The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) examination system is often described as one of the most exacting professional gateways in the country. At the Executive level, the syllabus expands into a dense terrain of corporate laws, governance frameworks and interpretative writing. The stage tests a candidate’s intelligence, discipline, and temperament. For every exam, we have a fascination to know what the toppers do and how did they excel. As it is well said by someone, “Winners don’t do different things, they do the things differently.” Meet Tithi Bohra, who has emerged as a rank 1 holder in the CS examination. In an exclusive interaction with the TOI, she has spilled the interesting beans of her preparation life.
A rank that was never the goal
“I actually was never sure, till the very result day itself, I was not sure at all,” she said. “Even getting a rank was not something I had imagined at all, to be honest.”Her preparation, she insists, was never driven by the idea of topping the country. “It was never about achieving the rank; it was about clearing the exams,” she explained, adding that her focus remained sharply aligned with one goal: Understanding and completing the syllabus with clarity.
From uncertainty to a clear academic path
Tithi’s journey did not begin with certainty. Growing up in Udaipur, she describes herself as a student still exploring possibilities even after Class 10.“I was not actually very sure till my 10th standard as well, what subject to take,” she recalled. It was curiosity, not clarity, that led her to commerce. “I found commerce as a very interesting stream, I felt I should try something like this.”Initially, her ambitions were anchored in Chartered Accountancy. “My fascination was for more practical subjects, and that is why I chose CA,” she said. But the experience of preparing for CA Intermediate revealed an unexpected challenge. “Theory was something that I struggled with, it scared me,” she admitted candidly.Yet, instead of retreating, she leaned into that discomfort.“When I realised that I was facing this issue with theory, I thought this might be a good opportunity to explore if I’m able to handle that kind of learning,” she said. The CS course, with its strong emphasis on law and theory, became not an alternative but a deliberate challenge.
A strategy built on less, not more
In an age of overwhelming study material and endless resources, Tithi chose restraint over excess, a decision she believes made a critical difference.“I studied in a very precise way, I did not cover a lot of things,” she said. “I kept my preparation focused just with the modules that we have.”Rather than chasing multiple sources, she prioritised depth over breadth. “I used to prioritise topics that I found interesting, and areas that I could score well in,” she added, underlining a targeted approach that many aspirants often overlook.Her advice is direct and cautionary. “Trying to go for everything… that is one mistake a lot of students end up making,” she noted, pointing to the confusion that arises from juggling multiple materials and teaching styles.
Consistency over intensity
If there is one principle that runs through her journey, it is consistency, not long hours, but sustained effort. “Even if you’re taking time out every day, a three to four hour study every day would, I think, make a difference,” she said. “It would get you a different outcome than studying… eight to ten hours every day.”Balancing a demanding articleship alongside preparation, her schedule was anything but ideal. “Some days I even used to come back at 10, and then I had to sit till 4,” she recalled. Yet, she refused to let unpredictability derail her progress. “The only way around it is you have to adapt yourself to whatever situation you might be in,” she said.Consistency, adaptability and hope, she believes, were the three habits that shaped her journey.
Understanding over memorising
For a course dominated by theory, Tithi’s approach was refreshingly counterintuitive. “What helped me with retaining things was how clear I was about them,” she said. “I was always more focused towards gaining a conceptual understanding.”Even in moments of uncertainty during the exam, this clarity became her safety net. “Even a question that I knew nothing about, I had a fair idea to be able to write something about it,” she explained.Her method of answer writing followed a clear structure, concept, application, and conclusion. “Firstly, I used to explain about the concept, then I used to bring in the facts, and then reach a conclusion,” she said, outlining a framework that aligns closely with how professional papers are evaluated.
Inside the examination hall: The real test
If preparation builds confidence, the examination hall tests composure. For Tithi, the first 15 minutes of reading time were decisive. “Those 15 minutes are extremely crucial,” she emphasised. “It lets you make a complete strategy about how your next three hours are going to look like.”Her approach was to stay calm, scan the paper, and plan the order of answers. “The most essential part is being calm, whatever you’ve studied, you’ve studied,” she said.She began with questions she was certain about, building momentum and confidence before attempting the more uncertain ones. “I used to keep fluctuating between things I know and things I do not know,” she explained, ensuring there was never a moment of complete panic.
The invisible support system
Behind the discipline lay a strong support structure. A close friend studying alongside her became a constant source of motivation. “If I was tired someday, she would push me… and some days I used to push her,” she said.Her family, too, played a grounding role. “They said that the worst that can happen is that you will not clear. So what?” she recalled, a perspective that helped her manage pressure and stay focused.
Beyond the rank: A mind still exploring
Despite her achievement, Tithi remains reflective about her future. Her inclination, she says, still leans towards Chartered Accountancy and the practical aspects of finance.“I want to end up doing something that requires a lot of brainstorming, that keeps me active,” she said. “Whatever I do has to really satisfy my intellect.”It is a telling line, because it captures not just ambition, but intent.
More than a topping story
In a system that often celebrates ranks as endpoints, Tithi Bohra’s journey stands out for a different reason. It is not just about securing Rank 1, it is about confronting one’s weaknesses, choosing depth over noise, and building consistency in the face of constraint. Or, as she puts it with clarity: “You first have to believe it yourself that yes, I will definitely clear my exams.” In the end, that belief did more than help her clear, it placed her at the very top.
