Actuarial Core Principles (IAI) · what changed for your attempt
Actuarial Core Principles (IAI) November 2026, May 2027 and November 2027: applicable amendments and notifications
Checked against IAI's official announcements, as of 12 October 2026. Each item links the official notice; read it before you rely on it.
The Institute of Actuaries of India posts exam-format and mode changes as dated announcements on its exam announcements page, and curriculum changes through its education policy, which names the exam diet each change starts from.
At a glance
| Update | Type | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| All actuarial exams move to test centres from November 2026 | Exam format | November 2026, May 2027, November 2027 |
| New Core Principles subject CS3 Data Science from May 2027 | Syllabus | May 2027, November 2027 |
| CB3 and CP3 merge into CP3 Strategic Management and Communication from November 2027 | Syllabus | November 2027 |
| Core Principles papers mix MCQs with descriptive questions | Exam format | November 2026, May 2027, November 2027 |
Exam format · notice of 9 Jul 2026
All actuarial exams move to test centres from November 2026
From the November 2026 session, IAI holds every actuarial exam in a centre-based online format on computers at IAI-designated exam centres. Taking the exam from home or any other remote location is no longer allowed. You pick your preferred centre while registering, and IAI said it would publish centre, reporting-time and permitted-item details separately.
What to do: Choose your centre carefully at registration and practise answering on a standard computer, since you will not be using your own machine.
Effective: Commencing with the November 2026 Actuarial Examinations · Attempts: November 2026, May 2027, November 2027
Scope: the whole exam, not one chapter.
Official source: IAI - Announcement: Transition to the Centre-Based Online Examination format from November 2026 (9 July 2026)
Syllabus · notice of 20 May 2026
New Core Principles subject CS3 Data Science from May 2027
Under Education Policy 2026, IAI adds CS3 - Data Science: Tools, Techniques and Applications to the Core Principles from the May 2027 exam diet. Students entering from that diet follow the revised structure including CS3. Existing students who complete Associateship under the old structure by 31 July 2028 do not need CS3; those who do not finish by then must pass it.
What to do: If you are already in the system, plan to finish your Associateship subjects by 31 July 2028 to avoid needing CS3; new entrants should budget for CS3.
Effective: From the May 2027 examination diet · Attempts: May 2027, November 2027
Scope: the whole exam, not one chapter.
Official source: IAI - Education Policy 2026 · IAI - Education Policy 2026 (full policy, PDF)
Syllabus · notice of 20 May 2026
CB3 and CP3 merge into CP3 Strategic Management and Communication from November 2027
IAI will merge CB3 Business Management and CP3 Communications Practice into one subject, CP3 - Strategic Management and Communication, from the November 2027 exam diet. It is a single written paper of 3 hours 15 minutes. CB3 and CP3 stay separate subjects for May 2027. Students with a pass in only one of them get three extra diets to pass the other, and passes up to 31 December 2028 count for the transition.
What to do: If you have not yet passed CB3, consider clearing it by May 2027; if you hold only one of CB3 or CP3, aim to pass the other within the transition window.
Effective: From the November 2027 examination diet · Attempts: November 2027
Chapters affected: Skills and knowledge for working as an actuary in financial services (Business Management); Activities of the Institute of Actuaries of India (Business Management); Issues and challenges in each main practice area (Business Management); Strategy, competitive advantage, strategic decision process and PEST analysis (Business Management); Business and consumer needs, the industry value chain and competitive forces (Business Management); Communicating strategy; culture and structure in decision making; strategy case studies (Business Management); Mission, business strategy, teamwork and time management (Business Management); Using data, company functions, people skills, influence and clear communication (Business Management); Decision-making process, attitude to risk and competition (Business Management); Sources of Indian law and valid contracts (Business Management); Implied terms, exclusion of liability, contractual remedies and damages (Business Management); Professional negligence (Business Management); Trusts and agency (Business Management); Separate legal personality, directors' duties, shareholders and partnerships (Business Management); Characteristics of a profession and the Actuaries' Code (Business Management); Actuaries Act, 2006 and IAI governance (Business Management); Professionalism and ethics case studies (Business Management)
Official source: IAI - Education Policy 2026 · IAI - Education Policy 2026 (full policy, PDF)
Exam format · notice of 9 Sept 2025
Core Principles papers mix MCQs with descriptive questions
Since the November 2025 session, the CB1, CB2 and CB3 papers and Paper A of CS1, CS2, CM1 and CM2 contain both multiple-choice and descriptive questions. The MCQ section is worth between 20% and 30% of total marks, with the rest from written answers. The CS and CM Paper B exams are not part of this change.
What to do: Prepare for short objective questions as well as full written answers in these papers, and practise both under time.
Effective: Beginning November 2025 examinations · Attempts: November 2026, May 2027, November 2027
Scope: the whole exam, not one chapter.
Official source: IAI - Announcement on Core Principle Subjects (9 September 2025)
Chapters to revise with these changes in mind
- Skills and knowledge for working as an actuary in financial servicesBusiness Management
- Activities of the Institute of Actuaries of IndiaBusiness Management
- Issues and challenges in each main practice areaBusiness Management
- Strategy, competitive advantage, strategic decision process and PEST analysisBusiness Management
- Business and consumer needs, the industry value chain and competitive forcesBusiness Management
- Communicating strategy; culture and structure in decision making; strategy case studiesBusiness Management
- Mission, business strategy, teamwork and time managementBusiness Management
- Using data, company functions, people skills, influence and clear communicationBusiness Management
- Decision-making process, attitude to risk and competitionBusiness Management
- Sources of Indian law and valid contractsBusiness Management
- Implied terms, exclusion of liability, contractual remedies and damagesBusiness Management
- Professional negligenceBusiness Management
- Trusts and agencyBusiness Management
- Separate legal personality, directors' duties, shareholders and partnershipsBusiness Management
- Characteristics of a profession and the Actuaries' CodeBusiness Management
- Actuaries Act, 2006 and IAI governanceBusiness Management
- Professionalism and ethics case studiesBusiness Management
This page lists only items we could verify on IAI's or the regulator's own website, summarised in our words. If IAI publishes a newer applicability notice, it overrides this page. Check for new notices: IAI - Exam announcements.