ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026 notification is out for 129 posts across five regions. Check eligibility, age limit, salary, CBT pattern, fee and last date to apply online (19 July 2026).
ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 129 Posts
If you’ve got a few years of work experience under your belt and have been waiting for a shot at something outside the usual banking-or-SSC grind, this one’s worth a look. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has thrown open applications for 129 Branch In-Charge posts, and the pay packet — up to ₹7.45 lakh a year for the bigger branches — is genuinely competitive for a role that doesn’t demand a CA qualification.
ICAI released this notification on 3rd July 2026 under Advertisement No. 01/2026/HRD/BHRS/07, inviting applications from graduates for the Branch In-Charge role under its Branch Human Resource Scheme (BHRS) 2022. The online window opened the same day and stays open until 19th July 2026. Vacancies are spread across ICAI’s five Regional Councils, so wherever you’re based in India, there’s likely a branch within reach.
ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| Advertisement No. | 01/2026/HRD/BHRS/07 |
| Post Name | Branch In-Charge |
| Scheme | Branch Human Resource Scheme (BHRS) 2022 |
| Total Vacancies | 129 |
| Qualification | Graduate from a recognized University |
| Age Limit | 27 to 40 years as on 30.06.2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Fee | ₹250 (Non-refundable) |
| Selection Process | Computer Based Test (CBT) + Interview |
| Job Location | Branches under CIRC, EIRC, NIRC, SIRC and WIRC |
| Official Website | icai.org |
ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026 Important Highlights
- ICAI is hiring for 129 Branch In-Charge posts, its first major direct recruitment drive of this kind in 2026.
- The role sits under BHRS 2022, so it’s a contractual engagement rather than a permanent government post.
- Pay is consolidated and category-linked, ranging roughly from ₹4.10 lakh to ₹7.45 lakh per annum.
- You can pick only one region to apply for, but within that region you get up to three branch preferences.
- Selection rests entirely on a Computer Based Test followed by an Interview — no physical test, no lengthy multi-stage process.
- Selected candidates go through a one-year probation period that ICAI can extend if performance isn’t up to the mark.
- Applications must go through the online portal only; ICAI has been clear that postal or hand-delivered forms won’t be entertained.
ICAI Branch In-Charge Vacancy Details 2026
The 129 vacancies are split across five Regional Councils, which are further divided into six Branch Categories (I to VI) based on how large or active each branch is. Category I branches are the biggest (think Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad) and demand more experience, while Category V and VI cover smaller branches with a lower experience bar.
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| Region | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Central India Regional Council (CIRC) | 42 |
| Eastern India Regional Council (EIRC) | 7 |
| Northern India Regional Council (NIRC) | 20 |
| Southern India Regional Council (SIRC) | 29 |
| Western India Regional Council (WIRC) | 31 |
| Total | 129 |
Breaking it down further by category:
Your Trusted Source of Truth| Region | Cat I | Cat II | Cat III | Cat IV | Cat V | Cat VI | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRC | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 19 | 42 |
| EIRC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| NIRC | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 20 |
| SIRC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 29 |
| WIRC | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
| Total | 6 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 42 | 57 | 129 |
Notice how the bulk of the openings — 99 out of 129 — fall in Category V and VI. That’s good news for candidates with three years of experience rather than five, since most of the seats are actually reserved for that bracket.
ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
You need to be a Graduate from a recognized University, Deemed University, or an institution recognized by AICTE, UGC, or an equivalent statutory authority. No specific stream is mandated, though given the accounting-heavy syllabus, commerce graduates will likely find the exam more familiar territory.
Work Experience
Only post-qualification, full-time experience counts here. Articleship, internship, or any training that’s already part of your qualification doesn’t add to your tally, and neither does freelance or part-time work.
- Category I to IV branches: minimum 5 years of post-qualification experience.
- Category V and VI branches: minimum 3 years of post-qualification experience.
Age Limit
Candidates must fall between 27 and 40 years of age as on 30th June 2026. The notification doesn’t spell out category-wise age relaxation figures for SC/ST/OBC candidates in the sources reviewed, so it’s best to double-check the official PDF or ICAI’s career page directly on this point before assuming standard government relaxation applies.
Skills ICAI Is Looking For
Beyond the paper qualifications, ICAI wants candidates who can genuinely hold their own at a branch office — strong spoken and written English, comfort with MS Office, and the kind of managerial and conflict-resolution skills that come from actually having managed people or processes before.
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Salary Details
This is where the recruitment gets interesting. Pay isn’t a flat number — it scales with the branch category and the experience threshold attached to it. The package includes Basic Pay, DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, and NPS contribution, along with Leave Travel Concession and Gratuity as per service rules.
| Branch Category | Minimum Experience Required | Approximate Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | 5 years | ₹7.45 lakh |
| Category II | 5 years | ₹6.33 lakh |
| Category III | 5 years | ₹5.59 lakh |
| Category IV | 3 years | ₹4.84 lakh |
| Category V & VI | 3 years | ₹4.10 lakh |
Worth flagging: this is a consolidated, contractual pay structure under BHRS 2022, not a 7th Pay Commission scale. There’s no automatic pension track here beyond NPS, so if your priority is a lifelong government pension, this role sits in a different category altogether.
