Company Secretary Eligibility 2025, Check CS Executive & Professional Requirements

Company Secretary eligibility is set by the ICSI; check the details about the requirements for CS executive and professional levels. You must have completed 10+2 or its equivalent.

ICSI has established the company secretary eligibility criteria for 2025, which covers educational prerequisites, career advancement, and important admission exams. Check the Executive and Professional Program's CS Eligibility Requirements here. 

CS Foundation eligibility requires completing the class 12 boards. CS Executive is open to students who have finished CS Foundation. In addition, students who have graduated may apply for the position of CS Executive. Students who have finished CS Executive can proceed to CS Professional. 

Company Secretary Course Details 

There are three stages in the company secretary program. The initial stage is CS Foundation, then comes the stage of CS Executive, and then there is CS Professional. Any one of them has to be passed to be eligible as a company secretary.

Parameters For CS Foundation For CS Executive For CS Professional
Course Level First Second Third
Course Duration 8 months 9 months 15 months
Eligibility Passed 10+2 in any stream (except Fine Arts) After graduation or Post-graduation (except Fine Arts) should have either cleared CS Foundation or CSEET After qualifying CS Executive Exam
No. of Subjects 4 subjects 8 subjects (in two modules with 4 subjects in each module) 9 subjects (in three modules with 3 subjects in each module)
Exam Twice a year (June and December) Twice a year (June and December) Twice a year (June and December)
Course Fee INR 4500 INR 10600 to INR 15600 INR 12000
Exam Fee INR 1200 INR 1200 for each module INR 1200 for each module
Top Institute for CS course The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (I.C.S.I) The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (I.C.S.I) The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (I.C.S.I)

Enroll Now for CS Courses

CS Eligibility Criteria for 2025

To become a company secretary (CS), the candidates must satisfy some CS eligibility criteria:

Educational Requirements
The candidates must clear three levels: foundation, intermediate, and final. To enroll for the CS course, they should have passed class 10+2 in any subject except fine arts from a recognized board. Then they may register for the CSEET.

Duration of Courses
In India, the CS course usually takes 3 to 5 years, split into executive and professional levels.

Progression
Candidates can proceed to the next one after finishing one level. For example, after CSEET, they can join the Executive Program.

Eligibility from Other Courses
Other candidates who have completed some other courses, such as Chartered Accountancy or Cost Accountancy, are also eligible for admission to the CS Executive level.

Final Step
After finishing the required coursework and all levels, candidates can work as company secretaries.

CS Eligibility Criteria for 2025 (UG & PG)

CS eligibility criteria significantly influence who would be eligible for a company secretary (CS) career. The requirements involve the educational history and formal educational qualifications for all levels of progression in the CS course. Keep in mind that the eligibility criterion varies for both the executive level and the professional level of the program. Let us discuss the details:

CS Executive Program 
In order to pursue the path to becoming a company secretary at the CS executive level, candidates are required to meet certain CS eligibility criteria. In the first place, they must have passed their secondary studies, possessing a minimum of a 12th-grade certificate in any stream or field. They must also prove their competence by clearing the Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET).

CS Professional Program 
On the successful completion of the executive stage, candidates may move on to the professional phase of the CS course. However, there are other requirements as well. Students who are applying can visit the official website of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) to determine the comprehensive CS eligibility criteria for the CS Professional course. 

One such requirement is that candidates should have enrolled for the Professional Program not less than nine months before the proposed start date of the CS Professional examination. 

Highlighting Key Entrance Exam 
Among the important entry gates into the field of company secretaryship is the Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET). This national exam, regulated by the ICSI, is taken online and offered to candidates four times a year. Lasting for 2 hours and 15 minutes, this test acts as a milestone gateway for individuals wishing to start their journey toward a rewarding career as a company secretary.

Company Secretary Requirments 

Company Secretary is one of the most difficult exams in India. It is for the position of company secretary. There are certain prerequisites to becoming a company secretary.

