Chartered accountancy firms and LLPs have until today to submit their Multipurpose Empanelment Form for the 2026-27 cycle, with no extensions granted, impacting eligibility for public sector bank audit panels.
Chartered accountancy firms and limited liability partnerships have until today, September 9, 2026, to submit the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s Multipurpose Empanelment Form for the 2026-27 cycle, with ICAI saying there will be no further extension. The filing determines whether firms are considered for the statutory bank branch auditors’ panel, a process that matters particularly for those seeking public sector bank audit work.
According to ICAI’s advisory and related notices on the MEF portal, the exercise is not limited to a simple online upload. Applicants are expected to complete the form in full, verify partner and firm details against institute records, and ensure all declarations are accurate before final submission. Drafts, partial saves and offline confirmations do not count, and only completed filings are taken forward for panel generation.
The institute’s guidance says eligible applicants include partnership and LLP firms, as well as proprietary firms and practising members who meet the stated conditions. ICAI has also stressed the importance of matching firm names, partner membership numbers, constitution dates and peer review status with documentary proof. It has advised members to keep bank audit experience records, branch details, authority letters and any name-change or merger papers ready before filing, because mismatches can trigger portal errors or later scrutiny.
The MEF advisory further notes that the form contains editable and non-editable fields, with applicants urged to review the portal instructions carefully before submission. ICAI says the MEF information is shared with bodies including the Reserve Bank of India, NABARD and other authorities for professional empanelment purposes. It also says the Professional Development Committee must pass the Bank Branch Auditors’ Panel to the RBI within the required timeline, which is why the deadline has been fixed firmly at September 9.
After submission, applicants are expected to download and retain the acknowledgement and keep an eye on the draft panel once it is released. ICAI has said errors or disputes can be raised through the MEF complaints portal, while firms that spot discrepancies in the draft list will be able to file representations within the specified window. For those still filing today, the message from the institute is simple: check every detail, submit once and keep proof.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
