The Company Secretaryship which is also known as CS, is a well-known professional course for business management, company law, governance and compliance. This course is for people who want to work as business lawyers and strategy advisers. It covers things like ethics, corporate law, company accounts, tax laws and secretarial checks. It is one of the most sought-after non-engineering jobs in India for people who want to work in business or law. The course can be taken at a distance and comes with strong scholarly help.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is the only institute that is authorised by law to give and oversee the CS training. ICSI was created by the Company Secretaries Act of 1980 and works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It makes sure that all over the country, the same syllabus and exams are used.
It has been found that every year more than 65,000 people in India sign up to study CS. Their fees vary for each level, but most of the time, they are between INR 4,000 to INR 50,000. Also, the whole course, including training and test fees, costs between INR 50,000 to INR 1,000,000. It is a skilled qualification that is easy to get and holds its value over time.
Table of Contents
- Company Secretary (CS) Key Highlights
- What is a Company Secretary (CS)?
- Why Study CS?
- Who should study CS?
- CS Eligibility Criteria
- Company Secretary (CS) Entrance Exams 2025
- Company Secretary (CS) Colleges in India
- CS Admission Process 2025
- Company Secretary (CS) Syllabus
- CA Vs. CS Course Comparison
- Company Secretary (CS) Job Opportunities in India
- Company Secretary (CS) FAQs
Company Secretary (CS) Key Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the CS course in India:
What is a Company Secretary (CS)?
A company secretary (CS) helps a business with legal problems, makes sure they follow the rules, and gives them advice on how to run their business. Students learn a lot of different things in this course that help them with both their law and business studies. They learn about business ethics, corporate control, tax law, company law and financial and strategic management. They also learn how to write and check legal papers, run board and shareholder meetings, file statutory reports and make sure that corporate governance rules are followed. This thorough program makes sure that CS professionals are fully equipped to handle tricky compliance issues, and make good contributions to important business decisions.
This professional qualification is only provided and managed by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a government agency under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The CS school has three levels that build on each other: the CSEET (CS Executive Entrance Test), CS Executive and CS Professional. After these levels, students get hands-on training. Students learn how to write legal papers, run board meetings, file statutory reports and keep an eye on how corporations are run during the course.
Why Study CS?
Choosing the Company Secretary (CS) course can lead to rewarding jobs in business leadership, law consulting, company control and regulatory compliance. Students who are interested in business law, ethics, and strategy management will benefit the most from this school. Some of the most important things that make this course stand out are:
- Businesses in many fields need company secretaries, including those in banking, industry, IT, law firms and the public sector. Compliance is becoming more and more important to businesses, so CS workers are essential to making sure processes are legal and open.
- Compliance Officers, Legal Advisors, Company Law Experts, Corporate Planners or Governance Professionals are some of the jobs that CS graduates can get in private and public companies, law firms, international businesses and consulting firms. They are also very important for backing up board decisions, writing legal reports, and making sure that SEBI, MCA, and other authorities' rules are followed.
- The study talks about a lot of different topics, like ethics, business law, securities law, economic and commercial law and tax planning. The CS course is a good starting point for people who want to work in leadership, control, or making company policy.
- When students get their CS qualification, they learn a unique mix of legal, management, and financial skills, as well as how to make good decisions and lead others. In a time when openness, good leadership, and following the law are important for a company's growth and survival, this makes them valuable assets.
Who should study CS?
The Company Secretary (CS) school is a must for anyone interested in business law, government, making smart choices and following the law. This is the right path for people who want to make a big change in how businesses behave according to the law and morals. The following people would benefit most from this program:
- Students who want to learn more about corporate laws, company legislation, securities law and governance systems and are interested in law, business or trade.
- People who pay attention to details, like working with legal papers, contracts, and policies and want to help businesses navigate the complicated world of regulations and office duties.
- People who want to work as leaders and back top decisions by making sure proper paperwork is done and rules are followed will work closely with CEOs, CFOs and board members.
- These are the people who want to work as Company Secretaries and Corporate Advisors in corporations, law companies, government agencies or even on their own as consultants.
- Aspirants who want to work in business management, law firms, academia or public policy, ethics, or business control in the future.
CS Eligibility Criteria
Individuals in India who wish to enrol in the Company Secretary (CS) program must meet certain academic and entrance requirements. These conditions must be met in order to enrol in the study. To become a Company Secretary (CS) in 2025 one must meet these requirements:
For the CS Executive Entrance Examination (CSEET) (Foundation level):
- Those who want to apply must have a 10+2 or an equal from a recognised board in any subject (Arts, Commerce or Science).
