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Inspired By Granddaughter, 71-Year-Old Bank Retiree From Jaipur Cracks ICAI CA Finals 2025
A retired banker from the erstwhile State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), 71-year-old Tarachand Agarwal didn't return to academics for a job or a promotion
News18
When most people at 71 are preparing to wind down, Jaipur's Tarachand Agarwal decided to chase a dream he had long set aside. On July 6, when the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announced the CA Final 2025 results, Agarwal's name wasn't just among the 14,247 candidates who cleared the exam; it became the most talked-about.
A retired banker from the erstwhile State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), Agarwal didn't return to academics for a job or a promotion. His motivation came from a deeply personal place, his granddaughter. As she began preparing for her CA exams, Tarachand found himself drawn back to books, ledgers, balance sheets, and tax codes.
'Where there is a will, there is a way," wrote CA Nikhilesh Kataria, who shared Agarwal's journey on LinkedIn. The post quickly went viral, earning Agarwal the affectionate title of 'Dadaji Hero" online. 'It is amazing to become a CA at 71, there is no age to learn," commented one user. Another said, 'Not everyone has this courage." The comment section flooded with admiration and applause, as thousands drew inspiration from a man who defied convention.
See the viral post:
Agarwal, by his own admission, did not plan to sit for the exam when he first picked up the books. He began studying only to support his granddaughter. But somewhere along the way, he realised his long-buried dream was still alive. Despite battling age-related fatigue and a weakening memory, he persevered and passed one of India's most demanding professional exams.
While this year's CA Final results also saw Ranjan Kabra from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, secure All India Rank 1 with 516 marks (86%) out of 600, it is Agarwal's story that has stolen hearts. Also in the top three are Nishtha Bothra (AIR-2) and Manav Rakesh Shah (AIR-3), but social media clearly has one favourite – the 71-year-old grandfather who refused to let age define him.
Tarachand's life before CA was already rich in accomplishment. Yet, this milestone has given it new meaning. His journey stands in sharp contrast to the endless online chatter about elite packages from IITs and IIMs, or UPSC toppers making it at 25.
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First Published:
July 10, 2025, 17:35 IST
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