The CS course is a professional course that is conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) twice a year, where CS stands for Company Secretary. The CS is an important member of a firm, handling the strategy and decision-making process of the company and ensuring that all its operations are according to law, ethics, and regulations.

The CS course involves studying various subjects such as corporate law, tax laws, company finance, governance, and ethics. A CS course generally comprises several stages of exams, along with practical training, to equip candidates for the intricate roles they will encounter within a corporate scenario.

To be eligible for the CS course, a candidate needs to pass class 12 as a minimum qualification. Generally, CS has three stages in the foundation level (replaced by CSEET), the executive level, and the professional level. Admission to the CS course is open throughout the year, while the CS exam is conducted twice a year. The CS course lasts 8 months for CS Foundation, 9 months for CS Executive, and 15 months for CS Professional levels.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) controls and keeps the profession of the company secretaries. ICSI provides training and education to millions of people, including the secretaries of the company. Currently, ICSI rolls have over 65,000 members and around 250,000 students.

Company Secretary Highlights 

For someone with the right inspiration, the job chances for the company secretary course are very high. CS is a highly assumed career option in accounting and professional fields. The company's secretary syllabus includes the rights of the stock exchange, corporate affairs, financial auditing industries, legal boards, and the right to have authority over government officials.

Interested students can read to know the complete information about the CS course details:

How to Become a Company Secretary?

• Eligibility for a company secretary is a senior secondary examination (10+2).
• Candidates who pass in science, commerce, and art streams (except fine arts) are eligible for admission. 
• The duration of the Company Secretary course is 8 months; it takes 9 months for CS Foundation, 12 months for CS Executive, and 15 months for CS Professional. The CSEET exam has changed the CS Foundation Examination. Students who want to pursue the company secretary syllabus after graduation are exempted from taking CSEET.

In the table below, we have mentioned the stages of becoming a company secretary in a simple format:

Company Secretary Eligibility Criteria 2025

To become a company secretary (CS), you need to meet some eligibility criteria set by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). Here is a simple breakdown: 

1. After 12th grade: If you have completed your 12th grade (except any section except fine arts), you are eligible to register for CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Admission Test), which is the first step in the CS course.

2. CS Eligibility Criteria (UG and PG): If you have already completed your undergraduate or postgraduate degree (in any discipline except fine arts), you can leave CSEET and get direct admission to the CS Executive Program. 

There is no age limit, and students of any educational background (except fine arts) can apply. This flexible eligibility makes the CS syllabus accessible to a wide range of aspirations.

Admission Process for Company Secretary 2025

The CS admission process is different for all 3 levels. 

• The first step in the CS admission process is registration for the CSEET exam. Candidates need to fill out the online application and pay the related fee before the time limit. After approving the candidate's application, the course material will be sent. 

• Next, students must clean the CSEET, which is held 4 times a year. Whereas, CS Executive and CS professional-level examinations are held twice a year in June and December. 

The duration of the company secretary syllabus is usually between 3 and 5 years, which depends on the time taken by the students to complete their examination.

CS Course Fees 

The company secretary (CS) syllabus, introduced by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), has three levels: CSEET, CS Executive, and CS Professional. The fees for each stage are structured as follows:

1. CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test) Fees 

Registration Fee: Rs. 2000/- (including CSEET Guides 1 and 2 per student); optional CSEET classes advance fee: Rs. 1000/- (payable to ICSI's regional/chapter offices at the time of registration).

2. CS Executive Level Fees

Students who have passed the CSEET, CS Foundation Program, or are eligible for direct admission (Graduate, postgraduate, ICAI final, or ICMAI Final) need to pay the following fees:

3. CS Professional Level Fees 

Candidates passing the CS Executive Program will have to pay the following fee:

Note: It must be noted here that candidates have to pay an additional late fee of INR 250 if they delay registering on the given due date. These fees and dates are to be kept in sight at all costs for a smoother and more timely running of the Company Secretary Course.

Concession in CSEET Registration Fees 2025

The concessions in the CSEET registration fee are applied as mentioned in the table below:

CS Course Duration 

The Company Secretary (CS) course is divided into three levels, each with its own period. Here is a detailed look at the CS course duration for each level of the CS course:

1. CS Executive Entrance Gate (CSEET): 

• Duration: The CSEET exam is usually held four times in one year (January, May, July, and November), and it is mandatory for admission to the CS Executive Program.

• Preparation Time: Generally, students take 3-4 months to prepare for the CSEET exam. 

2. CS Executive Program:

• Duration: After passing CSEET or after having a discount (undergraduate/postgraduate), the CS executive program usually takes 9–12 months to complete. 

• Examination: Students can appear for the exam twice in the year (June and December sessions).

3. CS professional program:

• Duration: After completing the CS Executive Program, the CS professional program takes about 12–15 months to complete. Examination: Similar to the executive program, the examination is held twice a year (June and December). 

