Becoming a CA at 45: Purnima Daftari’s Journey of Resilience Inspires a New Generation

 Her academic brilliance continued at Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University, where she secured the highest among all in the very first year. Inspired by the prestige and challenge of the Chartered Accountancy course, she completed the CA Inter level during her college years while also completing her article ship in Delhi. This was nothing but a testament to a bright future in the making. But sadly, life had other plans. Marriage and motherhood soon took centre stage, where she chose to devote herself to raising her two children. One of which studies at IIT Kanpur - a reflection of the same academic passion that burned within her.

Even though she stepped back from her professional pursuits, her dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant never faded. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, her conscience nudged her to return to her studies. In 2023, with both hope and hesitation, she began again, now with a single subject. Her six-month preparation led to her success, reigniting a fire that had been halted. And from there, there was no turning back. She sailed through Group 1 of the CA Final in May 2024 and Group 2 in May 2025. This was nothing short of a triumphant conclusion to a journey that lasted for over two decades.

At 45, she joined an office to finally begin the career she had always dreamed of — proving that it's never too late to start over, and that perseverance knows no age.

Mrs. Purnima Daftari proudly says, “This achievement is not mine. It belongs to my children, my mother, my family, my friends — and to every woman who has ever paused her dreams for the sake of love and responsibility.”

Today, her journey stands as one to take inspiration from, reminding us all that it’s never too late to lose hope on one’s dreams, try, and succeed. Her path might have changed its course in the past, but her destination remained unchanged. And, she has achieved it all with unmatched grace and grit.