CA Final exam topper says ‘studied for 12-hours a day’: AIR 2 Tejas Mundada

Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Tejas comes from a family of Chartered Accountants – his father and brother are CAs – so his choice of profession seemed almost natural. “CA runs in the family, and I have always been interested in finances. I think CA is one of the best ways to gain comprehensive knowledge about the world of finances, and that is what drew me to this profession,” he said.

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Despite the pressure of living up to family expectations, Tejas carved his own path through the rigorous CA curriculum. He appeared for the CA Foundation in 2021 and has been clearing all levels in his first attempt since then, including the Intermediate-level exams this year.

‘12 hours of study along with workout’

His typical routine during the CA Final group exams was intense and disciplined. “I studied for about 12 hours during the final group preparation, along with regular workout sessions,” Tejas shared.

But it was hardly all work and no play. Beyond the monotonous study sessions, Tejas looked forward to his weekend ritual with great anticipation. “Six days I study, and on Sundays I look forward to going out with friends for a 5-km run. It is something I really enjoy and helps me maintain balance,” he said.

Tejas was also clear about the need to get coaching. “It helps you understand what to learn, what all to understand, and how to cover the syllabus. This is only possible with a professor or teacher’s help. Coaching is essential,” he said, adding that he left coaching after the Intermediate exams round and continued his preparation independently thereafter.

For aspiring CA students, he offered straightforward advice based on his own experience. “Know what the subject is in detail, without any gaps, and maintain consistency in practice. These things are crucial,” he emphasised.

The main challenge during his preparation came during articleship, Tejas said. “The challenge was studying for the examinations while learning all essential practical knowledge at the office during the day, making sure I wasn’t falling behind in my preparation… I had to balance both, and not break the flow of my studies.”

Balancing screen time with studies

Interestingly, he was never completely off social media or OTT platforms during his preparation. “Yes, I watch. I was never completely off social media. I was always balancing how I relax and how I study so as to not break my flow,” he said, dispelling the myth that success requires complete disconnection from entertainment and leisure.

Asked about backup plans, he revealed that for him, CA was an all-or-nothing commitment. “It was do or die for me. I had no backup plan,” Tejas said, reflecting the single-minded determination that helped him achieve the all-India rank.

With the results declared, he is now weighing his options. “Once the results are announced, placement begins after a month. So around December 2025, I am expecting the CA Institute to begin the process.”

According to the ICAI, 11,466 candidates who appeared for the examination have successfully qualified as Chartered Accountants, with Mukund Agiwal from Dhamnod emerging as the topper with 500 marks (83.33%).