- Provisionally applying is also possible for students who are taking their 12th board tests.
For the CS Executive Program:
They must have one of the following:
- Passed the CSEET; or
- Graduated from a recognised university with a degree in any field (except fine arts), if ICSI rules say you don't have to take the CSEET.
For CS Professional Program:
- Students can only sign up for the CS Professional level if you have already passed the CS Executive Program.
Company Secretary (CS) Entrance Exams 2025
For pursuing a Master of Company Secretary in India, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Some of the top Company Secretary entrance examinations in India are given below:
Company Secretary (CS) Colleges in India
Various institutions in India are offering a Company Secretary course. Some of the best colleges in India for Company Secretary have been mentioned below, along with their approximate course fee:
CS Admission Process 2025
To get into the Institute of Company Secretaries of India's (ICSI) for Company Secretary (CS) school, you need to take a few steps. In the following order are the CSEET, the Executive Program and the Professional Program. The first thing most people do is sign up for the CSEET 2025. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Go to the ICSI website and click on the page that says "CSEET Registration." Fill in the correct information about yourself, your school, and how to reach you. Upload the necessary files, such as a picture the size of a visa, your name, and proof of who you are.
Step 2: Use a debit card, credit card, or net banking to pay the CSEET application fee online. For general applicants, the registration fee is INR 1000, but there are discounts for some groups.
Step 3: Once you've successfully registered, get your CSEET admit card from the ICSI site before the test. ICSI gives you practice tests and study tools that you can use to get ready for the real test.
Step 4: Take the CSEET test online while someone watches from away. It tests how much you know about business relations, the law, the market, current events and the business world.
Step 5: Once the results are out, go to the ICSI website and download your CSEET score report. Sign up for the CS Executive Program if you meet the requirements.
Step 6: Use the ICSI site to sign up for the CS Executive Program. You have to pay the fee, upload your school certificates (including 10+2 and CSEET) and then pick when you want to take the test (June or December).
Step 7: If you pass both parts of the Executive Program, you can move on to the CS Professional Program. ICSI sets out standards for actual training that must be met before or after the Professional Program, depending on the case.
Required Documents:
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- UG Certificates
- ID proofs
- Transfer certificate
- Character certificate
- Medical certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
Learn More About Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Company Secretary (CS) Syllabus
The syllabus for the Company Secretary in India is separated into three levels. For reference, the syllabus for the Company Secretary at ICSI is given below:
CA Vs. CS Course Comparison
For students who are uncertain about which course to pick, here we have given a brief comparison between CA & CS to help you understand better about your options:
Click here to read more about Chartered Accountant (CA)
Company Secretary (CS) Job Opportunities in India
Company Secretary (CS) graduates can have job roles in multiple fields, including Company Secretary (CS), Assistant Company Secretary, Deputy Company Secretary, Company Secretary – Legal Counsel, Senior Company Secretary and others. Some of the common job roles for Company Secretary (CS) graduates in India are given below:
Company Secretary (CS) FAQs
What recreational activities do prospective Company Secretaries often indulge in during their free time?
Company law, tax law, corporate governance, business ethics, and compliance management are some of the things that students in the CS course learn. They get paperwork ready to be filed with the government, give businesses advice on regulatory issues, and make sure businesses do what the law says they have to do. Students learn how to help with board meetings, audits, mergers, and company paperwork through the three stages: CSEET, Executive, and Professional.
When they are pursuing the course, can CS students get training or work experience?
Yes! A big part of the CS school is getting hands-on experience. Students must do 21 months of actual training under a Company Secretary in a business, the government, or a company after finishing the Executive level or the Professional stage. In this way, students get real-life experience with following the law, business law, and company office duties.
Is it hard to pass the CS exam?
People think that the CS training is hard, especially at the Executive and Professional levels. To be successful, you need to keep studying, understand law and business ideas, and do practice tests regularly. Students usually do well on it if they are focused and know how to use their time well.
Can people with CS work in other countries?
The CS certificate is only valid in India. However, lawyers who have extra global certifications or experience in international corporate law can work for foreign companies or law firms outside of India. A lot of people take short courses in global governance or foreign corporate law to improve their chances of getting a job abroad.
