Updated on Jan 9, 2023 04:18 IST
Pragati Singh

Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content

Company Secretary or CS is a professional course divided into three levels- Foundation, Executive and Professional. There is a Preliminary Foundation Programme (now, CS Executive Entrance Test or CSEET), followed by an Executive Programme and Professional Programme in the CS course. All candidates must clear the CSEET to pursue the Executive Programme, followed by Professional Programme. 

Candidates can pursue the Company Secretary course after 10+2 education. In case the candidate is registering after 10+2 he/she will have to appear for the CSEET examination. Whereas, if a candidate pursues the course after graduation, he/she can directly register for the executive programme examination. CSEET examination is conducted 4 times a year, whereas, the Executive and Foundation programme examination is conducted in two sessions- June and December. Know the complete details about the CS course below. 

Also Read:

ICSI CS examination: Exam Dates, Application Form, Result

Types of Company Secretary Course 

The CS course is divided into three levels. The course can be pursued as a part-time course as there is no requirement to attend the regular classes. Candidates can prepare for the ICSI CS course with the help of the materials provided online on the official website or by taking the coaching.  

CS Course: Foundation Level 

Candidates registered under Foundation Programme prior to 3rd February 2020 under Syllabus (2017), shall be examined under Foundation Programme till the validity of their registration/passing of the examination, whichever is earlier. The foundation level of the CS course is divided into four papers Check the complete syllabus below: 

Papers 

Parts 

Marks 

Paper 1. Business Environment and Law  

Part A. Business Environment 

40 

Part B. Business Law 

60 

Paper 2. Business Management, Ethics and Entrepreneurship 

Part A. Business Management 

40 

Part B. Business Ethics 

10 

Part C. Business Communication 

25 

Part D. Entrepreurship 

25 

Paper 3. Business Economics 

Part A. Economics 

80 

Part B. Elementary Statistics 

20 

Paper 4. Fundamentals of Accounting and Auditing 

Part A. Fundamentals of Accounting 

70 

Part B. Fundamentals of Auditing 

30 

CS Executive Entrance Exam 

Candidates desiring to pursue the CS course soon after the 10+2 education or graduation/post-graduation must appear for the CSEET which is a gateway to the Executive programme. The CSEET question comprises of four papers as follows: 

Subject 

Number of questions 

Marks 

Business Communication 

35 

50 

Legal Aptitude and Logical 
Reasoning 

35 

50 

Economic and Business 
Environment 

35 

50 

Current Affairs 

15 

20 

Total 

120 

170 

CS Course: Executive Level 

Candidates who will clear the CSEET examination will be eligible for the Executive programme examination which is conducted in June and December sessions.  

Module 

Papers 

Parts 

Marks 

Module 1 

Paper 1. Jurisprudence, Interpretation and General Laws  

- 

100 

Paper 2. Company Law 

Part A. Company Law, Principles &Concepts 

50 

Part B: Company Administration and Meetings – Law and Practices 

40 

Part C: Company Secretary as a Profession 

10 

Paper 3. Setting up of Business Entities and Closure 

Part A: Setting up of Business 

40 

Part B: Registration; Licenses & Compliances 

35 

Part C :Insolvency; Winding up& Closure of Business 

25 

Paper 4. Tax Laws 

Part A: Direct Taxes 

50 

Part B: Indirect Taxes 

50 

Module 2 

Paper 5. Corporate & Management Accounting 

Part A: Corporate Accounting 

60 

Part B: Management Accounting and Valuation 

40 

Paper 6. Securities Laws & Capital Markets 

Part A. Securities Laws 

70 

Part B. Capital Market & Intermediaries 

30 

Paper 7. Economic, Business and Commercial Laws 

Part A. Foreign Exchange Management &NBFCs 

40 

Part B. Competition Law 

25 

Part C. Business & Commercial Laws 

35 

Paper 8. Financial and Strategic Management 

Part A. :Financial Management 

60 

Part B. Strategic Management 

40 

CS Course: Professional Level 

The professional level of the CS course is divided into four parts. Candidates who will clear the executive level examination will be eligible to appear for the professional programe examination. Check the table below to know the complete exam pattern of CS Professional level: 

