Well my case isnt exactly the apt example. But I hope this gives ur friend some relief.  I had got 69 marks in accounts in my CA inter exams but the exemption turned out to be invalid bcoz I was absent from the remaining exams. The next attempt I got an All India rank.

Pls tell ur friend not to worry about what others are saying. If he deserves a rank, he will get it. ICAI isnt going to hold it back just bcoz he has surrendered his exemption.

god help you guys....