CSEET JAN 2026 Business Communication by Shubhi Srivastava Ma'am

CSEET JAN 2026 Business Communication: Business Communication is a core paper in the CSEET exam that tests a candidate’s ability to communicate clearly and professionally in a business environment. It covers basics of communication, including the process, types, and barriers to effective communication. The syllabus also includes verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, and business etiquette.

Candidates are tested on vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and common business correspondence. The subject helps future Company Secretaries develop confidence in professional communication, improve workplace interaction, and present ideas effectively in meetings, emails, and official documents.

CSEET JAN 2026 Business Communication 

CSEET January 2026 Business Communication section focuses on improving candidates’ communication skills, business correspondence, and workplace etiquette. It covers topics such as the communication process, business vocabulary, listening skills, and writing techniques. 

For a clear understanding of the syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation tips, check below in detail.

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Course Structure and Chapter Weightage

The Business Communication syllabus emphasizes key areas for competitive exams. Chapter 2: Business Communication is the most heavily weighted chapter, accounting for an expected 15 to 20 marks. Chapter 3: Business Correspondence is the second most important, with 10 to 12 marks. Grammar (Chapter 1) and Common Business Terminologies (Chapter 4) carry lower weightage.

Chapter 1: Essentials of Good English

This chapter deals with the essentials of English, including:

The 8 Parts of Speech

1. Noun: Naming word (person, place, thing, idea). Types: Common, Collective, Proper.

2. Pronoun: Replaces a noun (I, you, he, she, it, they; who, which, that; mine, yours, ours).

3. Adjective: Describes a noun/pronoun (e.g., a clever boy, six books).

4. Verb: Expresses action or state of being (runs, is beaten).

5. Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (e.g., exceptionally sharp, right behind).

6. Preposition: Shows relationship of a noun to another word (e.g., above the room).

7. Conjunction: Joins words or sentences (e.g., and, but).

8. Interjection: Expresses sudden feeling (Alas!, Oh!).

Types of Voice

• Active Voice: Subject performs the action; direct and emphatic.

• Passive Voice: Subject receives the action; indirect, often formal.

Articles (A, An, The)

• Indefinite (A, An): For non-specific, general, singular countable nouns. An is used before a vowel sound (e.g., an honest man).

• Definite (The): For specific, particular nouns; used before singular, plural, and uncountable nouns.

Tenses

Tenses indicate the time an action takes place (present, past, future).

• Present Tense:

• Simple Present: Subject + V1 + Object (habitual actions, universal truths). E.g., "I read a book."

• Present Continuous: Subject + is/am/are + V1-ing + Object (action in continuation). E.g., "I am reading a book."

• Present Perfect: Subject + has/have + V3 + Object (action started in past, continues/just finished). E.g., "I have read a book."

• Present Perfect Continuous: Subject + has/have + been + V1-ing + Object (action started in past, continued to present). E.g., "I have been reading a book."

• Past Tense: Uses V2 (Simple Past), was/were + V1-ing (Continuous), had + V3 (Perfect), had been + V1-ing (Perfect Continuous). E.g., "I jumped from the window." (Simple Past)

• Future Tense: Always uses will or shall. E.g., "I shall write."

Sentence Construction

A sentence has a Subject (performer of action), Predicate (verb and what is stated about the subject), and Object (receiver of action). A phrase is a group of words without a finite verb that doesn't make complete sense alone.

Prefixes and Suffixes

• Prefix: Word/letter placed before a root word to change meaning (e.g., **anti**body, **in**justice).

• Suffix: Word/letter placed after a root word to change meaning (e.g., capital**ize**, surprising**ly**).

Punctuation

Marks like: Space, Full Stop (.), Comma (,), Hyphen (-), Semicolon (;) (separates two independent, related clauses), Colon (:), Apostrophe ('), Quotation Marks (" "), Brackets (), Square Brackets [].

Vocabulary: Choice of Words and Types

Word choice depends on audience, context, message, and nationality/language. Use simple, familiar, short words with precise meanings; avoid jargon.

• Synonyms: Words with same/similar meanings.

• Antonyms: Words with opposite meanings.

• Homophones: Words that sound the same but have different meanings/spellings (e.g., access/excess, ate/eight).

