Class 10 at 13, Class 12 at 15, CA at 19: Meet the Youngest Chartered Accountant in the World - Nandini Agrawal

CA Nandini Agrawal

We often hear that age is just a number. But sometimes, a story comes along that makes us truly believe it. This is not just about a record. It’s about a young girl who saw a distant peak, decided to climb it and reached the top years before anyone thought possible.

Her name is Nandini Agrawal. At just 19 years old, she didn't just become a Chartered Accountant (CA)—she became the youngest female Chartered Accountant in the world. And she didn't just pass; she topped all of India.

Nandini’s story began in Morena, Madhya Pradesh. From a young age, her academic journey was accelerated. She skipped two grades in school, a decision that set her on a fast track. This meant she faced her Class 10 board exams at the age of 13. By 15, she had completed her Class 12 exams.

While most teenagers are just beginning to think about college, Nandini had already set her sights on one of the toughest professional exams in the world: the Chartered Accountancy course.

The CA exam is a marathon of knowledge, discipline and endurance. For Nandini, the challenge was even greater—she was studying complex financial laws and accounting standards while still in her teens. But her focus was unwavering.

In July 2021, at just 19 years, 8 months, and 18 days old, she sat for her final CA exam. When the results were declared on September 13, 2021, she had made history. Nandini secured All India Rank 1, scoring 614 out of 800 marks. This means she outperformed more than 83,000 candidates across the country, achieving a remarkable 76.75%.

That same day, her accomplishment was doubly celebrated. Her brother, Sachin, also cleared the exam with an impressive All India Rank 18. It was a testament to the dedication that filled their home.

For her achievement, Nandini Agrawal was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest female Chartered Accountant. The India Book of Records also noted her national record for securing the top rank at such a young age.

But if you read her own words, you’ll see what drives her. On her LinkedIn profile, she simply states her journey: achieving AIR 1 in CA Finals at 19, and beginning her professional career with a global firm like PwC. For her, the record seems to be a byproduct of her real goal—mastering her craft.

Nandini’s story speaks in a language we all understand: the language of hard work. It reminds us that society’s timelines are not set in stone. She broke the common expectation of what a 19-year-old should be doing, not by magic, but by consistent effort.

Her journey tells every student, every young dreamer, that your circumstances don’t define your ceiling. Whether you come from a small town or a big city, your discipline and belief can compress years of struggle into a story of spectacular success.