CA Finals 2013 — 3.11% Pass Rate
He Sat the
Exam With
a Ruptured
Eardrum.
And cleared it anyway.
The story of CA Swapnil Thombare — zero family income for 11 years, 2 pairs of clothes, CFO at 35.
A Family With Nothing Left
His father was a CNC operator. ₹6,000–7,000 a month. A 350 sq ft house.
In 7th standard, he saw his father cry for the first time.
His father had just lost the job he had held for 25 years.
11 Years. Zero Income.
From 2002 to 2013 — not one rupee earned from a job or business.
The entire family survived on ₹6 lakh — his father's full-and-final settlement.
Food. Education. Medical. Household. Over a decade. From ₹6 lakh.
Five Diwalis Without Crackers
For five years, he could not afford a single cracker or new clothes.
One Diwali, he found old crackers in storage — 6 or 7 years old.
He rushed outside, excited. Not one cracker worked.
In 2011, he missed his cousin's wedding. He had no decent clothes to wear.
He Still Chose CA
His marks went from 45% in school to nearly 80% in Class 12.
Many coaching teachers taught him free of cost after learning about his family.
During articleship — two pairs of clothes. No mobile phone. Could not afford decent shoes.
He showed up anyway. Every single day.
The Night Before Taxation Paper
November 2012. CA Finals. Taxation paper — the next morning.
There was a major fight at home. His mother left the house.
The family spent the entire day searching for her. By evening, she returned.
That night, he sat down to study — books wet, notes wet, eyes wet.
A Ruptured Eardrum
October 2013. Nine days before his remaining CA Finals.
His eardrum ruptured. Doctor said — immediate surgery. No money for the operation.
He appeared for the examinations in immense pain.
"If I can give these three hours with complete dedication, I can change my life forever."
November 2013 — He Cleared
CA Final results. November 2013. Pass percentage: 3.11%.
Swapnil Thombare. Cleared. Age 23.
The entire family broke down in tears.
For a family with no income for over a decade — this was not just a result. It was hope. Dignity. A new beginning.
Where He Is Today
International placement right after qualifying — Nairobi, Kenya. Then Nigeria. Then Ethiopia.
From a 350 sq ft house to a 4,500 sq ft G+3 home.
Today, age 35 — CFO at a multinational company in Bangladesh. Net worth: ₹2.5 crore.
The years that broke him —
became the
years that
built him.
CFO at 35. From zero income to ₹2.5 crore.
CA Swapnil Thombare. CNC operator's son. 350 sq ft house. No income for 11 years. Cleared CA Finals at 3.11% pass rate. Age 23.