New syllabus for CS Foundation exam

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has introduced a new syllabus for the Company Secretary (CS) Foundation Programme (Stage 1), which is in effect from February 1, 2012. The first exam based on this syllabus will be conducted in December this year.

In an effort to develop competent professionals, ICSI is also focusing on improving its infrastructure, enhance placement opportunities for students and financial resources for the institute, and provide leadership on the global level.

The CS Foundation programme has four papers:

• Business Environment and Entrepreneurship;
• Business Management, Ethics and Communication;
• Business Economics;
• Fundamentals of Accounting and Auditing

Earlier, the students had to complete mandatory coaching to appear for the exam. But now, this requirement has been removed and students will be able to appear for the CS Foundation exam on the basis of self-study.

The exam will be based on Optical Marks Recognition (OMR) sheet pattern and will only have objective-type and multiple-choice questions.

The Board of Studies, constituted by the Council of the Institute, has also finalised a draft of new syllabus for Executive Programme (Stage II) and Professional Programme (Stage III) examinations, which may be introduced soon. The board will also review the syllabus of all CS exams regularly to ensure it meets industry requirements and expectations.

Other interesting reads:

-          Company Secretary – Study and Training

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