CS Course consists of three levels which one has to pass to successfully to complete the course. CSEET, CS executive and CS Professional
CS Course includes three levels: CSEET, CS Executive, and CS Professional. To complete the company secretary course, you must pass all levels
A Company Secretary plays a crucial role in both private and public organizations, overseeing legal, financial, and compliance matters. To become a professional CS, you must complete the Company Secretary Course by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).
This article covers essential CS course details, including admission, CS exam levels, registration, eligibility, and the CS course duration.
What is CS Course?
To practice as a Company Secretary in India, students must enroll in and complete all levels of the CS Course. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) conducts the exams for this CS course. ICSI is the statutory body for the Company Secretary course in India. Students must follow ICSI guidelines to complete the course and meet the CS exam levels and requirements.
CS Course Details
The CS Course has three levels to complete:
- Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET)
- Company Secretary Executive (CS Executive): Two modules (Module 1 and Module 2) can be taken individually or together.
- Company Secretary Professional (CS Professional): Three modules (Module 1, Module 2, and Module 3).
Firstly, a student will have to enroll in CSEET and pass the examination to get admission in CS Executive.
CS Executive consists of 2 modules i.e., module – 1 and module – 2. Examination for these modules can be given individually or together depending on your preference.
After passing CS Executive (both modules), a student can take admission in CS Professional which consists of three modules i.e., module -1, module – 2, and module – 3. After passing CS Professional, you would have completed the CS course.
Company Secretary Course Duration
The Company Secretary course duration varies based on the qualification and experience of the candidate. Typically, it ranges from 2.5 to 3 years for students starting fresh.
CS Course Duration is of about 3 years.
- CSEET – 8 months
- CS Executive – 9 months
- CS Professional – 10 months
During the course, you will also have to undergo several training programs. The duration for those is mentioned below.
| Training | Duration |
| Students Induction Program (SIP) | 7 days |
| Executive Development Program (EDP) | 8 days |
| Computer Training | 70 hours |
| Personal Development Program (PDP) | 25 hours |
| Management Training | 15 months |
CS Course Duration After 12th
For students pursuing the CS course after 12th grade, the duration is usually around 2.5 to 3 years, including Foundation, Executive, and Professional stages. The course provides a comprehensive pathway from the basic to advanced levels.
CS Course Duration After Graduation
Graduates opting for the CS course can complete it in approximately 2 to 2.5 years, focusing directly on the Executive and Professional stages. This accelerated timeline is due to the exemption from the Foundation level.
CS Course Duration After CA
After completing CA, the CS course can be finished in about 1 to 1.5 years, as CA professionals are exempt from the Foundation and some Executive modules. This expedited path caters to their prior knowledge and experience.
CS Course Duration After MBA
MBA graduates generally complete the CS course in approximately 1.5 to 2 years, benefiting from exemptions in the Foundation and certain Executive stages. The duration reflects their prior business and management knowledge.
How to take admission in CS course?
To take admission in the Company Secretary Course, you must register with the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and complete the necessary eligibility criteria for each level.
Eligibility for CS Course
To enroll in the Company Secretary (CS) course, candidates must have completed their 12th grade from a recognized board. For those with a graduation degree, eligibility is extended directly to the Executive Program.
Eligibility For CSEET Exam
- The candidate must be 17 years old or above
- Candidate must have passed class 12th in any discipline except fine arts from a recognized board or university
- Graduates and Post Graduates can also apply
Eligibility For CS Executive
- Must have passed the examination of CSEET or a candidate can be exempted from CSEET if the candidate has passed the final level examination of the CA course granted by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
- If the candidate has passed the final level examination of the CMA course granted by The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of India.
Eligibility For CS Professional
- Must have passed all modules of CS Executive
CS Course Registration
To take admission to CSEET, a candidate has to register by filling out an application form, providing the requested documents, and paying the registration fee, on the official website of ICSI.
- The registration fee for the CSEET exam is Rs.1,000/- (Rupees One Thousand Only) per appearance.
- The registration fee for CS Executive exam is Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand Only) per appearance.
- The registration fee for CS Professional exam is Rs.12,000/- (Rupees Twelve Thousand Only) per appearance.
CS Course Syllabus and subjects
The CS Course syllabus covers essential subjects for each level: CSEET, CS Executive, and CS Professional. It includes key topics like company law, taxation, and finance, providing a complete understanding of corporate governance and compliance.
