What is Company Secretary: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Salary & Scope

The Company Secretary (CS) course is divided into 3 levels  - Foundation, Executive, and Professional. There are four core subjects in the Company Secretary Foundation course. The Executive programme has two core modules and the Company Secretary Professional level has three modules. A Company Secretary's responsibilities include advising the board and ensuring that the company is legally compliant.

The course is for three years. The CS course is divided into three levels:

• Foundation Programme
• Executive Programme
• Professional Programme

Yes, CS is a good career option. A certified CS can join finance, accounting and auditing firms which offer services to big organisations and multinational companies or they can start individual practice. They are also in charge of lowering the firm's administrative load and corporate governance, which would otherwise fall to the company directors.

It is tough for a freshly established firm or organisation to manage all administrative needs in addition to its day-to-day operations. As a result, it is critical in carrying out all of these company processes properly and effectively.

Hope this helps!!

CA's typically have a higher earning potential because of their role in auditing, financial management, and taxation. But CS professionals can also earn pretty much good specially in big corporations with complex compliance needs. 

ICSI allows candidates to register in the CA Intermediate course through two routes. One is the direct entry route; and the other is the Foundation/CSEET route.

Candidates who have completed B.Com course can take direct admission to the CS Executive course. To get CS certification, such candidates have to pass Executive and Professional levels to get CS certification.

Yeah, it is totally possible to pursue a Company Secretary course with any full-time job. This will basically need some amount of planning and sufficient time that is devoted to it. 

Look into online learning platforms, weekend classes, or self-study materials with flexible hours that can be adjusted according to your schedule.
The below mentioned tips can help you in balancing your studies for a company secretary course with a full-time job -

• Flexible study options: Do a course where you could have a say on the type of study to enroll in. The good news is that most professional bodies and universities that offer CS programs are also offering either part-time or distance learning.
• Weekend or Evening Classes: Search for classes that are conducted on weekends or evenings. This will help you in balancing your attending classes without having to miss work during the standard hours of the day.
• Online Education: Discuss distance learning or online classes that allow self-paced working.

The expertise and knowledge of company secretaries (CS) is in demand in various areas such as corporate law boards, various government agencies, and the Department of Company Affairs. So the candidate who has completed 12th class can register with ICSI to attempt the exams and start a career as a CS.

Eligibility Criteria for CSEET Exam is that the Students need to have passed Class 12th conducted by the Central Government or State Government or equivalent. 

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The Common University Entrance Test also known as CUET is not compulsory for Company Secretary courses in India. 

The CS Executive Programme needs the CSEET, with exemptions for graduates and postgraduates.

CUET is made for university admissions, while CS is a professional course that is offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). Therefore, focusing on preparing for and passing the CSEET is recommended. 

ICSI conducts Company Secretary examination for the below mentioned levels -

Level 1: Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET)

ICSI CSEET examination is conducted in four times in a year: January, May, July and November.

Level 2: CS Executive Examination

ICSI CS Executive examination is conducted twice in a year: June and December.

Level 3: CS Professional Examination

ICSI CS Profesional examination is conducted twice in a year: June and December.

Candidates preparing for the CS Executive examination (Old or New syllabus) must check the CS Execvutive syllabus before beginning with their preparation.

ICSI CS Executive Syllabus (Under New Syllabus 2022)

 ICSI CS Executive Old Syllabus (under 2017)

ICSI CS exam pattern mentions the exam duration, subjects, marking scheme, exam name, and medium of the examination to the candidates appearing for the exam. Candidates appearing for the CS Executive or CS Professional examination must check the exam pattern to become aware about the examination. Check the table below to know the ICSI CS exam pattern highlights:

CS Executive examination for June 2026 session will be held in offline mode. Candidates will have to report to the alloted exam centre on the day of exam day. Candidates will be able to know the alloted exam centre when the admit card is released. The ICSI CS Executive exam will be held across India. Candidates will be able to choose the preferred CS Executive exam city while filling the application form. Candidates must carefull read the exam day instructions mentioned on the admit card. Test takers failing to adhere by the instructions will be disqualified.

