What is the career path to become an top-ranking executive in a business?

All Top Executives if you see have two things common..
1. Engg. and MBA from Top College
2. Experience

Also you need to have good Analytical skills and communication skills

It will take you to top positions.

on Lighter note, you have to be a son of another Top ranking official ;)

but its only hard work and experience which will let you get to that position. it takes years of experience to grow from group up.
the other way to do this is to look for ideas different and be an entrepreneur which will automatically get you to that state. Example - Mr. Dell, Mark of Facebook, Steve Jobs etc :)

i wish you all the best for your future

It needs immense hard work and dedication to reach there. The journey could be extremely frustrating and volatile. To take a journey like that one needs to be highly motivated and focused - which comes from your passion to fulfill your dream.

So it is of utmost importance that you're following your dream,

Business administration or related field.
Skills: Communication, leadership, time-management, problem solving and decision making skills,customer service skills.

I wish you all the best for your career.
God bless you.

Its the Hard work, experience, performance and tenurity which drives for a successful vertical movement where one can grow in their career and get thro to the top ranking executives.