Application Fee
All applicants, regardless of category, need to pay ₹250 online, inclusive of applicable taxes and non-refundable once paid. An application only counts as complete once the fee has gone through — half-finished payments mean a rejected form, so don’t leave this for the last minute.
Selection Process
Two stages stand between you and the offer letter: a Computer Based Test and an Interview. No physical or medical test is involved, which keeps the process relatively quick compared to many government recruitments.
Computer Based Test (CBT)
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Medium | English |
| Question Type | MCQ + Descriptive |
| Total Marks | 425 |
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | 170 |
The paper is split into six modules:
| Module | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Comprehension | 25 | 100 |
| E-Mail Writing | 2 | 50 |
| Intermediate MS Excel | 20 | 80 |
| Intermediate MS Word | 18 | 72 |
| General Awareness | 12 | 48 |
| Basic Accounting | 30 | 75 |
| Total | 107 | 425 |
Interview
Once you clear the CBT, you move to the Interview stage, where a minimum of 30 marks is required to qualify. Your CBT and Interview marks are added together for the final merit list. No TA/DA is paid for attending, and document verification happens before the interview itself — so keep your paperwork in order well ahead of time.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 3rd July 2026 |
| Start of Online Application | 3rd July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19th July 2026 |
| Eligibility Cut-off (Age & Experience) | 30th June 2026 |
Required Documents
Keep these ready before you start the form:
- Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature
- Educational qualification certificates
- Experience certificates clearly stating designation, organisation, duration, and nature of work
- Category certificate, if applicable
- A valid ID proof such as Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID
Vague or part-time experience letters are a common reason applications get rejected at the verification stage, so make sure yours spell out full-time, post-qualification service in plain terms.
How to Apply for ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official ICAI website and locate the Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026 notification.
- Click on the online application link for Advertisement No. 01/2026/HRD/BHRS/07.
- Register using a valid, active email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational, and work experience details carefully.
- Choose one region and give up to three branch preferences within it.
- Upload all required documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the ₹250 application fee online.
- Review the form, submit it, and save or print a copy for your records.
Remember, only online submissions count. Anything sent by post, courier, or email will simply not be considered.
Why This Recruitment Is Worth Considering
There’s a certain appeal to working inside an institution as large and established as ICAI — over four lakh members and more than a lakh and a half students run through its ecosystem, and a Branch In-Charge sits right at the operational heart of that. For someone with a few years of administrative or accounts experience, this is a chance to move into a role with real responsibility without needing a CA qualification yourself.
That said, go in with clear eyes. This is a contractual position, not a permanent government job, and the pay structure reflects that — no automatic pension, no 7th CPC revisions, just consolidated pay tied to your branch category. It suits someone who wants meaningful work experience and decent pay right now, more than someone chasing long-term government job security. The application process itself is refreshingly light too — a single CBT and an interview, none of the marathon multi-stage selection you’d see in SSC or banking exams, so if you meet the experience bar, the barrier to entry here is genuinely manageable.
ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026 (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are there in ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026? A total of 129 vacancies have been announced across CIRC, EIRC, NIRC, SIRC, and WIRC.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026? The online application window closes on 19th July 2026.
Q3. What educational qualification is required? Candidates must be a Graduate from a recognized University, Deemed University, or an AICTE/UGC-recognized institution.
Q4. What is the age limit for this recruitment? Candidates must be between 27 and 40 years of age as on 30th June 2026.
Q5. What is the application fee? ₹250, non-refundable, payable online.
Q6. What is the salary for a Branch In-Charge post? It ranges from approximately ₹4.10 lakh to ₹7.45 lakh per annum, depending on the branch category.
Q7. What is the selection process? A Computer Based Test of 425 marks (minimum qualifying 170), followed by an Interview (minimum qualifying 30 marks).
Q8. Is this a permanent government job? No. It’s a contractual role under the Branch Human Resource Scheme 2022, with a one-year probation period that can be extended.
Q9. Can I apply for branches in more than one region? No. You can apply for only one region, though you can list up to three branch preferences within it.
Q10. How much work experience do I need? Three years for Category V and VI branches, and five years for Category I to IV branches — all post-qualification and full-time.
ICAI Branch In-Charge Recruitment 2026 Final Words
If you’ve been sitting on a few years of solid work experience and wondering where to put it to use, this ICAI recruitment is a fairly rare direct-entry opportunity into one of India’s most respected professional bodies. The process isn’t long-drawn, the pay is decent for a non-CA role, and the application window is open right now. Just don’t sit on it — read the official notification thoroughly, get your experience certificates in order, and get that form in well before 19th July 2026.
Useful Important Links
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |



