For many students, getting a good job after graduating from a top college is the ultimate goal. But for Ritij Saraf, a promising corporate career was not enough. He had a bigger goal in mind: becoming a Chartered Accountant.

That decision eventually took him to the second rank in the CA Final May 2026 examination.

Ritij scored 475 out of 600 marks, securing 79.17% and CA Final AIR 2. His journey from excelling in school to studying at SRCC, gaining experience at leading companies, and finally becoming a CA topper is a story of ambition, discipline, and consistency.

Let’s take a closer look at Ritij Saraf’s success story and the lessons CA aspirants can learn from his journey.

Who Is Ritij Saraf?

Ritij Saraf hails from Howrah, West Bengal. He completed his schooling at Don Bosco School, Liluah, where he was already an outstanding student.

His academic journey began with impressive results:

• 95.60% in Class 10
• 98.75% in Class 12
• B.Com (Hons.) from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC)
• CA Foundation: 342/400
• CA Intermediate: 601/800
• CA Final: 475/600

His consistent academic performance continued throughout every major stage of his education.

From Kolkata to SRCC

Ritij moved from Kolkata to Delhi for higher education and secured admission to Shri Ram College of Commerce, one of India’s leading commerce colleges.

While studying at SRCC, he was actively involved with Enactus SRCC, a social entrepreneurship organization.

Through his work with the club, Ritij gained experience in leadership, business, and social-impact projects. These experiences also opened up opportunities for him to consider a career in consulting and the corporate world.

But he had another ambition that he wasn’t ready to give up.

He Chose CA Over a Lucrative Career

After graduating in 2023, Ritij had several opportunities to build a promising career.

He gained professional experience with companies such as EY and ITC during his articleship and had the opportunity to explore the corporate world.

With his SRCC degree and professional experience, he could have chosen a well-paying job and started earning immediately.

Instead, he decided to continue pursuing his long-held dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant.

It wasn’t necessarily the easiest decision, but it was the one that aligned with his long-term goal.

A Topper From the Beginning of His CA Journey

Ritij’s CA Final success was not a sudden achievement.

He had already demonstrated his ability throughout the earlier stages of the CA examination.

He scored 342 out of 400 in CA Foundation in 2021 and 601 out of 800 in CA Intermediate in 2023. He cleared both groups on his first attempt and received exemptions in all eight papers.

His academic journey didn’t stop with CA either.

In 2023, Ritij also cleared the CFA Level 1 examination, scoring above the 90th percentile.

These achievements show a clear pattern: Ritij consistently set high standards for himself and worked toward them step by step.

CA Final May 2026: The Achievement That Put Him Among India’s Top CA Students

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announced the CA Final May 2026 results on June 18, 2026.

Ritij scored:

475/600 marks
79.17%
All India Rank 2

He finished just behind Noor Singla, who secured AIR 1 with 83.17%, while Sohan Anil Manjrekar secured AIR 3 with 78.83%.

For Ritij, securing AIR 2 was the result of years of consistent academic performance and a firm decision to stay committed to his CA goal.

His Life Isn’t All About Studies

Another interesting aspect of Ritij’s journey is that he has maintained interests outside academics.

He enjoys sports such as cricket and pickleball and has remained involved in activities beyond his studies.

His college experience, professional exposure, and sporting interests show that success doesn’t always require completely disconnecting from everything else.

A balanced routine can also help students stay focused during demanding academic journeys.

What CA Aspirants Can Learn From Ritij Saraf

Ritij’s journey offers several valuable lessons for students preparing for the CA examination.

1. Have a Clear Long-Term Goal

Ritij had opportunities to start earning after college, but he stayed focused on becoming a CA.

Having a clear goal can make difficult career decisions easier.

2. Don’t Measure Success by Speed

There may be faster ways to start earning, but the right career path is different for everyone.

Ritij chose to invest more time in achieving the qualification he genuinely wanted.

3. Consistency Matters More Than One Big Achievement

From Class 10 to CA Final, Ritij maintained strong academic performance.

His story shows how small achievements can build toward a much bigger result.

4. Keep Learning

Along with CA, Ritij cleared CFA Level 1 and gained professional experience.

Continuous learning can help students build stronger academic and professional foundations.

5. Make Room for Life Outside Academics

Sports and extracurricular activities were also part of Ritij’s journey.

Taking time away from books can help students refresh their minds and return to their preparation with better focus.

Final Thoughts

Ritij Saraf’s journey from Howrah to CA Final AIR 2 is more than a topper story.

It is a story about making a difficult career choice, staying committed to a long-term goal, and consistently working toward it.

He had the opportunity to start a promising career after graduating from SRCC. Instead, he chose to continue pursuing CA, backed by years of strong academic performance and professional experience.

His success sends a simple message to every CA aspirant:

Don’t choose a path simply because it is faster or more profitable. Choose the goal that matters to you, stay consistent, and give yourself the time to achieve it.