CS Course Structure and Syllabus: CSEET, Executive and Professional Papers

The Company Secretary course is conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). It prepares students to advise companies on corporate law, governance, securities law, compliance and related areas. This article explains the structure of the course and the papers under the current syllabus (Syllabus 2022), in simple terms. Fees, dates and some details change from time to time, so always check the latest information on the ICSI website before registering.

The three stages

Stage	Who takes it	What it involves
CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET)	Students who have passed or are appearing for Class 12	An entrance test with four parts; graduates and postgraduates, and those who have passed the CA or CMA final, can generally enter the Executive Programme directly without CSEET
Executive Programme	Those who have passed CSEET, or are eligible for direct entry	Seven papers in two groups
Professional Programme	Those who have passed both groups of the Executive Programme	Seven papers in two groups, including two electives

After passing the Professional Programme and completing the practical training and other requirements prescribed by ICSI, a student can apply for associate membership (ACS) and use the designation Company Secretary.

CSEET

• Business Communication
• Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning
• Economic and Business Environment
• Current Affairs and Quantitative Aptitude

Executive Programme papers

Group	Papers
Group 1	1. Jurisprudence, Interpretation and General Laws 2. Company Law and Practice 3. Setting up of Business, Industrial and Labour Laws 4. Corporate Accounting and Financial Management
Group 2	5. Capital Market and Securities Laws 6. Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws 7. Tax Laws and Practice

Professional Programme papers

Group	Papers
Group 1	1. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) – Principles and Practice 2. Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances 3. Compliance Management, Audit and Due Diligence 4. Elective 1: one of CSR and Social Governance; Internal and Forensic Audit; Intellectual Property Rights – Law and Practice; Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security – Laws and Practice; Advanced Direct Tax Laws and Practice
Group 2	5. Strategic Management and Corporate Finance 6. Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency 7. Elective 2: one of Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation; GST and Corporate Tax Planning; Labour Laws and Practice; Banking and Insurance – Laws and Practice; Insolvency and Bankruptcy – Law and Practice

The list of electives is revised by ICSI from time to time. Choose electives that match the area you want to work in: for example, IPR for trademark and brand work, insolvency for restructuring practice, or GST and tax planning for compliance practice.

Other requirements during the course

• A pre-examination test before enrolling for the Executive and Professional examinations
• Orientation and skill development programmes prescribed by ICSI
• Practical training (internship) with a company or a practising Company Secretary, in the manner and duration ICSI prescribes
• Registration for each stage is valid for a limited period, generally five years; see CS registration, cut-off dates, validity and de-novo

How long does it take?

A student who clears each stage at the first attempt, entering after graduation, can usually complete the examinations in about two to three years, followed by or alongside the training. Entering after Class 12 through CSEET takes longer, but can be done alongside a degree.

Which students do well

• Commerce and law students find many papers familiar, but students from science, engineering and arts backgrounds also complete the course successfully. See CS course for science graduates
• The papers are law-heavy; regular reading and practice of answer writing matter more than background
• Working while studying is common, especially at the Professional level

For the status of the qualification, see is CS a degree. For career paths, see career options after Company Secretary.

Frequently asked questions

Can I join the CS course after Class 12?

Yes. You can take CSEET after passing, or while appearing for, Class 12, and then register for the Executive Programme.

Do graduates have to take CSEET?

Generally no. Graduates and postgraduates can enter the Executive Programme directly, subject to ICSI’s conditions and a CSEET exemption fee.

How many papers are there in total?

Under the current syllabus, seven papers at the Executive level and seven at the Professional level, including two electives, after CSEET.

Is there a practical training requirement?

Yes. Practical training and skill programmes as prescribed by ICSI must be completed before applying for membership.

ചുരുക്കം (Summary in Malayalam)

ICSI നടത്തുന്ന Company Secretary കോഴ്സിന് മൂന്ന് ഘട്ടങ്ങൾ: CSEET, Executive Programme, Professional Programme. ബിരുദധാരികൾക്ക് CSEET ഇല്ലാതെ നേരിട്ട് Executive-ൽ ചേരാം. Executive-ൽ രണ്ട് ഗ്രൂപ്പുകളിലായി 7 പേപ്പറുകൾ; Professional-ൽ രണ്ട് electives ഉൾപ്പെടെ 7 പേപ്പറുകൾ. പരീക്ഷകൾക്ക് പുറമേ pre-examination test, orientation, skill programmes, practical training എന്നിവ പൂർത്തിയാക്കിയ ശേഷം ACS അംഗത്വത്തിന് അപേക്ഷിക്കാം. ഫീസ്, തീയതികൾ എന്നിവയ്ക്കായി ICSI വെബ്സൈറ്റ് പരിശോധിക്കുക.

This article gives a general overview of the Company Secretary course under the syllabus currently notified by ICSI. Papers, electives, fees, dates and training requirements are revised by ICSI from time to time; for accurate and current information, refer to the ICSI website and notifications. The article is not advice on any particular case.