Surat’s Prem Agarwal has secured All India Rank (AIR) 3 in the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Intermediate examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in September 2026. Scoring 490 out of 600 marks, equivalent to 81.67%, he also emerged as the highest-ranked candidate in Gujarat.
The results were announced by ICAI on October 22. Prem’s achievement came after months of disciplined preparation, during which he studied for around eight to ten hours daily. He placed considerable emphasis on repeated revision and regular practice tests to strengthen his understanding of the subjects.
Prem also kept digital distractions to a minimum while preparing for the examination. He stayed away from Instagram and used online platforms primarily for educational purposes. Guidance from his teachers and discussions with a small group of friends helped him address doubts and maintain consistency throughout his preparation.
His mother, Nidhi Agarwal, said the family had always encouraged him to perform to the best of his ability without putting pressure on him to secure a specific rank or score. Although they expected him to do well, his third position at the national level came as a pleasant surprise.
Prem’s teacher, CA Aditya Chhawchharia, also highlighted the importance of early preparation, consistent effort and regular testing in his success. Prem had begun working towards the Intermediate examination soon after his CA Foundation attempt, helping him build a strong academic foundation.
Prem’s achievement highlights the role of discipline, effective preparation and a supportive environment in pursuing demanding professional qualifications. His family’s approach also offers a message to parents: encouraging children, trusting their abilities and allowing them to focus on their efforts can be more constructive than placing expectations on a particular result.
With AIR 3 in CA Intermediate, Prem is now looking ahead to the next stage of his journey towards becoming a chartered accountant.