Mumbai Student Ranks 3rd Nationwide on Brutal CA Exam

A student from Dombivali just proved that detours can lead to destinations beyond your wildest expectations.

Sohan Manjarekar secured third rank nationally on India's notoriously difficult Chartered Accountant final examination. Out of 23,776 candidates who sat for the exam, only 3,345 passed, making the success rate just 14%.

Sohan wasn't even planning to study commerce initially. His Class 12 scores didn't qualify him for his preferred science college, so he enrolled at Mulund College of Commerce in Mumbai instead.

What started as plan B became a path to excellence. "In commerce, CA is considered the top course, so I had to pursue it," Sohan explained.

But there was something more powerful driving him forward. His father had dreamed of becoming a Chartered Accountant but couldn't afford it years ago. "Today he is happier than me," Sohan said, adding that seeing his father's pride made everything worthwhile.

Sohan cleared all three levels of the ICAI exams on his first attempt. After completing his Class 12, he passed the Foundation level, then secured an all-India rank of 6 at the intermediate stage.

He spent two years completing his articleship at Deloitte, gaining real-world experience before dedicating nine months entirely to studying for the finals. When exam stress built up, he'd take short bike rides to clear his mind.

Sunny's Take

Sohan expected to place in the top ten, so landing in the top three was a delightful shock. Now he's job hunting again, believing that employment offers more security than starting his own CA practice, which requires significant startup capital.

His practical approach to career building doesn't diminish his achievement. This is a young man who turned disappointment into determination, honoring both his own potential and his father's deferred dreams.

Sometimes the path we didn't choose becomes the one that chooses us for greatness.