The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has approved a series of code of ethics amendments aimed at providing Indian chartered accountant (CA) firms with more scope to connect internationally.
The decisions, made at the organisation’s 447th Council meeting, were detailed by ICAI president Charanjot Singh Nanda and vice-president Prasanna Kumar D.
As part of these changes, the ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025 received approval.
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These guidelines set out requirements for Indian CA firms, networks, and consultancy companies registered with ICAI to form associations with international entities and seek opportunities outside India.
The updates also enable Indian networks to cooperate with overseas counterparts in various jurisdictions.
The stated goal is to offer small and medium-sized Indian CA firms access to international knowledge, technology, and expertise, enabling them to take part in cross-border collaborations.
Further reforms include the adoption of a revised 13th Edition of the Code of Ethics, effective from 1 April 2026.
This updated code will bring changes to how firms may advertise and use websites.
The new rules permit more “flexibility” in advertising content and provide chartered accountants with further options to showcase their services.
In website guidelines, members and firms are now allowed to use push technology for any service not unique to the CA profession, such as accounting or consultancy.
This means such services can be promoted using “push mode” technology for wider reach.
In addition, network firms that are registered with ICAI may create their own websites under these rules.
ICAI has also aligned its ethical standards with the 2024 International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) Code of Ethics.
Another notable update extends regulations on responding to non-compliance with laws and regulations (NOCLAR) during audits. These requirements now apply to all listed entities and their subsidiaries, enhancing auditor responsibility in relation to legal compliance concerns.
New ethical standards for sustainability assurance have also been added to the Code of Ethics.
These standards are based on guidance issued by IESBA and cover sustainability-related independence requirements.
The list of Management Consultancy and Other Services (MCS) that CAs can provide has been widened.
Newly included areas cover social impact assessment, AI-related consulting, forensic accounting, and other recent fields.
ICAI has advised its members and their firms to accept audit fees only through digital payments or banking channels.
In November 2025, ICAI submitted its pre-budget tax recommendations to the government ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27.
The proposals focus on making business procedures less complex and encouraging environmentally sustainable practices through specific tax measures.
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