Thinking of a CS (Company Secretary) course? Exploring corporate laws and governance is a promising career move. Wondering about the time commitment? Well, the CS course duration depends on your desired level and path.

Let us simplify for you. In this article, we will explore the phases of CS courses and the determinants that influence the time involved. Keep reading for further details on the duration of the CS course in India. 

The Company Secretary (CS) course is a professional course that equips one to become a useful guide to companies in matters of law, finance, and governance. Certified company secretaries oversee the legal side of a business, performing duties such as tax returns, record-keeping, and providing financial guidance to the board of directors. They make sure the company adheres to all legal requirements.

CS Course duration is 3 years. The entire course can be divided into 3 levels. The initial level of CS Foundation can be completed within 8 months. CS Executive is the second level and is completed in 9 months. The last level of the CS course is the CS Professional and is completed within 15 months.

CS Foundation consists of 4 papers, which include Business Law and Environment, Business Management, Ethics, and Entrepreneurship, Business Economics, Accounting, and Auditing. CS Executive consists of 8 subjects split over 2 modules. CS Professional 8 subjects are split over 3 modules, and an elective subject is 1.

There are more than 65,000 members and around 250,000 students enrolled with ICSI at present. There have been modifications in the exam pattern, where students can bypass the CS Foundation exam and go for the CSEET exam directly. Graduates who want to pursue the Company Secretary Course can also bypass CSEET. 

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CA Course Details: Highlights 

For one with the proper motivation, career opportunities for the company secretaryship course are relatively high. CS is a widely sought-after profession in the fields of accounting and business. The Company Secretaryship course involves the acquisition of rights over the stock exchange, corporate affairs divisions, financial auditing industries, legal boards, or governmental authorities. Eager students may proceed to read to learn about the entire CS course details:

ICSI CS Course Three Levels

The CS (Company Secretary) course is revealed in three separate levels, each suited for different expertise:

• CS Foundation Course: This is the starting point. Designed for beginners in company secretarial practice, it provides the foundation for learning the basics.
• CS Executive: Moving to the intermediate level, this level thoroughly discusses different dimensions of corporate laws and practices. It goes in-depth, making a more sophisticated understanding.
• CS Professional: The final level of the CS path, this one is geared toward advanced learning. Concentrating on specialized subjects and real-world applications sharpens your skills to the highest degree in the field.

Stages to Become a Company Secretary

Below, we've outlined the step-by-step process to become a company secretary in a concise table format for easy reference.

CS Course Duration

The CS course duration is usually three years. It provides an understanding and knowledge of the law of the company, tax filings, and the maintenance of compliance by the company of all legal terms. Because it is a professional course, it has predominantly three phases to pursue it. All phases have their duration, and those are described below.

CS Foundation Level Duration 

The Company Secretary Foundation course is the first step of all three steps in the process of becoming a CS. It takes 8 months of time to complete the CS Foundation course. Four subjects are taught during these 8 months. These courses include Business Environment and Law, Business Management, Ethics & Entrepreneurship, Business Economics, and Fundamentals of Accounting and Auditing. 

CS Excutive Level Duration 

The duration of Company Secretary Executive course is 9 months. Eight subjects are available in the CS Executive course. These are jurisprudence, interpretation & general laws, corporate & management accounting, setting up of business entities and closure, company law, tax laws, securities laws & capital markets, financial and strategic management, and economic, business, and commercial laws. The whole syllabus is around 9 months.

CS Professional Level Duration

The Company Secretary Professional course lasts for 15 months. There are nine subjects in the CS Professional course. 8 out of 9 subjects are compulsory, and 1 is an elective subject. These required 8 courses include Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics, Advanced Tax legislation, Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances, Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence, Corporate Rebuilding, Insolvency, Resolution of Corporate Conflicts, Liquidation and Winding-up, Non-Compliances and Cures, Corporate Financing and Listing in Stock Markets, and Multidisciplinary Case Studies.

Eligibility Criteria for CS Course 

The minimum qualification for admission to the first level (Foundation Programme or CSEET) of the Company Secretary course is to clear Class 12 in any discipline (other than Fine Arts) from a recognized university or equivalent.

All those students who wish to become a certified company secretary have to meet the provided eligibility conditions to pursue the course:

What is the Route to Become a Company Secretary?

There are three fundamental routes to becoming a company secretary, each with its own length of time:

Foundation Route (2.5 to 3 years):

• Designed for those starting from the CS Foundation.
• Plan for an all-round journey of approximately 2.5 to 3 years, depending on your performance at each exam level.

Graduation Route (2 to 2.5 years):

• Designed for graduates (not fine arts).
• Shorter than the Foundation route, usually completed in around 2 to 2.5 years.

