Company Secretary is someone who is responsible for the corporate governance of the company. A Company Secretary is considered an expert in corporate laws and works as Secretarial Auditor or Compliance Officer or part of senior management of the company. The role of a Company Secretary can also include advising the board of directors of the company.

Within the dynamic and ever-changing business scenarios, the role of Company Secretary is highly in demand in the job market.

The Company Secretary course is governed by The Institute of Companies Secretary of India (ICSI). To become a Company Secretary, students have to go through the three levels mandated by The Institute of Companies Secretaries of India (ICSI).

To get an insight into the Company Secretary course better, let us understand the three levels as below -

• CSEET - Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test

• CS Executive

• CS Professional

Level - 1: CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test)

Q - How to register for the CSEET Exam?

A - Candidates can register for the CSEET Exam through 8 easy steps, given below-

• Step 1 - To Register for the CSEET, go to the official website of ICSI - www.icsi.edu.

• Step 2 - Click on “ Online Services “ and then click on the option “Register for CSEET” Select the required boxes and go to “proceed to CSEET Registration”

• Step 3 - Fill in the basic details as asked.

• Step 4 - Check the given fee details.

• Step 5 - Upload all the mandatory documents as required.

• Step 6 - Click on the “Confirm Application” button after previewing it.

• Step 7 - Select Payment Mode and Click on Next Button.

• Step 8 - Transaction Id will be generated. Keep the transaction Id for future references.

Candidates are always advised to refer to the www.icsi.edu website for the updated and latest process on registration.

Q - What is the registration fee of CS courses at all levels?

A- The registration fee of all the levels is mention below-

• CSEET/Foundation - Rs. 4500

• CS Executive - Rs. 8500

• CS Professional - Rs. 12000

Candidates can pay the registration fee online through Credit card/Debit card/Net banking.

Candidates are always advised to refer to the www.icsi.edu website for the updated and latest details on payment amount and modes.

Q - What is the eligibility criteria to appear in the CSEET examination?

A - Eligibility criteria to appear in CSEET Exam is given below-

1. Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) passed/ appearing or, its equivalent candidates are eligible to appear in the CSEET

2. According to the new guidelines, it is mandatory to pass the CSEET Exam for all Graduates/Post Graduates candidates. Unline earlier, from now onwards, the candidates will not be able to register directly for the second level, that is, CS Executive Programme.

Q - How is CSEET Exam conducted?

A - CSEET is a computer-based exam of 2 hours duration, and conducted on one day. The question paper contains Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). It is noteworthy that there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.

Q - What is the syllabus for the CSEET Exam?

A – The syllabus of CSEET comprise of 4 papers:-

• Paper 1: Business Communication (50 marks)

• Paper 2: Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning (50 marks)

• Paper 3: Economic and Business Environment (50 marks)

• Paper 4: Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills (Viva Voce) (50 marks)

Q - What are the passing criteria in the CSEET Exam?

A- A candidate is said to be passed in the CSEET exam if he/ she secures a minimum of 40% marks on each paper, and overall an aggregate of 50% marks.

Level 2: CS Executive

Q - Who is eligible to register for the CS Executive course?

A - All the candidates who have qualified for the CSEET Exam are eligible to register for the CS Executive course. Please note, all Graduates/Post Graduates candidates are required to pass the CSEET to become eligible for registration to the Executive Programme.

Q - What is the syllabus of the CS Executive Programme?

A - CS Executive Programme is split into 2 Modules as given below-

Module I

• Jurisprudence, Interpretation and General Laws (100 Marks)

• Company Law (100 Marks)

• Setting up of Business Entities and Closure (100 Marks)

• Tax Laws (100 Marks)

Module II

• Corporate and Management Accounting (100 Marks)

• Securities Laws and Capital Markets (100 Marks)

• Economic Business and Commercial Laws (100 Marks)

• Financial and Strategic Management (100 Marks)

Q - What is the passing criteria in the CS Executive Exam?

A- A candidate is said to have passed in the CS Executive Exam if he/ she secures a minimum of 40% marks on each paper, and overall an aggregate of 50% marks.

Level 2A: Articleship

A Company Secretary is a professional course. So Company Secretary candidates must undergo the training to learn the practical application of theoretical concepts, which will help them to grow as confident professionals.

ICSI provides the following options for Articleship under the Revised Syllabus at different levels -

1. Foundation level (entrance level)

• After clearing this level, the duration of the Articleship is three years.

2. Executive level (intermediate level)

• After qualifying for the CS Executive level, the duration of the Articleship is of two years.

3. Professional level (final level)

• After clearing this level, the duration of the Articleship is of just one year.

Q- Is it mandatory to undergo training after the Executive level?

A- Yes, all CS Executive pass students must undergo training of 24 months. Its details are mention below -

1. One month EDP (15 days direct and 15 days online mode), and

2. 21 months practical training in company and PCS, and

3. Corporate Leadership Development Programme not less than 30 days but not exceeding 60 days as determined by the Institute.

Level 3: CS Professional

Q - Who is eligible to register for the CS Professional course?

A- All the candidates who have qualified for the CS Executive Exam are eligible to register for the CS Professional course.

Q - What is the syllabus of the CS Professional Programme?

A- The syllabus of CS Professional course is split into 3 Modules as given below-

Module I

• Paper – 1: Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics (100 Marks)

• Paper – 2: Advanced Tax Laws

• Paper – 3: Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances

Module II

• Paper – 4: Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence (100 Marks)

• Paper – 5: Corporate Restructuring, Insolvency, Liquidation & Winding-up (100 Marks)

• Paper – 6: Resolution of Corporate Disputes, Non-Compliances & Remedies (100 Marks)

Module III

• Paper – 7: Corporate Funding & Listings in Stock Exchanges (100 Marks)

• Paper – 8: Multidisciplinary Case Studies (This exam is an open book examination) (100 Marks)

• Paper – 9: 1 paper out of the 8 Elective Papers below - (This exam is an open book examination) (100 Marks)

• 9.1 – Banking - Law and Practice

• 9.2 - Insurance - Law and Practice

• 9.3 - Intellectual Property Rights – Law and Practices

• 9.4 - Forensic Audit

• 9.5 – Direct Tax Law & Practice

• 9.6 – Labour Laws & Practice

• 9.7 – Valuations & Business Modelling

• 9.8 - Insolvency - Law and Practice

Q - What are the passing criteria in the CS Professional Exam?

A- A candidate is said to be passed in the CS Professional Exam if he/ she secures a minimum of 40% marks on each paper, and overall an aggregate of 50% marks.

We hope that this article will provide a better clarity on the Company Secretary course. Also, candidates must remember that for pursuing professional courses like Company Secretary - all one needs is to have consistency, dedication, and hard work. So without any delay, kick-start your career by pursuing the CS course and make a name for yourself in the business world!