  • Candidates must have passed their 10+2 from a known board with a minimum of 50%.
  • The candidates must have cleared the CS Foundation Exam successfully.
  • Aspirants must have cleared the CS Executive Exam successfully.
  • The candidates should have cleared the CS Professional Exam successfully.
  • Once they pass all these three levels, the candidates must go through 15 months of on-the-job training.
  • 15 days of training in an organization like the stock exchange, the Registrar of Companies office, a banking organization, or a financial organization.
  • 15-day Management Skills Orientation Programme (MSOP)—once passed the professional program.
  • The candidates shall have to finish 25 hours of the Professional Development Program (PDP).
  • Once the CS Professional Program is cleared, the student can register as a licensed ICSI until training requirements are completed.

CS Exam Preparation Tips 

Strategic planning, commitment, and perseverance are necessary for Company Secretary (CS) exam preparation. The following professional advice can help you ace the CS exam:

  • Understand the Syllabus: Start by going through the exam syllabus to identify key topics. Knowing what to focus on will help you allocate your study time efficiently.
     
  • Create a Study Plan: Organize your study schedule to cover all topics systematically. Allocate more time to challenging areas while ensuring you review all subjects before the exam.
     
  • Master the Fundamentals: Strong foundational knowledge in programming concepts, data structures, and algorithms is essential. Reviewlecture notes, textbooks, and online resources to strengthen your understanding.
     
  • Practice Coding Regularly: Solve coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, CodeChef, and HackerRank. This will improve problem-solving skills and help you write efficient code under time constraints.
     
  • Review Previous Exam Papers: Practicing past exam questions gives you an idea of the question format and helps in time management. Try solving them under exam conditions for better preparation.
     
  • Engage in Group Discussions: Studying with peers can help clarify doubts, provide different perspectives, and reinforce learning through discussions and problem-solving.

Conclusion 

In summary, the eligibility criteria for Company Secretary (CS) are aimed at making sure that candidates have the qualifications, skills, and knowledge to perform well in the position. By fulfilling the eligibility criteria, candidates can embark on a successful career as a Company Secretary, performing a crucial function in corporate governance, compliance, and administration.

FAQs

What is qualification for company secretary?

To become a Company Secretary (CS) in India, one has to pass 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized university. One can also join the executive program if one is a graduate in any stream.

What is the eligibility for CS?

You must have passed your 10+2 (or equivalent) exam in any stream—with the exception of fine arts—from an accredited board in order to be eligible for the Company Secretary (CS) course.

Can CS be done in 2 years?

No, it is not possible to finish the Company Secretary (CS) course within two years because of the obligatory practical training of 21 months, which is a considerable amount of time out of the total duration of the course.

What is a CS salary?

In India, Company Secretary's (CS) pay is depending upon experience between ₹3-4 lakhs yearly for entry-level to ₹17.2 lakhs and more for an experienced professional with the average between ₹6.2 lakhs annually.

Is CS hard to study?

Yes, studying to become a company secretary (CS) is considered a challenging but achievable path, requiring dedication and a strong understanding of corporate laws and regulations.

Can I do CS without coaching?

Yes, clearing the Company Secretary (CS) exams without coaching is possible, but one has to adopt a structured self-study pattern, dedication, and discipline, as well as making use of quality resources and having a well-designed plan.

Is CS a good career?

CS is a very dignified profession in India with legal accountability. As a CS in Employment, you will be ensuring that a company is running within legal and regulatory guidelines. You will be the point of contact for the Board of Directors, guiding them on governance, compliance, and ethics

How many years for CS?

The Company Secretary (CS) course, which prepares one to deal with the legal functions of a company, usually takes 3-4 years to finish, depending on the speed of the student and whether they opt for practical training in addition to the academic levels.

Who is eligible for CS?

To be able to take up the Company Secretary (CS) course, you must have cleared Class 12th (or equivalent) from a recognized university or board, and those possessing a degree (other than Fine Arts) are eligible to enroll directly in the Executive Program.

Is CS in high demand?

Studying a career as a Company Secretary (CS) can be a highly rewarding choice, with strong demand and diverse opportunities in corporate governance, legal compliance, and advisory services. This profession offers a promising trajectory for growth and advancement in both the corporate and legal sectors.