CA Ketan Saiya did not start as a topper. He scored 54 percent in graduation. He failed in his subject in 7th standard. He got around 68 percent in his 10th board exams. By conventional metrics, nothing about his early academic record suggested he would lead India’s accounting profession. But when he started the CA exams, he worked hard, and he became successful. You can get a bachelors degree while preparing for CA – get dual advantage by enrolling in Parul University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) with Integrated CA Preparation!
He shared this story specifically to counter the myth that CA is only for brilliant students. If you’re an commerce enthusiast and looking to work for a leading BPO or an outsourcing company, wait no more and explore Parul University’s commerce & management courses after 12th std. His examples were pointed: an auto-rickshaw driver’s daughter, living in a 200-square-foot room, passed the CA exam. A worker’s son got a top rank. A student from a village in South India did exceptionally well. The CA course has no reservation, no religion, no caste. It is a course for everyone. If you’re a commerce enthusiast aiming to build a career with a leading BPO or outsourcing firm, don’t wait, explore Parul University’s commerce and management programs after 12th.
“Success in CA depends on focus and hard work, not just past grades.”
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The Numbers That Make CA Less Scary
The passing percentage is over 20 to 25 percent, not the single digits that urban myths suggest. The exams happen three times a year, not once. Students can take one group at a time instead of all papers together. ICAI supports over 11 lakh students nationally, with WICASA (the student body) having more than 5 lakh students in western India alone.
After qualifying, CAs can start their own practice, join corporates, or work in more than 200 countries where Indian CAs are highly respected. The incoming Chairman, CA Sourabh Ajmera, described Chartered Accountants as the real financial soldiers of the country: they help the government collect GST, prepare the budget, and support India’s economic growth. If you too want to establish a good business base and are passionate about taxation and accounting, enrol into Parul University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) with Integrated CA Preparation Course.
“Chartered Accountants are the real financial soldiers of the country.”
ICAI and AI: The World's First AI Course for Accountants
An engineering student asked how accountants will survive when machines and AI automate financial analysis, auditing, and decision-making. The speakers agreed that technology is here to stay and must be adapted to immediately. This is why ICAI became the first institute in the world to launch a course on Artificial Intelligence for both members and students. The profession is not being replaced by AI. It is integrating AI into its practice. You too can leverage AI by enrolling in Parul University’s B.Tech in AI & ML!
ESG, Ethics, and the New Tax Act
The Chairman introduced the concept of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) with a direct framework: planet first, people, then the money we make. ICAI created a new Institute of Social Auditors to check whether companies are saving energy, controlling pollution, and treating employees well, not just making profits.
On ethics, a student asked how CAs maintain honesty when working on complicated tax problems. The Chairman responded that India is moving into an era where taxation will be better. The government is introducing a new Income Tax Act starting April 2026 to simplify things. ICAI gave the government more than 200 suggestions, and the government adopted over 100 of them. Doing the right thing, he said, is just a normal part of life.
“There is no conflict between doing good business and paying honest taxes.”
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Why Commerce Is Life?
The Chairman spoke about an online course called Train Earn Learn (TEL), a 36-hour affordable programme teaching basic accounting. His argument for why everyone should learn commerce was simple: if your parents give you money, you go home and tell them how much you spent and how much is left. That calculation is commerce. Everyone uses it. He praised the National Education Policy for allowing students to study science, arts, and commerce together, predicting it will create multi-talented global leaders in the next ten years.
“No matter what your background is, you must know how to manage money.”
Leadership: Praise to the Team, Blame to the Leader
The Chairman’s leadership philosophy was captured in one principle: whatever credits are to be given should be given to all the team members. Whatever debit, if anything is going wrong, the responsibility needs to be taken by the leader. At the end of the session, instead of accepting a gift from students, the ICAI leaders gave a gift: a published book on practical AI tools for every student in the room. Achieve dynamic heights in the world of commerce & management by enrolling into PU’s Bachelors & Masters Programs!
“A true leader gives away the praise but takes all the blame.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CA exam really that tough?
ICAI Chairman CA Ketan Saiya scored 54 percent in graduation and failed in 7th standard. Passing percentage is 20 to 25 percent, not single digits. Exams happen 3 times a year. Students can take one group at a time. An auto-rickshaw driver's daughter passed from a 200-square-foot room. A worker's son got top rank. The Chairman told Parul University students: success depends on focus and hard work, not past grades.
Is ICAI using AI in accounting?
Yes. ICAI is the first institute in the world to launch an AI course for accountants. The profession is integrating AI into financial analysis, auditing, and decision-making rather than being replaced by it. The ICAI leaders gave every Parul University student a published book on practical AI tools.
