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Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ICAI CA membership after CA Final: Complete application process and fee details
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has detailed the procedure and fee structure for CA Final pass-outs to apply for membership through its Self-Service Portal (SSP). Candidates who have cleared both groups of the CA Final examination and completed the mandatory training requirements are eligible to apply for Associate Membership by submitting Form 2 online. The final application step displays the fee amount based on the options selected, including whether or not the applicant opts for a Certificate of Practice (COP). To be eligible for ICAI membership: An applicant must have passed both groups of the CA Final examination. Completed either Articleship or Industrial Training. Fulfilled training requirements such as the Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS) and the Advanced IT Test. Applicants must ensure their profile on the SSP portal reflects all necessary updates before initiating the application process. ICAI CA final 2025: Step-by-step process to apply for membership To apply for fresh membership (Form 2), follow the steps below: Step 1. Visit and access the Self Service Portal using your login credentials. Step 2. Navigate to the 'Student Cycle' section and select 'Fresh Membership Enrolment'. Step 3. Choose 'Form 2' for Associate Membership. The form will be prefilled with existing details, and changes, if any, must be made via the profile edit feature. Step 3. Review and confirm personal and communication details, then proceed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Step 4. Verify educational qualifications, CA training information, and Articleship or Industrial Training records. Step 5. Indicate preference for Certificate of Practice (COP) and whether other engagements or employment will be continued alongside. Step 6. Select optional services such as the ICAI Benevolent Fund and your preferred format for the CA Journal (e-journal or physical copy). Step 7. Upload a recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature. Step 8. Review the auto-generated fee based on your selections, generate the OTP, check the declaration box, and proceed with payment. Step 9. Upon successful submission, the form is forwarded to the ICAI Regional Office for processing, which typically takes 5–7 working days. CA final 2025: ICAI membership fee details for Form 2 applicants As per the ICAI's official FAQs updated on July 3, 2024, the fee structure for fresh membership through Form 2 is as follows: Without Certificate of Practice (COP): INR 4,130 (inclusive of GST) With Certificate of Practice (COP): INR 7,670 (inclusive of GST) E-journal discount: INR 590 reduction if the member opts for the e-journal instead of a physical copy The final payable amount is displayed during the submission process based on the applicant's selections, including journal preferences and COP status. The e-journal option offers both convenience and cost savings, and applicants residing abroad are subject to additional charges only if opting for physical journal delivery. Newly admitted members receive their membership number via SMS and email, and the membership letter can be downloaded directly from the SSP portal. ICAI does not issue separate COP numbers; the status becomes active alongside membership approval. This streamlined, fully digital enrolment process is aimed at simplifying and standardizing the transition from student to professional member within ICAI. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
The Herald Scotland
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government warned of legal action over toilets
The judgment clarified that the terms 'man' and 'woman' in the legislation refer to biological sex, not acquired gender. The ruling has significant implications for the use of single-sex spaces, including toilets and changing rooms. Read more: In response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued interim guidance stating: 'Trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women's facilities and trans men (biological women) should not be permitted to use the men's facilities.' However, the Scottish Government's Trans and Non-Binary Equality and Inclusion Policy currently states: 'Trans staff should choose to use the facilities they feel most comfortable with, including using accessible toilets if they prefer.' Asked whether the policy would be updated to reflect the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC guidance, a Scottish Government spokesperson told The Herald on Sunday work was under way but gave no timeline for changes. They said: 'The Scottish Government provides a range of facilities for staff, including male, female, accessible and gender-neutral toilets and changing rooms. 