The Company Secretary courses include subjects like Economics, Statistics, Advanced Tax, and Accounting, for which basic knowledge of mathematics and statistics is required. As CS includes Management Accounting as an important subject, it will be good if the candidates possess numerical knowledge.

Company Secretary course is a three-year study that prepares students to handle the legal aspects of an organisation or a firm, such as bookkeeping and tax reports. The Company Secretary is directly involved in the strategic discussion and decision making of a firm, ensuring that all actions are in conformity with legal, ethical, and regulatory criteria.

No, candidates cannot pursue CS and CA courses all together. Candidates need to pursue one course at a time as both the courses are highly demanding and very much time taking. 

CAs typically conduct high-level accounting and auditing tasks in companies and CA firms, whereas CSs focus on corporate law and execute corporate compliance activities for large corporations.

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

There are about 10+ CS colleges in India. Of these, Delhi and Pune have the maximum number of CS colleges in India. See the table below showing cities having major colleges:

There are about 10+ best CS colleges in India. Of these, 3 colleges are privately owned. The admission process is primarily based on merit. CS courses in India are offered in full-time, part-time and distance correspondence modes.

Some of the top CS colleges in India include Navkar Institute, ICSI Delhi - Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Elite IIT, ATM Global Business School (ATM-GBS), Commerce and Management Delhi, Good Shepherd Professional Academy, Academy of Commerce, Toppers Institute, and many others.

The table below shows the distance Company Secretary colleges in Bangalore along with their total tuition fees:

Yes, CS is a good career option. A certified CS can join finance, accounting and auditing firms which offer services to big organisations and multinational companies or they can start individual practice. They are also in charge of lowering the firm's administrative load and corporate governance, which would otherwise fall to the company directors.

It is tough for a freshly established firm or organisation to manage all administrative needs in addition to its day-to-day operations. As a result, it is critical in carrying out all of these company processes properly and effectively.

Hope this helps!!

The position of company secretary is quite prestigious and offers very competitive pay scales. It's something that makes you stand out from the crowd and is equally difficult in terms of training and homework. A business secretary is now required in practically every industry. They are in great and increasing demand.

A corporate or Company secretary is in charge of shareholder administration and communication, as well as corporate governance and legislative compliance. The CS course, or Company Secretary course, is specifically created for students with business experience. This course, however, is open to students from any field who have completed their 12 requirements.

The training to become a Company Secretary (CS) is offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. The education is provided via remote learning, and with the establishment of this programme emerged the profession of Company Secretary (CS).

 A Company secretary's remuneration in various areas is adequate. Being a company secretary is one of the most accountable and visible professional jobs, putting a lot of pressure on CS to achieve results at whatever cost. As a result, corporation secretaries earn a high average income.

The starting salary of a Company Secretary is INR 3 Lacs per annum and INR 6 Lacs per annum for mid-level entry. These professionals can earn more with experience and an increase in the number of clients and reputation.

Company Secretary and Accounting are the two specialisations offered by Company Secretary Institute in India. The table below shows the specialisations offered by the number of colleges:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website.

The key things you should know in the beginning for a smooth and successful journey are mentioned below for your reference -

• Attention to detail: A CS needs to be accurate since they work with the legal and financial regulations. So, train your eye for details.
• Sharp communication skills: A CS requires brilliant verbal and written communication for effective interaction with stakeholders, drafting reports, and making presentations.
• Time management and organizational skills: Study, examinations and an internship if you have any, require good time management and organizational skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: You will come across very much tricky legal and financial situations. Learn to analyze and seek solutions and move out of the problems efficiently.
• The course structure: You should know that the CS course has three stages: Foundation, Executive, and Professional Examination. From the curriculum, try to grasp the pattern of examinations and their duration at each stage.

According to the search results, Integrated Company Secretary (Executive + Professional) is mostly considered better than Company Secretaryship at ICSI Delhi. Company Secretary (Executive + Professional) is basically a combination of Executive and Professional programs, offers a thorough understanding of the subject. Compared to Company Secretaryship, which is a stand-alone curriculum, this course is more advanced.

