CA students face knee-deep water at ICAI exam venue in Howrah on September 2, 2026

On September 2, 2026, students appearing for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) examination at Vikram Vidyalaya, Salkia, Howrah, faced considerable difficulties due to severe waterlogging. Many candidates had to wade through knee-deep water, described as mixed with drain and gutter water, to access the examination hall.

This situation led to numerous students arriving at the venue up to 30 minutes late, highlighting the challenges posed by the chosen examination center. The school compound and ground-floor classrooms were reportedly submerged in water.

Challenges at Vikram Vidyalaya Examination Venue

The examination on September 2, 2026, at Vikram Vidyalaya was held on the 1st and 2nd floors of the building, as the lower levels were inundated. Adding to the difficulties, the electricity supply failed during the examination, necessitating the use of a generator to ensure the test could continue.

A parent, Smruti Chikodi, described the scene as “heartbreaking” and stated that the Vikram Vidyalaya area in Salkia is known to experience waterlogging even with minimal rainfall. This raises concerns about the suitability of the venue, especially during the rainy season.

ICAI Venue Selection Concerns

The difficulties faced by students have prompted calls for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to review its selection of examination venues. Smruti Chikodi, who witnessed the situation, has requested the ICAI to investigate the issue and avoid allotting Vikram Vidyalaya or similar centers in areas prone to waterlogging, particularly during monsoon periods.

The incident underscores the need for examination bodies to ensure accessible and suitable environments for candidates, free from such infrastructural challenges that can impact their ability to perform.

HDFC Bank’s Expanding Network and International Presence

In other developments, HDFC Bank has significantly expanded its distribution network. As of June 30, 2025, the bank reported a network of 9,499 branches and 21,251 ATMs, serving customers across 4,153 cities and towns. This marks an increase from June 30, 2024, when the bank had 8,851 branches and 21,163 ATMs across 4,081 cities and towns.

Notably, 51% of HDFC Bank’s branches are located in semi-urban and rural areas, indicating a focus on broader geographical reach within India. The bank also maintains an international presence with four branches in Hong Kong, Bahrain, Dubai, and an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) in Gujarat International Finance Tech City. Additionally, HDFC Bank operates five representative offices in Kenya, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, and Singapore. The Singapore and London offices were formerly representative offices of HDFC Limited and transitioned to the bank post-merger, providing loans-related services for housing loans and property purchases in India.

Africa Eats Focuses on Food and Agriculture Investment

Chikodi Etike will be pursuing an MBA at the University of Michigan – Stephen M. Ross School of Business. This comes as Africa Eats, a holding company listed on the Mauritian stock exchange, continues its investment strategy exclusively in food and agriculture businesses across Africa. Africa Eats focuses on African Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the food and agri space, including technology and supply chain solutions.

The company takes minority stakes in these businesses, supports them through its community, and aims to hold the companies indefinitely. Africa Eats reported a revenue of $44 million, an operating profit of $7.02 million, and a net profit of $7.01 million. Its total assets stand at $28.2 million, with a share price of USD $2.5. ‘Luni’ Libes, a representative of Africa Eats, stated, “Africa needs more food production and people can’t eat software. Also, Africa suffers from fragmented internal supply-chain issues that lead to food-waste and a need to import food from abroad. We wanted to fund companies solving these issues.”

Further reading

• ICAI Exam: complete exam guide

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.

View all posts →