The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced that the further implementation of the ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025 has been kept in abeyance until further orders. The announcement, issued by the Aggregation of CA Firms Committee on 15 July 2026, relates to the Guidelines notified through Notification No. 3-CACAF/GN-F/2026 dated 11 February 2026, which were published in the Gazette of India on 17 February 2026.
The announcement simply states that the further implementation of the Guidelines has been deferred until further orders and requests members to take note of the decision. No reason for the deferment or revised implementation timeline has been specified.
Background of the Guidelines
The ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025 were introduced to provide a regulatory framework for collaboration between ICAI-registered domestic entities and overseas professional networks or entities. The stated objectives include:
- Creating an enabling framework for global networking by Indian CA firms.
- Strengthening professional opportunities for ICAI-registered domestic entities in India and abroad.
- Facilitating collaboration between domestic entities and overseas networks.
- Bringing Indian operations of Global Networks within ICAI’s regulatory framework.
- Promoting adoption of global best practices, technology, tools and professional knowledge.
- Enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of the chartered accountancy profession.
Key Features of the Guidelines
The Guidelines establish a structured mechanism for formation and regulation of Global Networks, including:
- Mandatory Registration: Global networking arrangements between domestic entities and overseas entities are required to be registered with ICAI.
- Name Approval and Registration: Separate procedures are prescribed for approval of the Global Network name and its subsequent registration with ICAI.
- Nodal Officer: Every Global Network is required to appoint an eligible ICAI member as the Nodal Officer responsible for regulatory compliance.
- Post-registration Compliance: Changes in constitution, network agreements, addresses and other specified particulars are required to be reported to ICAI within prescribed timelines.
- Annual Reporting: Registered Global Networks are required to file annual returns containing prescribed information relating to the network and its operations.
- Ethical Compliance: Domestic entities forming part of a Global Network must comply with the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, the Chartered Accountants Regulations, the ICAI Code of Ethics and other applicable laws.
- Prohibited Services: The Guidelines reiterate restrictions relating to services prohibited under Section 144 of the Companies Act, 2013 and prescribe compliance requirements for domestic entities forming part of Global Networks.
- Disciplinary Consequences: Violations of the Guidelines may constitute professional misconduct under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.
Present Position
With the announcement dated 15 July 2026, ICAI has kept the further implementation of the ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025 in abeyance until further orders. The announcement does not modify the text of the Guidelines but postpones their further implementation. Members and firms proposing to act under the Global Networking framework may therefore await further directions from ICAI regarding its implementation.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Aggregation of CA Firms Committee
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
15th July, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENT
Implementation of ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025
It is hereby informed that further implementation of the ICAI (Global Networking) Guidelines, 2025, notified vide Notification No. 3-CACAF/GN-F/2026 dated 11th February, 2026 and published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, dated 17th February, 2026, is kept in abeyance until further orders.
Members may please take note of the above.
Secretary, ICAI
