ICAI FAFD assessment test on January 24, 2026; register by January 17

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced that the Online Assessment Test (AT) for its Certificate Course on Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection (FAFD) will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The test, which is mandatory for admission to the specialized course, will be conducted online through the ICAI Digital Learning Hub from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

Registration for the assessment test commenced on January 6, 2026, and will close on January 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM. No extensions will be granted for registration or face authentication, which is a mandatory step for all candidates.

FAFD Course and Assessment Overview

The Certificate Course on Forensic Accounting and Fraud Detection (FAFD) is offered by the ICAI’s Digital Accounting & Assurance Board (DAAB). This specialization course was introduced by the ICAI council to address the increasing incidence of fraud within the finance sector, including cyber-crimes. It aims to equip professionals with skills in accounting, auditing, data mining tools, and investigative techniques necessary for detecting fraud and errors.

The FAFD program spans seven days and covers modules such as Business Fraud, types of red flags, fraud situations, case studies, data analytics using MS Excel and CAAT Tools (IDEA), Digital Forensics and Cyber law, and Forensic Accounting and Investigation Standards (FAIS). Successfully qualifying the assessment test awards candidates five CPE hours.

Registration Process and Key Dates

Candidates are required to complete both registration and face authentication by the deadline of January 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Face authentication involves liveliness detection, including eye blink verification, and its approval may take 24–48 hours. A mock test has been scheduled for January 21, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, which all candidates are advised to attend to familiarize themselves with the online platform.

First-time candidates are not required to pay any fee for the assessment test. However, re-appearing candidates must pay a non-refundable re-attempt fee of ₹500 plus 18% GST, totaling ₹590. Members who have already cleared the FAFD AT are not required to appear again.

Eligibility and Technical Requirements

To be eligible for the FAFD assessment test, candidates must possess an active ICAI Membership Number. In addition, they must have completed their Professional Training on or before December 31, 2025, with a minimum of 90% attendance and an aggregate of at least 50% marks in the training. The ICAI has specified strict technical requirements for the online test to ensure a fair examination environment.

Candidates are required to use a desktop or laptop with stable internet connectivity and a working camera. Mobile phones or tablets are strictly prohibited for accessing the exam, and their use will be considered an instance of unfair means. Login after 10:59 AM on the exam day will not be permitted. Any use of unfair means or disorderly conduct during the examination is strictly prohibited and will be referred to the Digital Accounting and Assurance Board (DAAB).

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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