Mangaluru: Determination and consistent hard work have helped Deepak Hegde,23, from Bajire near Venoor secure the 28th all-India rank (AIR) in the recently announced chartered accountancy (CA) examinations, scoring 425 out of 600.Coming from a modest background, Deepak studied at the Govt Primary School, Bajire, before moving to Alva’s Kannada Medium High School. His journey, however, was not without setbacks. He initially failed to secure admission at Alva’s in class 8, but refused to give up. He reappeared for the entrance test the following year, cleared it, and went on to join the institution. Academically steady, he scored 91% in his BCom examinations and also secured the 10th rank in the CA Intermediate examination in 2023. He later pursued his degree at Alva’s Evening College, Moodubidire. Even during his student years, he was determined to take on the challenging CA course, despite being told by many that it would be difficult to clear.He said, “After graduation, I spent three months in Bengaluru for articleship before returning to Mangaluru. Apart from a few online classes, I largely relied on self-study, strictly following a disciplined timetable. The most difficult phase was maintaining consistency during the six-month study leave period, which is crucial for preparation.” He cleared both the groups together, but was worried as this year’s advanced financial management paper was tough.Deepak is now looking ahead to a career in consultancy in the finance and management domain. He noted that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts a Management Development Programme for top 50 performers. He credited his success to discipline, focus, and strong family support. His father, B Divakar Hegde, runs a small grocery store, while his mother supplements the family income by rolling beedis. Despite limited educational backgrounds, his parents consistently encouraged their children to pursue studies. His elder brother Deekshith works with a startup in Bengaluru, while another brother Dhiraj has completed his MBBS from Bengaluru Medical College.Deepak said that he missed college life during his preparation phase, but said maintaining focus, consistency, and a balanced routine, including meditation, yoga, and time with family helped him stay grounded.He expressed gratitude to his mentors, including Giridhar Kamath, partner at Ganesh and Sudhir Chartered Accountants, during his articleship, who regularly guided and motivated him. Deepak also acknowledged the role school headmaster Kamalaji S Jain, Prashanth, dean in PU college, Aparna, coordinator, during the intermediate course.For aspiring CA students, his message is simple, “consistency, self-belief, and the right guidance matter most.” “The office environment and practical exposure helped me develop independently and think beyond textbooks,” he said.His mentor Giridhar Kamath described him as a curious learner who never shied away from responsibility, and always looked at the bigger picture, qualities that set him apart early in his career.