CSEET Route (2.5 to 3 years):

• A modern entry through CSEET, replacing CS Foundation.
• Conforming to the Foundation route, this also requires about 2.5 to 3 years.

Depending on your starting point and educational experience, selecting your route allows you to choose the length of your computer science study.

Factors Influencing CS Course Duration

The following are some of the factors affecting the ICSI CS Course Duration in 2024:

• Study Pace: Your learning rate is important. Some students zip through levels, but others need extra time for thorough preparations. It is important to be aware of your study pace.
• Success in an Exam: First-time success determines your total course length. When you require repeated attempts, it may extend the duration required to finish the CS course naturally.
• CS Professional provides flexibility in electives: Based on your selected electives, the duration of the course can change, providing an extra degree of personalization to your learning experience.
• Work Commitments: Balancing other work or responsibilities with your CS course can affect study time. Recognizing these commitments assists in establishing realistic expectations for your learning process.

CS Course Admission Process

The CS course admission process is uniquely designed for every level. The duration of the Company Secretary course ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on how quickly students pass their exams. The CSEET exam is the starting point of this learning process, which is conducted four times a year. 

Then, both the CS Executive and CS Professional exams are conducted twice a year in June and December. The application process for the company secretaryship program differs depending on the particular level in the Company Secretary course. Irrespective of the level, the first step for prospective candidates is registration. 

This involves filling out an online application and paying the relevant fee within the given deadlines. After applications are vetted and accepted, study materials are usually sent to aid in the learning process.

Company Secretary Course Registration Process

After students complete the CS Professional course, there is a need to keep their registration valid until they complete all training requirements for becoming an ICSI member. The continuation of CS registration is valid for one year and can be extended by students based on the residual training period. 

Candidates can apply for 'Continuation of Registration' for up to five years to remain flexible while obtaining the required training before joining as a full member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The process facilitates a gradual and flexible transition for future company secretaries. 

CS Course Fees

The charges for the CS course vary according to the particular level you're pursuing. To confirm your enrollment and obtain course material, applicants have to pay the charges before the given deadlines. The fee structure for the Company Secretary Course is as follows:

CS Foundation Level Fees

Admission and tuition fees are required of applicants to the Company Secretary Foundation program. The following lists the costs for the relevant course:

CS Executive Level Fees

The Company Secretary executive course has a different pricing structure than the previous one, and the overall course cost is higher under this one.

CS Professional Level Fees

Below we share the fee for the company secretary professional level. Those candidates who are preparing for the professional level can check deeply.

Concession in CSEET Registration Fees

Avail exclusive concessions on CSEET registration fees as per the following categories:

In addition, the Company Secretary Course is a well-organized academic route that provides sequential advancement through levels such as executive and professional. Through open entry possibilities and a thorough examination process, it prepares aspiring company secretaries with the necessary competencies to pursue a successful career.

Company Secretary Scope and Job Opportunities

CS professionals have a very bright career ahead of them. It is one of the highly sought-after job profiles among Commerce and Accounting graduates. Candidates can start their career after completing the course in the stock exchange, company affairs departments, financial auditing agencies, law boards, and government departments. The course of a company secretary creates different possibilities for a candidate.

A certified and trained company secretary can serve as an independent advisor to a company for loan procedures, taxation, partnerships, government licenses, registrations, etc., or become part of a company secretary firm to provide services to its clients.

Key Responsibilities of CS Include

• To maintain the records of the company, keep the tax returns of the company, and inform the Board of Directors of their compliance obligations under statutory legislation.
• A company secretary is a vital connection between the company and its board of directors, shareholders, regulatory bodies, government, and other stakeholders. 
• The role involves ensuring that the procedures are implemented and reviewed periodically. It also involves advising the Chairman and the Directors in respect of their responsibilities under the different laws.
• Advising on good governance and norms compliance as per the provisions under various Corporate, Securities, and other Business laws, regulations, and guidelines made thereunder
• The company secretary also helps prepare a corporate and social sustainability framework.

CA Job Profile

Just like how a Chartered Accountant is important for businesses, a Company Secretary is also important, regardless of whether the business is small or big, government-owned or private. Every business requires a company secretary to look after tax, legal, and investment affairs regularly. Some firms employ individual company secretaries, while others take services from specialized companies. 

A company secretary with proper qualifications may be offered jobs in any sector, such as financial institutions, banks, heavy industry, and government organizations. Some job profiles that can be opted for after getting the Company Secretary course are mentioned hereunder:

Summary of the Content

In conclusion, the CS course duration is a critical aspect of the company secretaryship program. With a minimum duration of 2-3 years for the Executive Program and 1-2 years for the Professional Program, students can plan their academic and professional journey accordingly, leading to a successful career as a Company Secretary.