ICAI Achieves Guinness World Record: A Milestone in Career Mentorship

ICAI Achieves a Historic Guinness World Record in Career Counselling

In a remarkable achievement for educational outreach in India, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) set a Guinness World Record by conducting the largest career advice session in a single day. This significant event took place in Mumbai on November 28, 2025, attracting over 7,400 participants, including students, teachers, and principals, with 6,166 students officially counted as per Guinness World Records criteria.

This monumental effort was part of ICAI's flagship initiative, CAFY 4.0 (Career in Accounting and Finance for Youth), along with the Super Mega Career Counselling Programme. The aim was to assist young individuals in making informed career choices in an ever-evolving professional landscape.

Context: The Need for Structured Career Guidance

India boasts one of the largest student populations globally, yet structured career guidance is often scarce, particularly in non-urban areas. Recognizing the urgent need for early mentorship, ICAI introduced the CAFY initiative to:

• Promote awareness about career opportunities in accounting, finance, and commerce.
• Reach students from diverse academic backgrounds, including science and humanities.
• Provide structured career guidance and reduce information gaps related to professional paths.

This programme aligns with ICAI's broader mission of nation-building through knowledge dissemination and fostering financial literacy among the youth.

Features of the Record-Breaking Programme

The session in Mumbai was a flagship event in a nationwide effort. While over 1.3 lakh students participated across India, the record for a single location was achieved in Mumbai. Key features included:

• Audience: Over 7,400 attendees, comprising students, educators, and parents.
• Eligible Participants Counted: 6,166 students, in accordance with Guinness rules.
• Interactive Format: The event featured career talks, live Q&A sessions, motivational segments, and resource distribution.
• Coverage Across Streams: Students from commerce, science, and humanities were invited, broadening the reach beyond ICAI’s core focus.
• Pan-India Impact: Simultaneous counselling events were held across the country, enhancing reach and awareness.

The session not only focused on CA as a career but also delved into broader opportunities in accounting, finance, economics, and business management.

National Impact and Global Recognition

Achieving a Guinness World Record signifies more than just a milestone; it underscores the increasing importance of career readiness in India's educational narrative.

• Massive Outreach: The initiative impacted lakhs of students nationwide, empowering them with clarity and direction.
• Showcase of Institutional Leadership: ICAI has transformed its role from a regulatory and academic body to that of a career enabler and mentor.
• Global Recognition: Being featured in Guinness World Records elevates ICAI’s international profile and highlights India's capacity for extensive educational engagement.
• Cross-Stream Counselling: By addressing students from all disciplines, ICAI demonstrated the interdisciplinary relevance of financial education.

Institutional Vision and Student Support

Charanjot Singh Nanda, the President of ICAI, described this achievement as a reflection of the institute's deep-rooted commitment to youth. He emphasized that such initiatives help students make informed decisions, explore new opportunities, and recognize their potential.

ICAI stressed that this is not a one-time campaign; CAFY will continue to serve as a sustained platform for youth engagement, combining offline and digital formats, school and college outreach, and multilingual resources. The programme includes:

• Career Aptitude Mapping Tools
• Financial Literacy Workshops
• Scholarship Guidance and Exam Support
• Mentorship Connects with CA Professionals

Key Takeaways

ICAI successfully set a Guinness World Record for the largest career counselling session in a single day, officially counting 6,166 students in Mumbai. This event was a part of CAFY 4.0, aimed at providing professional guidance across various streams. It reflects ICAI's expanding role in educational outreach, career mentorship, and youth empowerment. The session covered not only CA-related paths but also broader careers in finance, business, and commerce. With over 1.3 lakh participants nationwide, this event has established a precedent for future large-scale counselling initiatives in India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What was the purpose of the ICAI career counselling event?
Answer: The ICAI career counselling event aimed to provide structured guidance to students in making informed career choices in accounting, finance, and related fields.

Q2. How many students participated in the Guinness World Record event?
Answer: Over 7,400 participants attended the event, with 6,166 students officially counted for the Guinness World Record.

Q3. What is the CAFY initiative?
Answer: The CAFY initiative stands for Career in Accounting and Finance for Youth, aimed at promoting awareness and offering guidance in accounting and finance careers.

Q4. Who is the President of ICAI?
Answer: Charanjot Singh Nanda is the President of ICAI, who emphasized the commitment to youth engagement through career counselling initiatives.

Q5. What are some features of the CAFY programme?
Answer: Features include career aptitude mapping tools, financial literacy workshops, mentorship connects, and scholarship guidance to support students.