in Maharashtra. Also, the free vaccination drive for 18-44 age group has just begun in this week. The exams should be conducted after we take the vaccine doses."
Loobna Poojary, another student, said, "Why are we being forced to appear for major examinations without being vaccinated? On one side, both the State and Central government are encouraging youth to take the vaccination while on the other hand, we are being compelled to appear for exams without any protection. We are ready to appear for CA exams after we receive the vaccination so that the risk to our lives and our family members is reduced."
These examinations were initially scheduled to be conducted from May 21 and May 22 but were postponed by ICAI in April due to the Covid-19 situation.
