ARC 2026 Concludes in Kolkata with Call for CAs to Lead India’s AI-Driven Financial Future
Kolkata, 21 June 2026: The two-day National Conference of CA Students, ARC 2026, concluded at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata with a strong call for chartered accountants to play a leading role in India’s rapidly evolving, AI-driven financial landscape.
Organised by the Board of Studies (Operations), EICASA of EIRC of ICAI, the conference—centered on the theme “ARC: Aspire, Rise, Captivate”—brought together over 4,000 students and professionals on June 20–21, 2026.
The inaugural session on June 20 was addressed by Shri Jagannath Chattopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal. Emphasising the pivotal role of chartered accountants, he described them as “guardians of transparency, accountability, and trust.” He encouraged students to cultivate five key values: integrity, continuous learning, excellence, empathy, and service to society.
CA (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar, IPS (Retd.) and MLA, highlighted the importance of cybersecurity under the DPDP Act, urging students to remain persistent in achieving their goals. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he प्रेरकভাবে stated, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
The session began with a Ganesh Vandana and featured addresses by CA Mayur Agrawal, Chairman, EIRC; CA Hari Ram Agarwal, Chairman, EICASA and Vice Chairman, EIRC; and CA Sanjib Sanghi, Council Member, BOS (Operations), ICAI.
Day 1 included technical sessions on finance and reporting, a special interaction with ICAI’s Board of Studies, and insightful talks by Tejas Goenka of Tally Solutions and Abhijeet Chavda. Speakers such as CA Bhanwar Borana, CA Amit Mahajan, and CA Shubham Keshwani focused on building mental resilience among aspirants.
On Day 2, Shri Dilip Ghosh, Hon’ble Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development, Government of West Bengal, underscored the state’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment. He noted that economic growth would naturally increase demand for chartered accountants and encouraged youth to explore career opportunities within West Bengal.
The second day featured sessions on Artificial Intelligence, technology in taxation, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). A highlight was The ARC Incubator, where entrepreneurs pitched ideas before industry experts Mano Venkatesh and Avinash Sahoo of Bonve Aero. The closing session featured Tehseen Poonawalla, who connected political developments with economic policy trends.
Blending knowledge with cultural engagement, the event also showcased student performances and a lively shayari session by Manhar Seth, fostering a spirit of camaraderie among participants.
ARC 2026 concluded on an inspiring note, reinforcing that the chartered accountants of tomorrow must aspire to greater heights, rise with technological advancements, and captivate through leadership and innovation.