'As the EHRC is the enforcer and regulator of the Equality Act, we expect all organisations to consider its revised Codes of Practice and guidance when published to ensure there is a consistent and clear understanding of the application of the law for all involved in this complex area. 'The Scottish Government has already begun work on implementation. We have established a Short Life Working Group to ensure support and consistency across Government. This work will position us to be ready to take all necessary steps when the EHRC's Code of Practice and updated guidance are published.' The EHRC's full Code of Practice is due to be submitted to the UK Government for approval by the end of June. John SwinneyHowever, the regulator told The Herald the updated statutory code for service providers, public bodies and associations would simply be a 'tool'. It added: 'But as we have said publicly since 16 April, the law – as set out in the Supreme Court's judgment – is effective immediately. 'Those with duties under the Equality Act 2010 should be following the law and looking at what changes, if any, need to be made to their policies and practices. Where necessary, duty-bearers should take appropriate specialist legal advice.' Critics accused the Government of dragging its feet—leaving it open to legal challenge. Lisa Mackenzie, of the policy group Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, said: 'The Scottish Government should act now to ensure they have in place policies which comply with the law. 'As it stands, a failure to provide adequate single-sex services or facilities as defined in the Equality Act 2010 puts the Government at risk of claims of sex discrimination. The longer the Government waits, the greater the risk.' Scottish Conservative equalities spokesperson Tess White said: 'The Supreme Court ruling was crystal clear, but the SNP Government keeps kicking the can down the road when it comes to single-sex spaces and services. 'The Scottish Parliament moved swiftly to provide clarity and uphold women's sex-based rights, so what is taking John Swinney so long? 'He needs to stop pandering to gender zealots inside and outside the SNP and direct all public bodies to follow the Parliament's lead and comply with their legal obligations to women.' Read more: Holyrood confirmed last week that its male-only and female-only facilities would now be designated on the basis of biological sex, in line with the Supreme Court ruling. At the same time, the Parliament will increase the number of gender-neutral facilities by redesignating several existing toilets and changing areas. Speaking at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie described this as 'segregation' and said the current political climate was causing fear and distrust among LGBTQ people and trans staff. He told John Swinney: 'This is something that never even happened during the worst days of political homophobia in the 1980s and 1990s. It is a direct result of political attacks on the rights of LGBTQ people, especially transphobia. 'Does the First Minister acknowledge that the political landscape as a whole has betrayed the trust of our community? Does he understand that there are Scottish Government employees currently living in fear that their workplaces will be subject to segregation policies, as has already happened in Parliament? And what does the First Minister intend to do to begin restoring the trust that has been lost?' Supreme Court ruled last week that sex in law means biological sexThe First Minister responded: 'I recognise and sympathise with the point that Mr Harvie has made, because—as I have said consistently since the Supreme Court judgment—I am concerned by how individuals, particularly those in the trans community, will be feeling as a consequence of the climate that we are in. 'I am very struck by the fact that the climate of discourse on this issue is absolutely unacceptable. So let me make it clear from this podium that my Government, as I made clear in the Programme for Government announcements, is absolutely resolute in our support for the LGBTQI community. 'We will take actions aimed at protecting the rights of all—because the rights of all must be protected in our society. That is the solemn commitment that I give to the community, and that I give to Parliament today.' Meanwhile, a legal challenge against the EHRC has been initiated by campaign group Good Law Project and three individuals, including two trans people and one intersex person. They have issued a pre-action letter claiming the interim guidance on workplace toilets following the Supreme Court ruling 'authorises and approves unlawful discrimination' and is 'wrong in law'. The challenge argues the guidance misinterprets how the Equality Act applies to toilet access and breaches human rights obligations.