• Homonyms: Words spelled and pronounced the same but have different meanings (e.g., band, bat, match).

Para Jumbles

Arranging jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph. The strategy involves identifying the introductory sentence, followed by contextual information, specific actions, and conclusions.

Reading Comprehension

The ability to understand and interpret written passages.

Common Business Terminologies

• Management: People running a business.

• Business: Activity of providing goods/services for financial gain.

• Marketing: Processes for promoting/selling products.

• Profit: Financial gain.

• Telecommuting: Working from home.

• Downsizing: Reducing employees to increase profitability.

• Outsourcing: Contracting functions to another company.

• R&D: Improving/developing products.

• Headquarters: Company's main administrative office.

• Market: Place/system for buying/selling goods.

Chapter 2: Business Communication

Communication is the process of exchanging messages verbally (spoken) and non-verbally (e.g., gestures). It is fundamentally a two-way process, requiring at least two individuals: a sender and a receiver.

Significance of Communication in Business:

• Base for Action: All organizational activities are initiated through information provided via communication.

• Facilitates Planning: Discussions and information gathering support effective planning and policy formulation.

• Means of Coordination: It coordinates efforts across departments and individuals.

• Aids in Decision-Making: Information gathered through communication is vital for sound decisions.

• Provides Effective Leadership: Strong communication skills are a hallmark of effective leaders, fostering trust and understanding.

• Boosts Morale and Motivation: Encouragement and clear goal communication significantly enhance employee morale.

What is Business Communication?

Business Communication involves all communication aimed at achieving business goals. It broadly includes four types:

1. Internal Upward Communication

2. Internal Downward Communication

3. Horizontal / Lateral Communication

4. External Communication

Internal Business Communication

This occurs within an organization among employees, categorized by flow:

Horizontal or Lateral Business Communication

This occurs between employees at the same hierarchical level, either inter-departmental (e.g., Production Manager with Sales Manager) or intra-departmental. Its primary purpose is to foster mutual cooperation and coordination.

External Business Communication

This involves communication between the organization and external parties, such as customers, shareholders, suppliers, or regulatory bodies. It manages public relations, sales, and stakeholder reporting.

Methods of Communication for Business

1. Verbal Communication: Uses spoken words (conversations, calls).

2. Non-verbal Communication: Conveys messages without words (body language, facial expressions, gestures).

3. Visual Communication: Uses visual aids (diagrams, charts, presentations) to convey information.

The Process of Communication

The communication process follows seven major steps:

1. Sender: Initiates the communication.

2. Encoding: Sender converts ideas into a message (words, symbols, gestures).

3. Message: The encoded information for transmission.

4. Communication Channel: The medium used to send the message.

5. Receiver: The intended recipient.

6. Decoding: Receiver interprets the message to understand its meaning.

7. Feedback: Receiver's response, indicating comprehension and reaction.

Modes of Communication: Detailed Characteristics

• Verbal (Spoken) Communication: Motivational, personal, confidential, but transient (not easily reusable) and synchronous. Often augmented by visual cues.

• Written Communication: Suitable for one-to-many distribution, structured, asynchronous, referable and durable (creates a permanent record), and ideal for detail.

• Hybrid Communication: Combines written and verbal methods (e.g., presentation with oral explanation).

• Visual Communication: Uses pictorial representations, graphs, and flowcharts for data, trends, and comparisons.

Communication Networks

A communication network describes the pattern of information flow. This is a highly important topic.

Types of Communication Networks:

1. Vertical Network: Formal flow between superior and subordinate.

2. Circuit Network: Continuous, reciprocal exchange between two individuals at the same level.

3. Chain Network: Information flows down a pre-defined chain of command. Disadvantage: high chance of miscommunication.

4. Wheel Network (or Spokes Network): All communication flows through a single central authority. Highly centralized and direct.

5. Star Network: All members can communicate freely with anyone else, fostering teamwork.

Characteristics of an Effective Communication Network / Message

Effective messages are clear, concise, concrete, and coherent. Senders should be honest, respectful, and courteous. Listeners should pay attention and seek clarification. Both parties must control their emotions.

Digital Communication

Digital Communication relies on technology.

Purpose of Communication Channels: Brand building, sales intensification, customer behavior understanding, and bridging the gap between business and audience.

