Dear Esteemed Members Greetings!
Sri Krishnaya Vasudevaya, Haraye Paramatmane, Pranata Klesha Nashaya, Govindaya Namo Namah.

The month of April 2026 has been a vibrant and professionally enriching period for our Branch, marked by an excellent blend of technical learning, member engagement, professional celebrations, and social responsibility initiatives. As we step into May 2026, I take immense pleasure in sharing with you the significant activities conducted during the previous month and the exciting professional initiatives planned ahead for the benefit of our members.
To begin with, I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation to all our members for successfully completing one of the most demanding professional seasons of the year — the Bank Audit Season. The month of April witnessed Chartered Accountants across the profession dedicating themselves tirelessly towards branch audits, concurrent audits, compliance reporting, and various professional responsibilities with utmost commitment and diligence. The successful completion of this rigorous season once again reflects the professionalism, competence, and resilience of our fraternity. With the audit season now behind us, I am delighted to note that members are once again enthusiastically returning to technical learning and active participation in Branch programmes and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) activities.
In this regard, the Branch conducted a series of highly relevant and knowledge-oriented seminars during April 2026. The Full Day CPE Seminar on “Decoding Budget 2026 & Income Tax Act 2025 Practical Transition and Compliance Issues” received an encouraging response from members and provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of transition and compliance under the evolving tax regime.
Further, the Branch organised a comprehensive Full Day CPE Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights, Labour Law Reforms, and Financial Implications, where eminent speakers deliberated upon opportunities for Chartered Accountants in the area of intellectual property, as well as the implications of the Four Labour Codes on payroll, audit, and compliance practices. These sessions significantly enhanced the understanding of members in emerging professional areas.
The Full Day CPE Seminar on GST, focusing on GST implications on Joint Development Agreements (JDA) in Real Estate and recent judicial developments in GST, was another successful programme that enabled members to gain clarity on critical and evolving GST issues.
One of the proudest and most memorable occasions during the month was the celebration of the 49th Branch Formation Day. The event was conducted with great enthusiasm and camaraderie, bringing together members, past leaders, and dignitaries of the profession. It was indeed a moment of pride and gratitude as the Branch felicitated our respected Past Chairmen, whose contributions and leadership have laid a strong foundation for the growth and progress of the Branch over the years.
The Branch also had the honour of felicitating the Navratnas — our distinguished co-opted members to the Central Council for the Council Year 2026–27. Their remarkable achievement is a matter of immense pride not only for the Branch but for the entire professional fraternity, and we wholeheartedly congratulate them on this well deserved recognition.
We were privileged to have Shri C.A. Vinay Kumar, Director (Finance), RINL – Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, as the Chief Guest for the Formation Day celebrations. His gracious presence, inspiring words, and encouragement added immense value and prestige to the occasion. On behalf of the Branch and all our members, I extend our heartfelt gratitude and special thanks to him for sparing his valuable time and gracing the celebrations.
As we enter the month of May 2026, the Branch is embarking upon an ambitious and highly relevant professional initiative focusing extensively on the Income Tax Act, 2025. Recognising the transformative impact and practical significance of the new legislation, the Branch has consciously planned a comprehensive series of technical sessions aimed at covering all major and practically significant topics under the Act.
The Income Tax Act, 2025 represents a new era in direct taxation and is expected to substantially influence compliance frameworks, advisory practices, litigation strategies, and tax planning methodologies. Understanding the need for professionals to remain updated and future-ready, the Branch is making every sincere effort to provide members with a structured and meaningful learning platform that combines conceptual clarity with practical application.
We are privileged to host eminent and highly experienced faculty from Chennai, Bengaluru, and various other places, including renowned speakers such as CA T.G. Suresh, CA Dr. M. Kandasami, and CA Cotha S. Srinivas, who will share their rich practical expertise and deep insights on critical areas such as preliminary concepts, basis of charge, residential status, business income, capital gains, TDS provisions, taxation of trusts and NPOs, and several other key provisions under the Income Tax Act, 2025.
I earnestly request all members to actively participate in these sessions and utilise this valuable opportunity to strengthen their professional preparedness for the changing taxation regime.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind members regarding the One-Time Annual CPE Payment Facility. I request all members to make use of this facility and actively participate in the wide range of programmes planned by the Branch throughout the year. Your participation not only enhances professional knowledge but also strengthens the collective growth and vibrancy of our Branch activities.
The Branch remains steadfast in its commitment towards professional excellence, continuous learning, member welfare, and quality knowledge dissemination. I sincerely thank all the speakers, participants, Managing Committee members, volunteers, and staff members whose efforts and cooperation continue to contribute towards the successful conduct of our programmes and initiatives.
Let us continue to work together with renewed enthusiasm, professional integrity, and collective spirit towards strengthening our profession and our Branch.
Wishing you all a productive and fulfilling month ahead

CA. Patnala Lokesh
Chairman
Visakhapatnam Branch of ICAI (SIRC)