For AIR 1 rank holder, Sakshi Chandak, the CA Intermediate September 2026 result marked the culmination of months of preparation, early mornings and long study sessions. But the achievement is not one she claims entirely for herself.

The student, who has consistently performed well academically, credits her family for creating the conditions that allowed her to concentrate on her goal.“This success belongs more to my parents than it does to me,” she says, reflecting on the people who stood by her throughout the journey.The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) declared the results of the CA Intermediate September 2026 examination on October 22, with Sakshi Chandak from Nashik sharing All India Rank (AIR) 1 with Neel Rajesh Shah from Mumbai. Both candidates scored 502 out of 600 marks, securing 83.67 per cent.FROM SCHOOL TOPPER TO CA INTER AIR 1Academic success is not new to Sakshi.

She scored 97.4 per cent in her Class 10 CBSE examinations, securing the second rank in her taluka and being the school topper. In Class 12, she scored 94.33 per cent in the Maharashtra HSC examinations, finishing fourth in Nashik.

Originally from Igatpuri in Nashik, Sakshi is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Pune University alongside her Chartered Accountancy course.She describes herself as consistent, hardworking, analytical and attentive to detail. “I'm a person who likes to give my best (100% effort) in whatever I'm doing,” she said. Her interests in finance, mathematics and taxation also align with the subjects she is studying.

Outside academics, she enjoys sketching, solving Sudoku puzzles and going on nature walks.WHY SHE CHOSE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCYSakshi began preparing for CA Intermediate in July 2025. Her decision to pursue Chartered Accountancy was influenced by the range of career opportunities the qualification offers.“After 10th I did not have enough experience to make a decision about my life.

Hence, I chose CA as it offers diverse career options,” she said.The profession's demands also appealed to her. She admires the humility she has observed among chartered accountants and values the patience the course teaches.12 HOURS OF STUDY, 14 AS EXAMS APPROACHEDSakshi's preparation followed an early-morning routine."I was an early bird, waking up around 5:00 am and sleeping around 10:30 pm and had study sessions with small breaks strategically planned, like for breakfast, lunch, dinner, getting ready," she said.Her effective study time averaged around 12 hours a day, rising to 14 hours as the examinations approached.Different subjects required different strategies.

Sakshi found Strategic Management (SM) particularly challenging, so she revised it frequently."For the audit, I revised the topics in a phased manner with four revisions. For tax, I did a lot of practice since the beginning," she said.Her routine was not without pressure.

The study leave before the examinations brought stress and doubts, making it one of the most difficult phases of her preparation.“Constant preparations, faith in my karma and the efforts I have made, and the support of tutors and parents, I regained the emotional and mental strength,” she said.HOW AI HELPED HER UNDERSTAND CONCEPTSAlongside coaching, revision and practice, Sakshi also used artificial intelligence as a learning aid. She turned to it for a clearer understanding of concepts and help with a few case laws.“I used AI for detailed clarity of concepts and a few case laws,” she said.For Sakshi, however, the achievement also reflects the consistency she maintained throughout her preparation and the support she received when the pressure became difficult to manage.When she finally saw her result and realised she had secured AIR 1, the feeling was overwhelming.“The feelings of securing AIR 1 cannot be described in words.

I was overwhelmed, filled with gratitude, it felt like all the sleepless nights and early mornings have paid off,” she said.For Sakshi, the result is a milestone in a journey that has demanded consistency, patience and the ability to push through self-doubt. As she moves ahead with her BCom and CA studies, she carries with her the lessons of the preparation and the support of the family she credits for her success.- Ends