Choosing a Channel: Consider budget, message nature (e.g., urgent message needs a phone call over email), and team familiarity.

 Advantages: Reduced noise impact, facilitates video/audio conferencing (saves time, money, effort), cost-effective long-term, easy error detection, easy data storage, signal security (spread spectrum technique to avoid jamming, compression, encryption).

Disadvantages: High power consumption, synchronization requirement, sampling error possibility, requires more transmission bandwidth (due to analog-to-digital conversion), potential for miscommunication if technology is misunderstood.

Essential Digital Communication Channels for Business

1. Social Media: Top channel for brand building and customer connection. 70% of consumers feel more connected if the CEO is active.

• LinkedIn: Professional networking, recruitment.

• Instagram: Showcasing lifestyle products, highly visual.

• Twitter: Sharing opinions, news, and for customer complaints.

2. Email Marketing: Powerful tool with the widest reach, considered the "currency of the web."

3. Blogs: Sharing knowledge and expertise.

4. Website: Official online presence.

5. Video: Significant for educational purposes and academic content.

Other Key Communication Channels

• External Complaint Channels: Customer reviews on platforms like Google.

• Phone Call: Fastest way for urgent information.

• In-Person Communication: Richer understanding through non-verbal cues.

• Customer Service: Addresses customer issues via email, phone, or chat.

Listening Skills

Developing good listening habits is crucial for correct information understanding.

Importance of Listening Skills:

1. Building Relationships: Fosters trust and professional relationships.

2. Learning New Skills: Essential for comprehending instructions from mentors.

3. Performing Effectively: Ensures tasks are done correctly based on directions.

Types of Listening Skills:

How to Practice Effective Listening Skills?

Limit distractions, practice objectivity, reflect (paraphrase), clarify (ask questions after the speaker finishes), summarize, use body language (nodding, eye contact), share, pace the conversation, ask meaningful questions, and recall previous information.

Barriers in Effective Listening

• Physical Barriers: External factors like noise or distance.

• Emotional Barriers: Listener's emotional state affecting interpretation.

• Psychological Barriers: Preconceived notions or biases.

• Cultural Barriers: Differences in cultural norms.

• Language Barriers: Different languages.

• Time Pressure: Rushing prevents careful listening.

• Pace of Speech: Too fast or too slow speaking.

• Monotonous Tone: Lack of vocal variation.

• Interruptions: Disrupting speaker's flow.

• Information Overload: Too much information at once.

• Prejudice/Bias: Negative opinions about the speaker.

Overcoming Barriers: Minimize distractions, listen first, paraphrase, ask clarifying questions, and listen completely before advising.

Types of Communication Barriers

• Psychological Barrier: Receiver's state of mind.

• Physical Barrier: Geographical distance.

• Physiological Barrier: Physical problems (e.g., hearing impairment).

• Language Barrier: Differences in language.

• Attitudinal Barrier: Poor attitude or feelings of superiority.

Overcoming Communication Barriers: Be aware of language/tone, consult others, communicate according to receiver's needs, ensure consistency, conduct follow-up, and obtain feedback.

Chapter 3: Business Correspondence

This chapter focuses on written communication in a business context.

The Business Letter

A business letter is a formal letter from one business entity to another, or to external parties.

• Letterhead: Printed stationery with company essential information (logo, address, CIN, contact). It acts as the face of the company.

• Reference Number: A unique code to help in retrieving a letter at a later stage. This is an important concept.

• Date: Placed on the right side, written in full (e.g., 1 June, 2019).

• Special Markings: Notations for special handling (e.g., Confidential, Registered Post).

• Inside Address: Recipient's address, must match envelope.

• Attention Line: Directs letter to a specific individual within a company.

• Salutation: Greeting to recipient (e.g., Dear Sir).

• Subject Heading: Concise statement of purpose, with first letter of each word (or entire line) capitalized.

• Body: Main content, typically in three parts: Introduction, Main Body (facts/data), Conclusion (summary/action).

Pairing Salutations with a Complementary Close

Specific pairs must be used:

Final Components of a Business Letter

• Signatory: Handwritten signature, typed name in capital letters, and designation.

• Enclosures / Copy Circulated (c.c.): Lists other recipients.

• Annexures: Lists attached documents.

Layout of a Business Letter

• Blocked Format: All elements start from the left margin, no indentation.

