CS Foundation programme replaced with CSEET; Check Major Changes

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has introduced a major change in the curriculum of ICSI CS programme. The institute has discontinued the CS Foundation programme. The programme has been replaced with CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET). Now, CSEET will be a mandatory qualifying test for registration to Executive Programme for all categories of students. However, exemption has been given to few categories.

The existing Foundation programme students will be allowed to appear in the exam till the expiry of the validity of their registration. Such students after passing the Foundation programme may register for Executive programme as per the existing process.

Graduate or postgraduate candidates who were other-wise eligible to seek registration directly to the Executive programme will also have to qualify the CSEET to become eligible for registration to the Programme.

The new curriculum was proposed by ICSI in September which is implemented this year. The aim is to ensure students have the requisite level of aptitude and skills to become successful professionals.

Click here to check the official notice 

CSEET: Eligibility & Exemption

Candidates, who have completed 12th standard, will be eligible to take ICSI CSEET exam. The following categories of students will be exempted from qualifying CSEET and can seek registration directly to Executive Programme.

• CS Foundation Programme passed students
• ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) Final Course passed students
• ICMAI (The Institute of Cost Accountants of India) Final Course passed students

CSEET Dates & Registration Deadline

The ICSI will conduct the first CSEET in May and hold the subsequent tests in July, November and January. The tentative schedule of CSEET throughout the year is given below.

Month of Examination	CSEET Registrations	CS Executive Entrance Test	Last Date of Result Declaration	Last date to register into CS Executive
May	January 21 to April 15,	On a saturday close to May 10,	By May 20,	May 31 (for CS Executive both modules in December session in the same year)
July	May 21 to June 15	On a Saturday close to July 10,	By July 20,	July 31 (for any one module of CS Executive in December session in the same year)
November	July 21 to October 15,	On a Saturday close to November 10,	By November 20,	November 30 (for CS Executive both modules in June session in the next year)
January	November 21 to December 15	On a Saturday close to January 10	By January 20	January 31 (for any one module of CS Executive in June session in the next year)

 The cutoff dates for registration to Executive Programme and Professional Programme for appearing in ICSI CS  examinations held in June and December every year are given below:

Session of CS Executive/ Professional Examinations	No. of Module(s) in which a Student can appear in the Examinations	Cutoff date for Registration to Executive/ Professional Programme
June	All Modules	November 30 (previous year)
	Any One Module	January 31 (same year)
December	All Modules	May 31 (same year)
	Any One Module	July 31 (same year)

Revised Fee Structure

The revised fee structure for Executive programme is given below:

Details	Fee (in Rs)
Registration Fee for all	2,000
Education Fee	6,500
CSEET Exemption Fee	CSEET passed & CS Foundation passed- Nil ICAI Final passed & ICMAI Final passed- 5,000
Pre-Exam Test Fee	1,000
One Day Orientation Prog. Fee	600
Chartered Secretary Journal Subscription (Optional) for one year	500
Total	10,600

CSEET Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The CSEET will be an online Computer-based Test. The test will comprise Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), audio clips, video clips, and descriptive questions. The duration of CSEET will be135 minutes (120 Minutes for MCQ test and 15 minutes for Viva-Voce). There is no negative marking.  The following subjects will be covered under CSEET. 

• Paper 1: Business Communication
• Paper 2: Legal Aptitude & Logical Reasoning
• Paper 3: Economic and Business Environment
• Paper 4: Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Candidates need to secure an aggregate of 50% and 40% in each subject in CSEET.

The provisional registration to Executive Programme is discontinued. ICSI has introduced ‘Continuation of Registration’ according to which the students are required to keep their registration renewed from time to time even after passing Professional Programme. The fee for this is Rs 1000 per year.