According to the Integrated Company Secretary (Executive + Professional), this is a preferable choice because it offers more comprehensive knowledge and greater employment prospects. 

Furthermore, ICSI Delhi has a stellar placement history and has drawn attention from reputable employers as KPMG India, PwC, Deloitte, and EY for hiring. Thus, it may be said that company secretaryship at ICSI Delhi is inferior to integrated company secretaryship (executive + professional).

Multiple degrees, such as CA CS and CMA are undoubtedly beneficial. It will undoubtedly benefit you, especially if you work in corporate. Personally, I believe that learning broadens your perspective. What's more crucial, though, is that you be able to use your knowledge in the workplace. Even having a large number of qualifications won't help you if it's not possible.

The decision to pursue these three degrees should entirely be driven by your passion for developing into a strong professional and your desire to learn more and more, not by Mr. X's possession of these degrees and his high salary. Undoubtedly, someone's large bundle motivates us to want that, but we should also be interested in how he attained these credentials and what aspects of his background make him so significant as to warrant such a large deal.

Candidates who have completed BCom course can take direct admission to the CS Executive course.

To get CS certification, such candidates have to pass Executive and Professional levels to get CS certification. They are not required to give a CS Foundation exam

CS is not provide by any colleges.

It is provided by a foundation names icsi. If you want to study CS then you have to first clear the entrance exam of ICSi.

Yes, you can pursue B.Com along with a Company Secretary course through DU SOL. It is good as the brand of Delhi University. For SOL you have to go just for exam .

It is a good strategy to pursue B.Com distance from branded college and focus CS.

Also you can explore about -

• LL.B after B.Com from DU / Jamia

• CUET

• CAT

It can be a good long term strategy to make a career in teaching ( after M.Com / MBA).

Yes, many people start the CS course at a later age in life and have very successful careers as Company Secretaries. Your age should not deter you, provided you have the necessary passion and dedication.

You already have a base in some of the relevant subjects, such as economics, business environment, communication, etc., because of your work experience. This can actually work to your advantage in the Foundation and Executive levels of the course.

Hope this helps!!!

The difficulty level of ICSI CS Executive or CS Professional examination may vary. The difficltuly level varies depending upon the preparation level of candidate. CS Executive is the secomd level of CS course. CS Executive is the second level of the CS course. The CS Executive course is divided into two groups consisting of four and three papers whereas, CS Professional course is dicided into two groups along with two elective papers.

Additionally, CS Professional course includes practical training wherein students gain hands on experience of CS practices. This practical training along woth the theoretical studies adds to the difficulty level of the Professional course in general.

To take the CS Executive Examinations, candidates must pass this pre-examination test & ODOP Before requesting exam enrollment, the Pre-Examination Test for the CS Executive programme must be passed with a passing score.

The registration for company secretary executive is for students who pass the Company Secretary Executive entrance test.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) conducts the CS exam, this exam there is a level based there have three levels:

1. company secretary executive entrance test (CSEET)
2. Executive
3. Professional

CS Exam eligibility candidates must have passed CSEET and at least 17 years old

If your registering through the CS foundation programme or direct admission as a graduate or post-graduate the total fee would be approximately 17k which includes the registration fee, education fee, pre-exam test fee, one-day orientation programme fee, chartered secretary journal subscription which is optional.

Hi, Yes, It is possible to do both the course at the same time. And I will suggest you do an Online MBA with your CS Course Because a regular MBA required a lot of study and time.

If you will do an Online MBA, then you can channelize your efforts to crack the CS exam.

Yes, CS is a good career option. A certified CS can join finance, accounting, and auditing firms which offer services to big organisations and multinational companies or they can start individual practice. They are also in charge of lowering the firm's administrative load and corporate governance, which would otherwise fall to the company directors.

It is tough for a freshly established firm or organisation to manage all administrative needs in addition to its day-to-day operations. As a result, it is critical in carrying out all of these company processes properly and effectively.

Hope this helps!!!