CS Executive Exam Pattern 2025: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has shared the exam details for the CS Executive 2025 on their official website, icsi.edu. If you're the one who is appearing for this exam, it's a good idea to look at the paper format before you start preparing.
The CS Executive 2025 exam plan tells you things like how the exam will be held, how much time you'll have, what topics are covered, which papers you need to take, the kinds of questions you'll face, and how they'll be graded. ICSI CS Executive December 2025 exam will commence on December 22, 2025. If you want more details, you can check out the below article on the CS Executive Exam Pattern 2025.
According to the official website, the CS Executive 2025 exam will happen in physical, offline test centres only. The exam is divided into two parts, which are called modules. Each module has 8 different papers to test your knowledge. This is based on the updated CS Executive syllabus.
CS Executive Exam Pattern 2025 Overview | |
Particulars | Details |
Conducting Body | Institute of Company Secretaries of India |
Full Exam Name | CS Executive Exam |
Mode of CS Executive 2024 exam | Offline centre-based exam |
Time duration | 3 hours for each paper |
Number of modules | Two:
|
No. of papers | Eight |
Type of questions asked | Objective and descriptive both |
No. of questions per paper | 100 |
Language | English |
Official Website | icsi.edu |
Recommended Books: Books for CS Exams Preparation
The CS Executive exam is split into two sections: Module I and Module II. When signing up, you can choose to take just one module or both together, based on what you prefer. In the exam, you'll have to answer both multiple-choice and detailed written questions.
The CS Executive exam will cover topics from both the 2017 and 2022 syllabuses. Let's explore the exam patterns for both.According to the CS Executive 2022 syllabus, the exam consists of 7 papers. Each paper includes 20% of multiple-choice questions based on case studies and 80% descriptive questions. However, paper number 4 consists entirely of descriptive questions. Before taking the CS Executive December 2025 exam, candidates must finish a pre-examination test.
CS Executive Exam Pattern (2022 Syllabus) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Group | Paper no. | Paper Type | Papers | Marks |
Group 1 | 1 | 20% Objective and 80% descriptive | Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws |
100 Marks |
2 | Company Law & Practice Part I – Company Law – Principles and Concepts (60 marks) Part II - Company Administration and Meetings (40 marks) |
100 Marks |
||
3 | Setting Up of Business, Industrial & Labour Laws Part I – Setting Up of Business (60 Marks) Part II – Industrial & Labour Laws (40 Marks) |
100 Marks |
||
4 | 100% descriptive | Corporate Accounting and Financial Management Part I – Corporate Accounting (60 Marks) Part II – Financial Management (40 Marks) |
100 Marks |
|
Group 2 | 5 | 20% Objective and 80% descriptive | Capital Market & Securities Laws Part I – Capital Market (40 Marks) Part II – Securities Laws (60 Marks) |
100 Marks |
6 | Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws Part I – Economic & Commercial Laws (60 Marks) Part II – Intellectual Property Laws (40 Marks) |
100 Marks |
||
7 | Tax Laws & Practice Part I - Direct Tax (60 Marks) Part II - Indirect Tax (40 Marks) |
100 Marks |
CS Executive Exam Pattern (2022 Syllabus) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Module | Paper no. | Type of question | Papers |
Module I |
1 |
Descriptive |
Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws |
2 |
Descriptive |
Company Law |
|
3 |
Descriptive |
Setting up of Business Entities and Closure |
|
4 |
Objective |
Tax Laws |
|
Module II |
5 |
Objective |
Corporate & Management Accounting |
6 |
Descriptive |
Securities Laws & Capital Markets |
|
7 |
Descriptive |
Economic, Business and Commercial Laws |
|
8 |
Objective |
Financial and Strategic Management |
Candidates have the option to select their preferred language, either English or Hindi, for answering the exam questions. However, it's important to note that in certain subjects such as Business Management, Ethics and Communication, Tax Laws and Practice, Cost, Corporate and Management, and Accounting, Financial and Strategic Management, candidates are required to use English as the compulsory language.
To successfully pass the CS Executive exam in 2025, candidates need to achieve a minimum of 40% marks in each individual paper in both Module I and Module II. Additionally, they must maintain an overall aggregate score of at least 50% across all the papers.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) sets these specific passing marks. Only candidates who meet these official passing criteria will be considered as "Pass" and will be eligible to move on to the next level, which is the CS Professional exam.
CS Executive Exam Pattern 2025 Qualifying Percentage/ Passing Criteria | ||
Papers | Passing Marks | Overall Aggregate |
Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws | 40% | 50% |
Company Law | 40% | |
Setting up of Business Entities and Closure | 40% | |
Tax Laws | 40% | |
Corporate & Management Accounting | 40% | |
Securities Laws & Capital Markets | 40% | |
Economic, Business and Commercial Laws | 40% | |
Financial and Strategic Management | 40% |
After understanding the CS Executive Exam Pattern, it's crucial for candidates to use the official syllabus provided by ICSI as a guide for their preparation. ICSI makes the CS Executive syllabus available on its official website. By referring to this syllabus, candidates can create a well-organized study plan based on the topics included in the CS Executive syllabus for 2025.
For those who have registered for the CS Executive exam December 2025, it's important to familiarize themselves with the new scheme of the CS Executive syllabus to prepare effectively.
Here are some preparation tips to keep in mind for CS Executive Exam Pattern 2025:
Furthermore, the CS Executive Exam Pattern 2025 has been detailed on the official ICSI website. It consists of two modules, each with eight papers, and candidates can choose to answer in either English or Hindi, with certain subjects requiring English. To pass, candidates need to secure at least 40% marks in each paper and an overall aggregate of 50%.
It's essential for candidates to align their preparation with the official syllabus and CS Executive Exam Pattern 2025 provided by ICSI to ensure a well-structured and effective study plan. Meeting the official passing criteria is the key to progress to the CS Professional exam. Remember, while the exam pattern is vital, consistent hard work, revision, and a positive mindset are equally crucial for success. Good luck with your preparation!