In a world where digits dance, and charts sing a melody of risk and reward, the finance sector often feels like a cryptic maze. For many it’s a space filled with perplexing jargon and shadowy stock tickers that evoke more dread than delight. But every so often, a pathfinder emerges as someone who sees the symphony in the chaos and transforms intimidating financial equations into a language as simple and harmonious as a nursery rhyme.
Meet CA Rachana Phadke Ranade, the virtuoso of financial literacy, who has turned the enigmatic art of investing into an engaging performance for millions. From her humble beginnings to her meteoric rise as India’s leading finance educator, Rachana is proof that with the right mix of passion and purpose, one can rewrite not just balance sheets but entire destinies.
From Melody to Money
Born and raised in Pune, Rachana’s early aspirations had little to do with balance sheets or stock markets. A trained singer and a Sangeet Visharad, she once envisioned a future filled with melodies. Her musical journey even led her to share the stage with A.R. Rahman and perform across India. But destiny had a different crescendo planned.
In college, Rachana met Akshay Ranade, a fellow Chartered Accountant and now her husband. Akshay’s dream of becoming a CA inspired Rachana to join the same path, not just as a career move but as a way to stay connected with him. What started as a supportive gesture soon revealed Rachana’s academic brilliance, and she cleared the rigorous CA exams on her first attempt.
The Spark That Lit the Fire
Akshay’s enthusiasm for the stock market introduced Rachna to a world she had never explored. Intrigued by his passion, she delved into market dynamics, company fundamentals, and investment strategies, which was the beginning of her love affair with finance.
While lucrative job opportunities awaited her, Rachana chose a different path—teaching. For a decade, she taught CA and MBA students in Pune, earning a reputation for her engaging teaching style and ability to simplify complex concepts. But her true calling lay beyond the classroom.
“My advice is to do something which you can hold on to long term and you should do if it is your passion. Don’t follow someone blindly and start imitating them.” – Rachana Ranade
The YouTube Revolution
In 2019, Rachana launched her YouTube channel, “CA Rachana Phadke Ranade,” with a vision to make financial education accessible to all. Her initial videos on stock market basics quickly went viral, resonating with viewers who found her explanations refreshingly simple and relatable. Within five years, her English channel amassed over 5.1 million subscribers, making her one of India’s leading finance educators.
Recognising the need to break linguistic barriers, Rachana launched a Marathi channel on Maharashtra Day in 2022. In just two years, it garnered over 1.1 million subscribers, proving that financial literacy transcends language. Her website, offering eight meticulously designed courses on the stock market and personal finance, boasts over 270,000 registered users.
A Mission to Empower Every Household
Inspired by ‘India’s Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, Rachana launched ‘Har Ghar Investor’ initiative, aiming to instil financial literacy in every Indian household. The campaign gained momentum with her first-ever live event in Pune in November 2024, drawing a massive crowd of eager learners. Her corporate workshops for giants like Uber India, Google India and Accenture have further amplified her impact. She has educated professionals and inspired them to make informed financial decisions, aligning personal goals with broader economic growth.
The Women Behind the Vision
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rachana’s story is deeply human. Her decision to pursue CA was driven by love for her husband, Akshay, who later left his high-paying job to support her vision. Together, they have created a movement that extends beyond financial education—it’s about empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures.
Rachana is also a mother, balancing her personal and professional life with remarkable grace. Her relatable persona—rooted in humility and authenticity—has made her a role model for millions.
Highlights
- Winner of YouTube next—up 2019.
- Appeared in the Top most position on Official YouTube Blog titled “9 Women bosses who inspire us on YouTube” in 2020.
- Chosen by YouTube for their “Creating For India”campaign in 2022.
- Invited as a speaker at the ‘1 Billion Followers Summit’ -Dubai, held in Dec 2022.
- Received the ‘Mata Sanman’: Youth Icon for the year 2023’ award from the Hon’ble Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
- Ranked #2 in the Fovikon list of Top 200 LinkedIn creators in India in 2023 in the category “Financial Markets”
- Awarded first place in CA Women Value Creator Award category in CA Women Excellence Award 2023 organized by WYMEC ICAI.
