ICAI Guidelines on Tenders 2026: Minimum Fees & Rules for CA Members

ICAI Guidelines on Tenders 2026: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) issued the Guidelines on Tenders on 12 October 2026, introducing rules for members in practice who respond to tenders for professional services. The guidelines restrict CA members from responding to certain tenders that do not specify minimum fees and prohibit reverse bidding below the prescribed minimum fee. They also require members to maintain a cost sheet for every tender bid submitted.

The ICAI Tender Guidelines 2026 aim to ensure that professional fees are reasonable and proportionate to the work involved. CA members and firms should understand the applicability, minimum fee requirements, cost sheet obligations, and restrictions before submitting a tender response.

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Overview of ICAI Tender Guidelines 2026

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has outlined key regulatory standards governing tender participation by practicing members. The details below provide the statutory references and administrative facts associated with this official notification.

Also Read: CA Result 2026 Live Updates

Key Highlights of ICAI Minimum Fee Guidelines

The ICAI Minimum Fee Guidelines establish important conditions for CA members participating in tenders. The key provisions are as follows:

• Minimum fee requirement: Members in practice cannot respond to tenders for services exclusively reserved for chartered accountants under a statute if the tender does not prescribe a minimum fee.

• Minimum fee compliance: If the tender specifies a minimum fee for such services, the member's quoted fee cannot be lower than that amount.

• Reasonable professional fees: Fees must not be extremely low and should reflect the size, value, volume, manpower requirements and nature of the work.

• Mandatory cost sheet: Members must maintain a cost sheet showing estimated costs, including the number of persons involved and the hours required.

• Reverse bidding restriction: Members cannot participate in reverse bidding that takes the fee below the prescribed minimum.

• Specified exceptions: The guidelines exclude certain services and quotations invited through individual letters, as explained in the official document.

Also Read: How to Check CA Foundation Result 2026 Online Guide

ICAI Guidelines on Tenders 2026 PDF

Members who want to understand the exact requirements should refer to the original notification issued by ICAI on 12 October 2026.

The PDF contains the formal rules regarding minimum fees, professional fee quotations, cost sheets, reverse bidding and exceptions for specific quotation processes.

ICAI Guidelines on Tenders 2026 PDF

How CA Firms Should Prepare a Tender Response

CA firms and individual members in practice can use the following checklist before submitting a tender:

1. Review the scope of work: Identify the professional services required and determine whether they are exclusively reserved for chartered accountants under a statute.

2. Check the minimum fee condition: For statutorily reserved services, verify whether the tender document prescribes a minimum fee.

3. Calculate the estimated costs: Assess the number of professionals involved, working hours and other costs associated with the assignment.

4. Prepare and maintain the cost sheet: Keep a record of the estimated costs for the tender response.

5. Quote a reasonable professional fee: Ensure that the fee is proportionate to the size, value, volume, manpower requirements and nature of the assignment.

6. Review reverse bidding conditions: Do not participate in reverse bidding that would take the quoted fee below the prescribed minimum.

7. Retain bid-related records: Maintain relevant documents because ICAI may request records relating to a submitted bid.

This checklist is a practical summary of the requirements stated in the official guidelines and is not a separate checklist prescribed by ICAI.

Key Guidelines for Practicing Members

Practicing Chartered Accountants must adhere to specific regulatory standards when evaluating tender documents and submitting professional fee quotes.

• Exclusively Reserved Services: Practicing members cannot respond to tenders for statutory services reserved exclusively for Chartered Accountants unless the tender specifies a minimum fee. Quoted fees must not fall below this minimum rate.

• Fee Reasonableness: Quoted fees must never be extremely low for any assignment. Fees must match the work volume, size, value, manpower requirement, and nature of the work.

• Cost Sheet Maintenance: Members submitting tender bids must prepare and maintain a cost sheet detailing estimated staff hours and expenses. ICAI may call for these documents for review.

• Reverse Bidding: Members are strictly barred from participating in reverse bidding below the minimum fee.

• Non-Reserved Services: Members may bid for non-reserved services regardless of whether minimum fees are prescribed or whether non-CAs are invited.

• Exceptions: These rules do not apply when organizations request quotations from individual practicing members or firms through individual letters.