Top Company Secretary (CS) Exam in India
Rahul Jaiswal10 May, 2025
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The Company Secretary (CS) profession in India holds great significance in the corporate and legal framework. Administered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), the CS course is structured across three levels: CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test), CS Executive, and CS Professional. Each stage builds on the last, preparing students for strategic and compliance roles in both the private and public sectors.
Whether you're a Class 12 pass-out, a graduate, or someone looking to understand the complete CS roadmap, this guide is designed to provide clarity on the structure, eligibility, registration process, and exam patterns of the Company Secretary programme in India.
Overview of the Company Secretary Course in India
The CS course is regulated by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a statutory professional body established under the Company Secretaries Act. The role of a Company Secretary goes beyond compliance; it involves advisory duties in corporate governance, ethics, and strategic planning.
To become a certified Company Secretary in India, students must clear three levels of examinations:
- CSEET (Entry-level for 12th pass students)
- CS Executive Programme
- CS Professional Programme
Each level has its own eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam format, and registration process.
What is the CSEET Exam?
The Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) is a mandatory examination for students aspiring to register for the Executive Program of the Company Secretary course. It is designed to assess the aptitude of candidates in subjects relevant to the role of a company secretary.CSEET Exam Structure and Syllabus
The CSEET Exam Syllabus is divided into four sections, each focusing on different subjects. The table below mentions the subjects candidates need to study for the upcoming exam, along with their marking scheme:
| CSEET Exam Structure and Syllabus | |||
| Papers | Subject | No.of questions | marks |
| 1 | Business Communication | 35 | 50 |
| 2 | Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning | 35 | 50 |
| 3 | Economic and Business Environment | 35 | 50 |
| Paper 4 | Current Affairs and Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 50 |
| total | 140 | 200 | |
CSEET Exam Pattern
As per the CSEET exam pattern , the exam will be conducted through remote proctored mode. This allows candidates to take the exam using a laptop or desktop computer from their home or other convenient and isolated places. Candidates cannot take the CSEET using a mobile phone, tablet, palmtop, or similar devices. The exam will last for 2 hours (120 minutes). The question paper will be displayed on the computer screen in English only. The exam will consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and the marks for each of the four papers are discussed above. Students should note that there will be no negative marking for wrong answers.CSEET July 2025 Exam Registration
The CSEET registration process session has begun, with the exam scheduled for July 5 2025. The last date for the July 2025 registration process is June 15, 2025. To avoid last-minute issues, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and complete the registration process before the deadline.
CSEET Exam Passing Criteria and Next Step
To pass the CSEET exam, candidates must score at least 40% on each paper and achieve an overall aggregate of 50% across all papers. Candidates who pass the CSEET November 2024 can proceed to register for the Executive Program of the Company Secretary course. It's important to note that the CSEET result is valid for one year from the declaration date. After passing, students should promptly complete the registration process for the Executive Program to avoid any delays.
What is the CS Executive Exam?
The CS Executive Exam is the second step in becoming a company secretary after completing the CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test). The exam comprises two groups, each containing several papers that cover various aspects of corporate laws, accounting, and management.ICSI CS Executive Exam Structure and Syllabus
The CS Executive Exam will be held between 1st June 2025 to 8th June 2025. As per the official notification from ICSI, ICSI has stated that these students will transition to the new 2022 syllabus starting from the June 2025 sessions. The institute has confirmed that no further petitions for exceptions will be entertained. The first CS Executive with the new syllabus (2022) was held in December 2023.
| ICSI CS Executive Exam Structure and Syllabus | ||
| Module I | ||
| Paper No. | Subject | Marks |
| 1 | Jurisprudence, Interpretation, and General Laws | 100 |
| 2 | Company Law & Practice Part I – Company Law: Principles and Concepts | 60 |
| Part II – Company Administration & Meetings | 40 | |
| 3 | Setting Up of Business, Industrial & Labour Laws Part I – Setting Up of Business | 60 |
| Part II – Industrial & Labour Laws | 40 | |
| 4 | Corporate Accounting and Financial Management Part I – Corporate Accounting | 60 |
| Part II – Financial Management | 40 | |
| Module II | ||
| 5 | Capital Market & Securities Laws Part I – Capital Market | 40 |
| Part II – Securities Laws | 60 | |
| 6 | Economic, Commercial, and Intellectual Property Laws Part I – Economic & Commercial Laws | 60 |
| Part II – Intellectual Property Laws | 40 | |
| 7 | Tax Laws & Practice Part I - Direct Tax | 60 |
| Part II - Indirect Tax | 40 | |
CS Executive Exam Pattern
The CS executive exam will be conducted offline in exam centres only. The exam paper consists of two modules and seven papers, each with 100 marks. The question pattern will be both objective and descriptive. There will be no negative marking for incorrect answers in MCQs. The detailed CS Executive Exam Pattern is given below.
