When most men his age were busy reminiscing about the past, Tarachand Agarwal, a 71-year-old retired bank manager in Jaipur, was poring over balance sheets, taxation laws, and auditing standards. Last month, he became one of the oldest Indians to pass the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Final Exam—widely regarded as one of the country’s most difficult professional tests.
Agarwal’s triumph is not just an academic feat. It is a testament to personal reinvention in the face of grief, generational inspiration, and the enduring power of self-discipline.
A Journey Sparked by Loss and Family Bond
After retiring from the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur as an assistant general manager in 2014, Agarwal settled into quiet domestic life. But in 2020, tragedy struck: his wife of several decades, Darshana, passed away. The grief left him directionless.
His spark returned unexpectedly. While helping his granddaughter Ankika with her CA preparation, he found himself immersed in textbooks and case studies. “I was drawn in. The more I explained to her, the more I felt like learning again,” he said.
Encouraged by his sons—both finance professionals—he officially enrolled with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in 2021.
Rigorous Routine, Zero Coaching
What makes Agarwal’s journey more remarkable is that he took no coaching classes. Instead, he relied on ICAI’s official material, online lectures, and YouTube videos. Every day began with yoga, prayer, and a strict 10 to 12 hours of study.
He cleared the Foundation in May 2022 and the Intermediate level by January 2023. In May 2024, he took the Final examination and passed it—on his first attempt.
His preparation, however, wasn’t without setbacks. He suffered from a frozen shoulder, which made even holding a pen painful. “There were times I couldn’t write for more than 15 minutes,” he said. “But I pushed through.”
“Age Is No Barrier,” Says the New CA
Agarwal’s story has gone viral across Indian social media, earning admiration and nicknames like “Dadaji CA” and “Inspiration at 71.” For many, it is a refreshing departure from India’s youth-focused academic culture.
“My message is simple,” he told . “Age is never a barrier. It’s about discipline, purpose, and belief. Even at 71, you can grow, you can evolve.”
Now a certified Chartered Accountant, Agarwal is looking forward to helping his sons in their practice, mentoring students, and perhaps, writing about his journey.
A Beacon of Lifelong Learning
In a society where retirement often marks the end of intellectual pursuit, Tarachand Agarwal’s story underscores a different truth: the human capacity to learn does not fade with age—it expands when fuelled by purpose.
He hopes his achievement will inspire both young professionals and retirees to embrace learning not as a phase, but as a lifelong calling.