Total duration: For a student starting at the CSEET level and progressing through the CS Executive and CS Professional levels, the total duration of the CS course can be between 2.5 and 3 years, based on the examination schedule and the speed of the student's preparation.

Company Secretary Training 

Company Secretary (CS) training is an important component of the CS syllabus. The training structure includes several stages, such as the One Day Orientation Program (ODOP), the Executive Development Program (EDP), the 21-month practical training, and the management skill orientation program (MSOP). See them in detail below.

Overview  of ICSI CS Syllabus 2025

The ICSI CS course is divided into three main levels, each building necessary legal, managerial, and compliance skills. All papers to reflect contemporary corporate rules, business laws, and accounting standards are revised from time to time. Staying updated on these modules helps to avoid chronic content and aligns with current professional requirements.

Roles and Responsibilities for the Company Secretary 

The roles and responsibilities of a company secretary are as follows: 

• The company's secretaries work as compliance officers and guides for in-house legal experts. 
• They serve as the Chief Advisers of the Board of Directors on Corporate Administration Affairs. 
• A company secretary is a specialist in corporate law, capital markets, and securities law. 
• They are responsible for ensuring the regulatory compliance of the organization.
• The company's secretaries also play an important role in corporate planning and act as strategic managers.

Career Opportunities After CS 

A Company Secretary, similar to a Chartered Accountant, is a significant contributor to the services of businesses of any magnitude, whether they are private or public. A CS is necessary for dealing with prevalent tax, legal, and investment issues. While some companies may employ their own CS, others use Company Secretary agencies.

Trained company secretaries are in demand across different industries such as finance, banking, heavy industry, and government institutions. Below are some of the job roles that company secretary graduates may perform.

• Chief Administrative Officer: They look at the general administrative activity made by the company, and all secret documents related to the legal and other requirements of a company are preserved under their strict observation. 
• Corporate Planner: They ensure the company's potential growth and plan, as well as mergers, combined enterprises, and alignments within and outside of the firm. 
• Legal Advisor: They become representatives of the company for any legal problems and ensure that the company follows all bureaucratic as well as legislative requirements and securities, and corporate rules. 
• Business Advisor: Business advisors manage marketing, management, finance, human resources, and accounting. He is in charge of improving many of the company's functions. They evaluate several flaws of a company and recommend business treatment.
• Corporate Policy Creator: They form short- and long-term corporate policies of the organization. They regularly guide the organization during a review of current policies. 
• Managing Director: They run the company's entire business operations, including people's activities and legal matters, including the attainment of the best from the organization. 
• Director/Member of the Board of Directors: He provides secretarial and expert advice to one of the members of the board of directors of the company.

Company Secretary Salary 

Independent Company Secretaries are hired by some firms, while services from specialized firms are opted for by others. A company secretary with the necessary qualifications can pursue employment opportunities across different industries, such as financial institutions, banks, heavy industries, and government bodies. Some possible job roles are available for candidates. The table below represents the job roles with CS salaries in India.

Top Recruiters for Company Secretary in 2025 

Some of the top recruiters hiring CS are mentioned:

• KPMG
• Deloitte
• ONGC
• HCL Technologies Ltd.
• Jaypee Group
• Punjab National Bank
• DPNC Global LLP
• Caddy Ventures LLP
• JK Sarawgi & Company
• PMS Consulting
• Wipro
• Accenture
• Jaikumar Tejwani & Co.
• ICICI Bank
• Ministry of Commerce, Government of India
• Air India
• Amazon

Why Study Company Secretary in 2025?

Studying to be the company's secretary (CS) in 2025 remains a strong career option due to corporate governance, compliance, and the extended role of CS professionals in various fields. A CS qualification provides diverse career paths, global recognition, and attractive salary potential.

• Strong Career Stability and Accreditation: CS professionals are classified as key managerial staff under the Companies Act, which grants them a stable and respectable place in the corporate hierarchy.

• Opportunities in various fields: From private companies and start-ups to listed entities and government departments, CS professionals are needed in industries for regulatory assistance, secretarial audits, and legal compliance.

• Extension of global applicability: With globalization and the global expansion of Indian businesses, understanding global regulations and international compliance frameworks adds a broader canvas for CS's profession globally.

Why Choose CS Exam Test Series for CS Preparation 

When it comes to preparing for the hard CS exams, choosing the right test series can make all the difference. csexams.in has emerged as a trusted and result-oriented platform for CSEET, Executive, and Professional-level aspirants. Here's why it should be your first choice:

• Trusted by Thousands of CS Aspirants: The CS Exam has built a strong reputation among CS students for its consistent quality and excellent student feedback.
• ICSI Pattern-Based Question Papers: All tests are strictly based on the latest ICSI exam pattern and syllabus, ensuring real exam-like practice.
• Timely Evaluation with Expert Feedback: Get your answers evaluated within 48–72 hours along with detailed feedback, a marking scheme, and improvement tips.
• Personalized Mentorship & Study Planner: Get personalized mentorship, performance tracking, and a daily study plan customized to your syllabus completion pace.