CA Final · January 2026 · Paper 6
CA Final Integrated Business Solutions (Multidisciplinary Case Study with Strategic Management) January 2026: paper analysis
Our own analysis of the official paper, as of 12 October 2026. The questions and answers belong to ICAI; read them on ICAI's website.
Chapter-wise marks
Where the marks were in this paper (out of 100; internal-choice alternatives not double counted).
| Chapter | Questions | Marks | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Financial Management | 7 | 22 | 18% |
| Strategic Cost & Performance Management | 5 | 21 | 17% |
| Indirect Tax Laws | 6 | 20 | 16% |
| Financial Reporting | 6 | 17 | 14% |
| Corporate and Economic Laws | 7 | 16 | 13% |
| Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation | 4 | 15 | 12% |
| Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics | 5 | 13 | 10% |
What each question tested
In our words, by question number. Open the official paper for the full question.
| Q | Marks | Tests | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 6 | Whether a GST show cause notice can be issued after voluntary payment, adequacy of penalty paid and remedies available | Indirect Tax Laws |
| 1.7 | 4 | Auditor certificate the tribunal requires when a merger or arrangement scheme is filed | Corporate and Economic Laws |
| 1.8 | 5 | Share valuation using the dividend growth model and Walter model | Advanced Financial Management |
| 2.6 | 6 | Report analysing costs of quality and recommending measures to reduce quality failures | Strategic Cost & Performance Management |
| 2.7 | 4 | Group share-based payment where a parent grants options to a subsidiary employees in exchange for surrendered options | Financial Reporting |
| 2.8 | 4 | Additional review procedures and reporting for doubtful inventory valuation in a quarterly limited review | Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics |
| 3.6 | 5 | Measuring performance of a not-for-profit using the Value for Money framework | Strategic Cost & Performance Management |
| 3.7 | 6 | Total income and tax liability of a charitable trust | Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation |
| 3.8 | 4 | Risks faced when importing specialised medical equipment from abroad | Advanced Financial Management |
| 4.6 | 6 | Impact of in-house sourcing of a key input on the primary activities of the value chain | Strategic Cost & Performance Management |
| 4.7 | 6 | Transaction value and GST on a related-party machinery supply, and the correct valuation approach | Indirect Tax Laws |
| 4.8 | 3 | Auditor confidentiality duties when lenders ask for audit working papers | Advanced Auditing, Assurance and Professional Ethics |
| 5.6 | 5 | When accounting policy information is material and whether a specific policy must be disclosed | Financial Reporting |
| 5.7 | 5 | Parameters for identifying currency risk affecting a company | Advanced Financial Management |
| 5.8 | 5 | Treatment of foreign exchange differences on asset loans under ICDS and section 43A, with resulting cost and depreciation | Direct Tax Laws & International Taxation |
What stood out
- The paper again had five case studies with any four to be answered, each split into five 2-mark MCQs and 15 marks of descriptive questions.
- Corporate and economic laws led the MCQs with 6 of 25, drawing on FCRA, FEMA overseas investment and SEBI listing rules as well as the Companies Act.
- Financial reporting, AFM and indirect tax each had 4 MCQs, giving a more even spread than the May 2026 paper.
- Strategic management themes (value chain, Value for Money, cost of quality, sustainability) are mapped to Strategic Cost & Performance Management and were the largest descriptive block at about 17 marks.
- A charitable trust case combined income-tax exemption, FCRA and investment rules, showing that niche entity types can anchor a full case.
Practise the chapters that carried the marks
Advanced Financial Management, Strategic Cost & Performance Management, Indirect Tax Laws: study guides and practice questions in the CA Final format.