National Football Player Scores Top 5 in CA Exam

While thousands of students sacrificed everything to prepare for India's notoriously difficult Chartered Accountancy exam, Moksh Rathod kept playing football and still scored fifth in the entire country.

Rathod earned 508 out of 600 marks on the CA Intermediate exam while maintaining his training schedule as a national-level football player. He studied eight to ten hours daily on weekdays but reserved his weekends entirely for the sport he loves.

"The preparation took eleven months, and those months felt like years," Rathod said. He found the theoretical subjects like audit and law particularly challenging, advising future test-takers to give theory subjects extra time and never skip mock tests.

Two other Ahmedabad students also cracked the top ranks. Stuti Goenka secured All India Rank 10 with 484 marks, studying 10 to 12 hours daily. Kanhaiya Sharma earned Rank 40 with 445 marks, calling audit "a nightmare" for CA students but pushing through with consistent effort.

All three students credited their families for creating supportive environments. Goenka's parents kept the TV volume low and minimized phone calls during her study hours. Sharma's parents and sister provided constant encouragement when he considered dropping out.

The students took a minimalist approach to technology during preparation. Rathod stayed off Instagram completely and avoided AI summarization tools, noting that ICAI exams require deep understanding that artificial intelligence cannot provide. Goenka used app timers to limit entertainment strictly to one hour when she allowed herself screen time.

Why This Inspires

These young achievers prove that success does not require abandoning every passion or burning out completely. Rathod's commitment to football alongside his studies shows that balance and joy can coexist with academic excellence.

Their stories also highlight the power of supportive relationships during grueling challenges. Small gestures from family members, like turning down the television or making encouraging phone calls, created the emotional foundation these students needed to persist through self-doubt and exhaustion.

The toppers showed remarkable mental strength when rumors circulated about potential exam leaks before results were announced. While expressing sympathy for NEET students who faced actual paper leaks, they maintained faith in ICAI's examination integrity and focused on what they could control.

Their advice to students who did not pass centers on acceptance and resilience. "Accept your results graciously and prepare well for the next attempt," Sharma said. Rathod emphasized mental preparation for potential failure as part of the CA journey.

All three are now seeking articleships to continue their professional development, with Goenka focusing on taxation and Sharma exploring finance. Rathod plans to clear his CA Final exam with a rank while continuing his football career.

Their success reminds us that the toughest challenges become manageable with steady discipline, loving support, and the courage to maintain what brings us joy.