| CS Executive Exam Pattern | |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Mode of Exam | Offline, Pen and paper-based |
| Duration of Exam | Three Hours (180 minutes) |
| Type of Questions | Both Objective and Subjective |
| Total Number of Papers | Module I: 4 papers Module II: 3 papers |
| Total marks per paper | 100 |
CS Executive June 2025 Exam Registration
The CS Executive exam registration process started on February 26. Candidates can fill out the application form online till March 25, 2025. However, they can submit the form until April 09, 2025, with a late fee. The CS executive exam is scheduled to start on June 1, 2025.CS Executive Exam Passing Criteria and Next Step
Candidates need to obtain at least 40% marks in each paper in both Module I and Module II. They also must achieve an overall aggregate score of at least 50% across all the papers. After successfully passing the CS executive exam, candidates can enroll in the CS professional course, the third and final stage of the ICSI CS program. Alternatively, they can use short-term training programs to enhance their knowledge and skills. Candidates must maintain a time gap of 10 months between the CS executive exam and the CS professional exams.What is the CS Professional Program?
The CS Professional Exam is the third and final step in becoming a company secretary. The CS professional exam is conducted twice a year. The exam comprises two groups with seven papers, including two elective papers.ICSI CS Professional Exam Structure and Syllabus
The CS Professional Exam June 2025 will be held between 1st June 2025 to 10th June 2025. The CS professional June 2025 exam will be the last one conducted as per the old syllabus (2017). The first CS professional exam with the new syllabus (2022) was held in June 2024. The exam comprises two groups with seven papers, including two elective papers. The CS Professional Exam New Syllabus and marking scheme are given below.
| ICSI CS Professional Exam Structure and Syllabus | ||
| Paper No. | Subject | Marks |
| Group 1 | ||
| 1 | Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) – Principles & Practice Part I – Governance and Sustainability | 65 |
| Part II – Risk Management | 20 | |
| Part III- Environment & Sustainability Reporting | 15 | |
| 2 | Drafting, Pleadings, and Appearances Part I - Drafting and Conveyancing | 70 |
| Part II - Pleadings and Appearances | 30 | |
| 3 | Compliance Management, Audit & Due Diligence Part I – Compliance Management | 40 |
| Part II – Audit & Due Diligence | 60 | |
| 4 | Elective 1 (Select one Paper out of 4 Elective Papers) | |
| Group 2 | ||
| 5 | Strategic Management & Corporate Finance Part I – Strategic Management | 40 |
| Part II – Corporate Finance | 60 | |
| 6 | Corporate Restructuring, Valuation, and Insolvency Part I – Corporate Restructuring | 40 |
| Part II – Valuation | 20 | |
| Part III – Insolvency, Liquidation & Winding-up | 40 | |
| 7 | Elective 2 (Select one Paper out of 5 Elective Papers) | |
CS Professional Exam Pattern
The CS professional exam will be conducted offline in exam centers only. The exam paper consists of two modules and seven papers, including electives. The elective exams are conducted as open-book tests. The question pattern will be descriptive. The detailed CS Professional Exam Pattern is given below.
| CS Professional Exam Pattern | |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Mode of Exam | Offline, center-based exam |
| Duration of Exam | Three Hours (180 minutes) |
| Type of Questions | Descriptive |
| Total Number of Papers | 5 compulsory and 2 elective papers |
| Total marks per paper | 100 |
| Marking scheme | 2 marks for each correct answer |
CS Professional June 2025 Exam Registration
The CS Professional June 2025 Exam registration started on February 26, 2025. Candidates can fill out the application. form online till March 25, 2025. However, they can submit the form until April 9, 2025, with a late fee. The CS professional exam is scheduled to start on June 1, 2025.CS Professional Exam Passing Criteria and Next Step
Candidates must obtain at least 40% marks in each paper in both Group 1 and Group 2. They also must achieve an overall aggregate score of at least 50% across all the papers. After successfully passing the CS professional exam, candidates can join the internship program in selected organizations to get exposure to real-world business environments and apply their knowledge and skills. There are a lot of career opportunities for professionally qualified CS candidates, such as legal advisors, corporate planners, chief administrative officers, and auditors, as well as working as consultants and faculty members. This was the complete discussion regarding the Company Secretary exam in India.
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| Related Links | |
| CS Exam Pattern | CS Syllabus |
| CS Eligibility Criteria | CS Exam Date |
| CS Exam | CS Result |
| CS Registration | CS Admit Card |
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