Module 

Paper 

Parts 

Marks 

Module 1 

Paper 1. Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics 

Part A. Governance 

50 

Part B.  Risk Management 

20 

Part C. Compliance 

20 

Part D. Ethics & Sustainability 

10 

Paper 2. Advanced Tax Laws 

Part A. Indirect Taxes 

70 

Part B. Direct Tax & International Taxation 

30 

Paper 3. Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances 

- 

100 

Module 2 

Paper 4. Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence 

Part A. Compliance Management 

40 

Part B. Secretarial Audit &Due Diligence 

60 

Paper 5. Corporate Restructuring, Insolvency, Liquidation & Winding-up 

Part A. Corporate Restructuring 

50 

Part B. Insolvency& Liquidation 

50 

Paper 6. Resolution of Corporate Disputes,Non-Compliances& Remedies 

- 

100 

Module 3 

Paper 7.Corporate Funding & Listings in Stock Exchanges 

Part A. Corporate Funding 

60 

Part B. Listing 

40 

Paper 8. Multidisciplinary Case Studies 

- 

100 

Elective Paper 9: 

9.1- Banking – Law & Practice 

9.2- Insurance – Law & Practice 

9.3- Intellectual Property Rights: Laws and Practices 

9.4- Forensic Audit 

9.5- Direct Tax Laws & Practice 

9.6- Labour Laws& Practice 

9.7- Valuations & Business Modelling 

9.8- Insolvency – Law and Practice 

- 

100 

Read More:

ICSI Exam Pattern

ICSI Syllabus

FAQs on CS Course 

Q. What are the three levels in CS course?

Ans. The CS course is divided into three levels:  
  • Foundation/CSEET 
  • Executive Programme 
  • Professional Programme 

Q. How can I register for CS Course?

Ans. Candidates applying for the CS course after 10+2 must register for CSEET. After clearing the CSEET candidates will be applicable to apply for further levels.  

Q. What is the eligibility criteria for CSEET?

Ans. Candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination or equivalent. All Graduates/ Post Graduates who were hitherto eligible for registration directly to CS Executive Programme, shall also be required to pass the CSEET to become eligible for registration to CS Executive Programme.  

Q. Which institutes offer CS course?

Ans. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India offers the CS course.  

Q. What is the duration of the CS course?

Ans. The duration of the ICSI CS course is a minimum of 3 years.  

Q. When is the Company Secretary exam held?

Ans. You can enrol for Company Secretary anytime during the year, while the entrance exam is held twice a year, i.e. in June and December.  

Q. What are the qualifying marks to become a certified Company Secretary?

Ans. Any candidate who clears all three programs, i.e. Foundation, Executive, and Professional Programme, with a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and an overall aggregate of 50% across all papers is considered passed.  

Q. Is it necessary to join a college to become a Company Secretary?

Ans. You do not need to join any college for Company Secretary, but you need to complete your graduation from a college/university.   ICSI is responsible for the certification of CS Professionals. It is not a university or college, but an independent institution with national and international authorisation.  

Q. Why is it important for a Company Secretary to study the trends in business?

Ans. The field of business is constantly expanding and improving. A Company Secretary should be aware of emerging trends in business and finance, so as to identify opportunities and act on them.  

Q. Is Company Secretary a good course?

Ans. Yes, being a Company Secretary is a good career option and can help you get a lucrative job at big companies.  

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 6 days ago

'To become a Company Secretary (CS), an internship of 15 months is mandatory, regulated by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The internship is split into two parts: 8 months under a practicing CS or company, and 7 months in a corporate environment like a bank. 'For banking profes

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P

Priya Kumari

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 weeks ago

If you want to do Company Secretary (CS) with BBA LLB and are looking for a college that is not too stringent, then you should look at private universities or colleges. Like- Modern School of Law, Amity University, or Sharda University. These institutions can be good options as they have flexible ti

...more

S

Sanvi Jha

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 weeks ago

CAs typically have a higher earning potential because of their role in auditing, financial management, and taxation. However, CS professionals can also earn pretty much, especially in big corporations with complex compliance needs.

N

Nishtha Rastogi

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, completing CS course in 2 years is not possible because of the compulsory 21-month practical training requirement. Exceptions may apply to specific candidates, but the standard duration is longer. 

K

Kartik Yadav

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 4 weeks ago

Of course, November can be a very appropriate month when the candidate must have prepared well in advance using the rest of the months and focused studying. Now that you are left with a month, here are some things you can consider in preparation for your plan: 

1. Understanding the syllabus: Importan

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S

Shejal agrawal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, Christ University offers a B.Com (Professional) program, which integrates opportunities for professional courses like the Company Secretary (CS) program. This course is tailored to enhance students' prospects in pursuing professional certifications while completing their undergraduate studies.

...more

S

Shashwat Rastogi

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 months ago

ICSI CS December 2024 admit card will release tentatively on December 12, 2024. Candidates who have enrolled for the December 2024 session will be able to download the CS Executive or CS Professional admit card when released. ICSI CS 2024 admit card is an important document which has to be carried o

...more

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Shruti Garg

Contributor-Level 10

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