Not happy with your CA, CS, or CMA result? Before assuming your marks are final, check whether applying for inspection or certified copies of your evaluated answer book is the right step. This 2026 guide covers everything you need to know.

What’s the difference between verification, inspection, and certified copies?

Students often use these terms interchangeably, but each one has a distinct scope, and none of them include re-evaluation of your answers on merit. No institute – ICAI, ICSI, or ICMAI – allows a fresh examiner to re-check the quality of your answers or award additional marks for content.

• Verification of marks: A clerical check. The institute confirms that every question and sub-question was evaluated, that marks were totalled correctly, and that marks were correctly transferred to the mark sheet. No answer sheet is shown to you.
• Inspection of Answer Books: You get to physically view (or view a scanned copy of) your evaluated answer book, usually at a designated centre or online, without taking a copy home.
• Certified copies of Answer Book: You receive an actual certified photocopy or scanned copy of your evaluated answer book delivered to you, which you can study at length to understand where marks were lost.

CA (ICAI): Process, Fees & Timeline for 2026

ICAI has significantly cut its fees starting from the June 2026 exam cycle, making this service far more accessible for CA Foundation, Intermediate, Final, and PQC candidates.

How to apply on the ICAI portal?

• Log in to the ICAI e-services portal at eservices.icai.org (or icaiexam.icai.org).
• Click "Apply Now" against the activity "Certified Copies/Inspection" on your dashboard.
• A data entry screen displays your name, registration number, and medium of examination.
• Select the papers you want verified or copied, upload the required scanned image, and pay the fee online.
• Review the confirmation page carefully and click "Confirm" — once confirmed, corrections are not possible, so double-check every field before submitting.
• Track your application status anytime on the same portal.

Fees

If you find a discrepancy after receiving your certified copy, you must bring it to ICAI’s notice within one month of receipt – this is your only window to raise the issue.

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CS (ICSI): Process, Fees, & Timeline for 2026

ICSI offers all three services including Verification of marks, inspection of answer books, and certified copies – through its SMASH portal, each with its own fee and deadline.

How to apply on the ICSI Smash portal?

• Log in to the SMASH portal on the official ICSI website (icsi.edu).
• Choose the relevant service: Verification of Marks, Inspection of Answer Book(s), or Certified Copies.
• Enter your VMCR number, application type, and request type, then add your request.
• Complete the undertaking checkbox and submit payment online (or by demand draft if applying offline).
• Save your payment receipt as proof of submission.

Fees

ICSI does not allow revaluation or re-assessment of answer books under any of these services – verification of marks only checks whether all questions and sub-questions were evaluated and whether marks were correctly awarded and totalled for attempted answers, with no re-evaluation of answers permitted. 

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CMA (ICMAI): Process, Fees, & timeline for 2026

ICMAI’s post-result services are handled through the student examination portal, with separate provisions for verification and certified/photocopy requests.

How to apply for CMA verification and certified copies?

• Log in to the ICMAI student examination portal using your registration number, roll number, and course details.
• Select "Verification of Result" or "Photocopy of Answer Sheet" as applicable.
• Choose the paper(s) you want checked and pay the fee online for each.
• Submit the application before the deadline — ICMAI has repeatedly clarified that these deadlines are not extended.
• Await the result via the portal; certified photocopies are dispatched only after the verification check is complete.

Fees

Re-evaluation of answers is not permitted under ICMAI’s guidelines, and the institute only allows candidates to apply for verification of the answer sheets, not re-checking of the quality of answer.

ICMAI retains answer books only for two consecutive exam terms from the date of result declaration, so don’t delay your application if you plan to apply through the certified-copy route.

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Side by Side Comparison: ICAI vs. ICSI vs. ICMAI (2026)

It is important to note that none of the three institutes re-evaluate the quality of your answer.

Can I request a re-evaluation of my CA, CS, or CMA Papers?

No.

• ICAI does not allow re-evaluation
• ICSI does not allow re-evaluation
• ICMAI does not allow re-evaluation

Students can only apply for the options made available by their respective institute – certified copies, inspection (where applicable), or verification of marks. 

How many marks usually increase after verification?

There is no fixed number. Some students receive:

• No change
• 1-2 additional marks
• 3-5 additional marks
• Higher changes in rare cases including unevaluated answers or clerical mistakes.

Is it worth applying for certified copies?

It can be worth it if you:

• Missed passing narrowly
• Need to understand why you scored low
• Want to improve your answer-writing
• Plan to appear again in the next attempt

If your preparation is continuing, reviewing your evaluated answer sheet can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes.

I scored much lower than expected. What should I do?

Instead of assuming there was an evaluation mistake:

• Request certified copies
• Check whether every answer was evaluated
• Review presentation, structure, and answer quality
• If you notice a genuine issue covered under the institute’s verification process, apply within the prescribed timeline.

Can I apply for only one subject?

Yes, you don’t have to apply for every paper. Most students apply only for subjects where:

• They failed
• They expected much higher marks
• They missed an exemption

What happens after I receive my certified copy?

Review the answer book carefully and check:

• Was every answer evaluated?
• Are marks given to every answer?
• Is the total correct?
• Are all pages included?
• Did you lose marks due to presentation or incomplete answers?

Even if no clerical error is found, the answer book becomes a valuable learning resource for your next attempt.

Know Where You Lost Marks. Get a Detailed Expert Review of Your Certified Copies Today

FAQs

Ques: How do I get a certified copy of my CA, CS or CMA answer sheet? 

Ans: Submit an application through your institute's official examination website during the application period. 

Ques: Should I get certified copy or verification of marks? 

Ans: For answer sheet review submit an application for certified copy; and to correct any totalling mistake, clerical error apply for verification of marks.

Ques: Will my score increase after verification? 

Ans: Yes, but it is only possible when your institute find out any un-evaluated answer, summation mistake or clerical mistake.

Ques: Does ICAI allow re-evaluation of answer sheets?

Ans: No, ICAI does not allow re-evaluation of evaluated answer books.

Ques: Does ICMAI allow re-evaluation of answer books?

Ans: No, ICMAI does not provide a re-evaluation facility.

Ques: Is there a deadline to apply for certified copies?

Ans: yes, every institute announces a separate application window after the results.

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