Fashion United
06-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Retailers should regularly review cyber controls as threat of attack increases
In view of recent cyber attacks on British department store Harrods, apparel retailer Marks & Spencer and others, audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK is advising retailers to regularly review their cyber risk controls to ensure 'they are as robust as possible'. 'Retailers are already navigating a difficult trading environment shaped by fragile consumer confidence, increases in employment costs and shifting spending habits. The recent wave of cyber-attacks adds another critical layer of risk, one that can significantly damage consumer trust, disrupt operations, and harm brand reputation overnight. In a sector where customer loyalty is hard-won and competition is high, ensuring data security and operational continuity is paramount,' cautions Jacqui Baker, partner and head of retail at RSM UK. She also points out the speed and sophistication with which cyber risk moves, particularly due to advancements in technology. 'Quite often, it is a case of when, not if, one takes place, so it needs to be high up on retailers' risk register,' Baker advises. Agility is another key to retailers' responses because what might solve an issue today might not work tomorrow. 'Retailers must now view cyber resilience not only as a technical requirement but as a core component of customer experience and brand protection,' she states. Priority and agility are key when fighting cyber crime 'These recent attacks on retailers serve as a warning to all businesses to continuously assess and tighten up their cyber security measures. Organisations are accountable for effective governance, cyber controls, resilience and importantly, robust plans to respond effectively to cyber incidents,' adds Sheila Pancholi, technology risk partner at RSM UK. "The first line of defence against cyber attacks is often employees, so it is important to also ensure staff are regularly trained and educated on cyber risks and how to spot attempts to access systems via increasingly sophisticated phishing emails (e.g. ClickFix Phish) or links to bogus websites,' adds Pancholi. According to the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), half (50 percent) of businesses and two thirds (66 percent) of high-income charities have experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last twelve months. The prevalence of attacks is even higher amongst medium-sized and large businesses (70 and 74 percent, respectively). Thus, the organisation launched its Cyber Governance Code of Practice earlier this month. It provides organisations with clear guidance and best practices on managing cyber risk. 'We welcome the government's recent Code of Practice which supports businesses in governing their cyber risks to enhance operational resilience,' says Pancholi. The expert points out that the threat landscape will only increase given increasing geo-political tensions and highly sophisticated cyber criminals operating on an industrial scale and with broader targets across industries. 'This raises a question of whether the current voluntary code goes far enough?,' asks Pancholi.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Most fertility patients offered treatments that ‘don't work'
Most fertility patients are being offered treatments that are not proven to increase the chance of success, a report has said. Almost three quarters of fertility patients are being offered unnecessary add-on treatments, nearly all of which 'are not proven to increase the chance of having a baby', the fertility regulator has said. The report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) into the experiences of 1,500 patients in the UK also found that 51 per cent of those seeking donor sperm received it from overseas. Most patients cited increased choice and more information about the donor as the reasons why they chose foreign sperm. The HFEA said that in the UK a donor's sperm can only be used to create up to 10 families, but the 10-family limit does not apply abroad. The report also highlighted long waits for some patients – particularly those seeking NHS care. Around a quarter of patients had used donor eggs, sperm or embryos in treatment. Of the 73 per cent who were offered 'add-on treatments', only 52 per cent had the effectiveness explained to them, while 37 per cent were told about the risks. The report found add-on treatments such as the use of endometrial scratching – when the lining of the womb is scratched before an embryo is implanted – had decreased last year, but was still being offered. It also found the use of a so-called 'emerging technology' known as pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy – the checking of embryos for abnormalities in the number of chromosomes – increased to 13 per cent in 2024, even though the HFEA said there is 'insufficient evidence' of its effectiveness at improving the chance of pregnancy. Julia Chain, chairman of the HFEA, said: 'It's disappointing to see a significant number of patients are still using add-ons and emerging technologies, and particularly disappointing that only half of patients had the effectiveness explained to them, let alone the risks. 'We regularly remind clinics that, according to our Code of Practice, they must give patients a clear idea of what any treatment add-on involves, how likely it is to increase their chance of a successful pregnancy, cost, risks, and link to our public ratings system. 'We will continue to remind clinics about improving clarity and communication for patients.' The report also found that most patients began treatment seven months to a year after first seeing their GP about their fertility problems. But 16 per cent of patients waited over two years. NHS-funded patients reported longer wait times in starting treatment compared to those who paid privately. Some 53 per cent of private patients started treatment within a year compared to 35 per cent of NHS patients. The regulator said that its data shows that the number of NHS-funded treatment cycles is falling, and stood at just 27 per cent in 2022. Ms Chain said the regulator was also 'concerned that NHS-funded patients are waiting longer than self-funded patients to start fertility treatment'. 'The delays faced by NHS patients highlight ongoing issues relating to the provision of specialist care for women,' she said. 'As part of our response to the Government's 10-year plan, we want to see a much shorter time for patients to begin fertility treatment once they have received advice or a referral from their GP.' A Department of Health spokesman said: 'It is unacceptable fertility patients are being offered unnecessary treatments that will not help them in their goal of becoming parents. 'We are working to improve access to NHS fertility services for all who need it. 'We are also currently considering advice from the HFEA about priorities for law reform covering their regulatory powers, including their potential role in digital clinics.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