• Semi-Blocked Format (Modified Blocked Style): Date, conclusion, signature are right-aligned; subject/reference are centrally aligned; first line of each paragraph is indented.

Essentials of a Good Business Letter

A good letter is complete, clear, simple, accurate, brief, sincere, courteous, and reflects the writer's style.

Business Messages

It's crucial to adopt a "You" attitude (recipient-focused) over an "I/We" attitude (sender-focused).

Types of Messages:

1. Positive Message: Likely to receive a positive or neutral reaction.

2. Negative Message: Likely to cause disappointment.

3. Persuasive Message: Aims to convince the recipient.

Business Reports

A report is an orderly, objective description of an event or period, meaning "to carry back" (from Latin reportare), to aid decision-making and problem-solving.

Purpose of a Business Report: Problem-solving, historical record, conveying information (sales, costs, financial position).

Key Characteristics: Orderly and objective (fact-based).

Four Main Elements of a Business Report:

1. Executive Summary: Abstract of the report (purpose, methodology, key findings).

2. Body: Detailed section with evaluation, issues, and supporting data (tables, charts).

3. Key Findings and Recommendations: Identifies findings and provides concrete recommendations.

4. Conclusion: Sums up findings, links back to original purpose.

Inter & Intra-departmental Communication

• Inter-departmental Communication: Between two or more different departments.

• Intra-departmental Communication: Within a single department.

Forms of Written Communication:

1. Memorandum (Memo): Conveys information internally, typically to a specific person/group. Unlike a letter, it does not have an inside address, salutation, or complimentary close. Uses an informal tone.

2. Office Circular: Disseminates information to a large number of employees.

3. Office Order: Communicates decisions on employee rights/duties, always contains an order number.

4. Office Note: Exchanges notes between different departments.

MIS (Management Information System)

An MIS provides information to support decision-making at all management levels.

Postulates of MIS: Information is provided periodically, on-demand, or by exception; format is user-specified; generated from operational data; supports intelligence and implementation stages of decision-making; aids structured decisions.

Purpose of MIS: Report organizational performance, prepare future plans, control operations, allocate resources, develop databases, train recruits. (e.g., Tracking best sellers on e-commerce platforms, inventory management based on sales data).

The Three Elements of MIS:

1. Management: Art of getting work done through others.

2. Information: Processed raw data that increases knowledge.

3. System: Framework for managing information.

Management Levels and Their Information Needs

Characteristics of MIS

An MIS should be comprehensive, coordinated, integrated, transform data into information, conform to manager's style, provide relevant information, meet user-established quality criteria (timeliness, relevance, accuracy), provide feedback, offer flexibility, be modular, allow selective data sharing, and be largely computerized.

Basic Requirements of MIS

Requires Hardware, Software, Data, Procedures, and Operations Personnel.

Limitations of MIS

Dependent on input quality, not a substitute for management (lacks qualitative assessment), limited flexibility for rapid changes, cannot provide tailor-made packages for every unique decision, less useful for non-programmed decisions, vulnerable to information hoarding, and affected by frequent management changes.

The World Wide Web (WWW) and Browsers

• WWW: An information-sharing model over the internet, using HTTP.

• Web Browser: Software (Chrome, Safari) to access and display information on the WWW (back/forward, tabs, address bar, history, refresh, stop, home button).

The Internet and the History of Email

• Internet: A global system of interconnected computer networks.

• Email: Electronic messages. Early system was "Mailbox" (MIT, 1965). Ray Tomlinson is the Father of Email for introducing the "@" symbol.

Features of Email

Electronic and cost-effective, supports attachments, has spam filters, allows custom signatures, provides search functions, and uses cloud storage.

Common folders: Inbox, Sent Mail, Drafts, Spam, Trash, Compose Mail, Contacts.

Internet, Intranet, and Extranet

Here is an explanation of:

Benefits of Intranet

Increases workforce productivity, saves time, enhances communication, facilitates web publishing (corporate knowledge, policies), supports business operations, is cost-effective (reduces physical documents), enhances collaboration, promotes common corporate culture, allows immediate updates, and supports distributed computing.

Use Cases for an Extranet

Sharing product catalogs with vendors, collaborating with partners, developing training programs, distributing news to partner companies.