CSEET Syllabus
Paper 1: Business Communication
Paper 2: Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis
Paper 3: Economic and Business Environment
Paper 4: Current Affairs
CS Executive Module-1 Syllabus
Paper 1: Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws
Paper 2: Company Law & Practice
Paper 3: Setting Up of Business, Industrial & Labour Laws
Paper 4: Corporate Accounting and Financial Management
CS Executive Module-2 Syllabus
Paper 5: Capital Market & Securities Laws
Paper 6: Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws
Paper 7: Tax Laws & Practice
CS Professional Module-1 Syllabus
Paper 1: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) – Principles & Practice
Paper 2: Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances
Paper 3: Compliance Management, Audit & Due Diligence
CS Professional Module-2 Syllabus
Paper 5: Strategic Management & Corporate Finance
Paper 6: Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency
CS Professional Module-1 Electives
Paper 1: CSR & Social Governance
Paper 2: Internal and Forensic Audit
Paper 3: Intellectual Property Rights- Law & Practice
Paper 4: Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security- Laws & Practice
CS Professional Module-2 Electives
Paper 5: Arbitration, Meditation & Conciliation
Paper 6: Goods and Services Tax (GST) & Corporate Tax Planning
Paper 7: Labour Laws & Practice
Paper 8: Banking & Insurance – Laws & Practice
Paper 9: Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Check out our course for CSEET, Executive and Professional!
CS Exams
Get to know the essential details about CS exams, including the examination form, admit card, results, passing criteria, and exam pattern for effective preparation.
CS Examination Form
After completing the registration process, candidates must fill out the examination form for their respective levels of the CS Course and pay the required fee. The examination fee for CS Executive and CS Professional is Rs. 1,000 each. Without submitting the examination form, you cannot proceed with the exam.
CS Admit Card
Download your admit card from the ICSI official website. It is mandatory to bring the admit card to the exam center, or entry will be denied.
CS Results & Passing Criteria
Results are available on the ICSI website. To pass, candidates must score at least 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate across all levels.
CS Exam Pattern
- CSEET: Held four times a year (January, May, July, November)
- CS Executive & CS Professional: Held twice a year (June, December)
- Duration: 3 hours per paper
- Marks: Each paper carries 100 marks
- Type: Objective and descriptive questions
- Mode: Offline center-based
- Modules: Exams can be taken for individual modules or together, as per choice
Mandatory Requirements for CS Course
Students must adhere to ICSI guidelines, including:
Oral Coaching
Complete mandatory coaching sessions: 35 classes of 2 hours each for CS Executive and 40 classes for CS Professional, at recognized centers.
Computer Training and SIP
- Complete a 7-day Student Induction Program (SIP) within six months of registering for the Executive program.
- Undertake 70 hours of compulsory computer training before sitting for the Executive exams.
Management Training
Post-CS Executive, undergo 15 months of management training, including 25 hours of Professional Development Program (PDP), before attempting the CS Professional exams.
Career After CS Course
The CS course opens numerous career opportunities, including roles such as Manager, Assistant Manager, and positions in banks, insurance companies, and corporate advisory services.
Career Options for Company Secretary
- Manager
- Assistant Manager
- Bank and building societies
- Employer’s cooperatives
- Housing Associations
- Insurance companies
- Investment sectors
- Trade bodies
Job opportunities
- Foreign Collaborations and Joint Ventures
- Legal, Secretarial and Corporate Governance
- Project Planning
- Capital Market and Investor Relations
- Corporate Advisory Services
- Corporate Restructuring
Start Your Career in CS with TopLad
TopLad, India’s leading online platform for CMA, CA & CS, offers comprehensive support for CS aspirants. We provide:
- Online Classes taught by the top faculties in India (English & Hindi)
- CSEET, Executive and Professional Courses (Individual subjects or combos)
- Study Material – Books, Notes, practice manuals, video lectures (pen drive or google drive)
- Mock Test Papers
- Previous year question papers with solutions
- Test series strictly as per exam pattern of Institute of Company Secretaries of India
- Doubt sessions
- Job Portal – With our job portal you can easily find job opportunities from the best organizations in India. Whether you have qualified for your course, still pursuing it, or looking for an organization for your articleship, you can find a job with TopLad.
- Quality learning and a faculty that you can trust
What are the Company Secretary exam levels?
The Company Secretary exam levels are Foundation, Executive, and Professional. Each level covers different modules related to company law and governance.
What is the Company Secretary highest package?
The Company Secretary highest package can reach up to INR 30-50 lakhs per annum, depending on experience, industry, and location.
What are the Company Secretary modules?
Company Secretary modules include Company Law, Corporate Governance, Financial Management, Taxation, and Secretarial Practice.
Is there a Company Secretary online course available?
Yes, Company Secretary online courses are available and offer flexibility for studying various aspects of the Company Secretary curriculum.
How long is the CS articleship duration?
The CS articleship lasts for 15 months and provides practical experience in company secretarial work.
