The Company Secretary (CS) exam is a professional examination that individuals can take in order to become certified Company Secretaries in India. The exam is conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), which is the professional body that regulates and develops the profession of Company Secretaries in India.
The CS exam is divided into three levels: Foundation, Executive, and Professional. Each level has different subjects and topics that are tested, and individuals must pass each level in order to progress to the next. The exam covers areas such as company law, corporate governance, ethics and sustainability, financial and management accounting, taxation, and business strategy.
CS OVERVIEW
The Company Secretary (CS) is a professional who plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient and effective management of a company, particularly with respect to its legal and regulatory compliance. The CS is responsible for ensuring that the company operates in compliance with various laws and regulations, and for advising the company’s management and board of directors on matters relating to corporate governance, legal compliance, and risk management.
The CS is typically responsible for a wide range of duties, including:
- Providing guidance and advice to the company’s management and board of directors on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters
- Ensuring that the company complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to corporate governance, accounting and taxation, securities and exchange, labor, and environment and sustainability
- Maintaining the company’s records and registers, including its statutory books and records, and ensuring that they are accurate and up-to-date
- Preparing and filing various regulatory and compliance reports and disclosures, such as annual reports, financial statements, and disclosures required by securities regulators
- Managing the company’s shareholder relations and communications, and ensuring that shareholders are informed of the company’s activities and performance
- Overseeing the conduct of board and shareholder meetings, and ensuring that they are conducted in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements
- Serving as a liaison between the company and its external advisors, such as lawyers, accountants, and auditors
CS Important Exam Dates
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) conducts the Company Secretary (CS) exams twice a year, in June and December. Here are the important dates related to the CS exam:
- Start of Online Application: First week of February
- Last date for Online Application: Last week of February (without late fee), Second week of March (with late fee)
- Release of Admit Card: Third week of May
- Exam Dates: From First Saturday of June for Foundation and Professional, and from Second Saturday of June for Executive
- Announcement of Results: Last week of August
- Start of Online Application: First week of September
- Last date for Online Application: Last week of September (without late fee), Second week of October (with late fee)
- Release of Admit Card: Third week of November
- Exam Dates: From First Saturday of December for Foundation and Professional, and from Second Saturday of December for Executive
- Announcement of Results: Last week of February (next year)
CS Application Form
Application Form Component |
Information Required |
|---|---|
| Personal Details | Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Nationality, Father’s Name, Aadhaar Number, Address for Communication |
| Educational Qualifications | Details of Qualifying Examination (Class 12, Graduation, Post-Graduation), Board/University Name, Year of Passing, Percentage of Marks, Roll Number |
| Exam Details | Level of Exam (Foundation, Executive, Professional), Exam Centre Choice (up to four preferences), Medium of Exam (English or Hindi), Module Choice (for Executive and Professional levels) |
| Fee Payment | Payment mode (online or offline), Fee amount (depending on the level of exam and mode of payment), Transaction number (for online payment) |
| Photograph and Signature | Scanned copies of passport-size photograph and signature (in JPG or JPEG format, not exceeding 1MB in size) |
CS Application Fee
Level of Exam | Mode of Payment | Fee (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Online | 1500 |
| Offline | 1200 | |
| Executive | Online | 1200 per module |
| Offline | 1000 per module | |
| Professional | Online | 1200 per module |
| Offline | 1000 per module |
How to apply for CS 2023
To apply for the CS exam in 2023, candidates need to register on the ICSI website, fill in the application form, and pay the examination fee. The process involves online registration, filling in personal and educational details, choosing the level of exam and exam center preferences, and making the payment.
- Register on the ICSI website by clicking on the “Online Services” tab and selecting “Register for CS course”.
- Log in to the ICSI website using the user ID and password created during registration.
- Click on the “Student” tab and select “My Account”.
- From the dropdown menu, select “Examination Enrollment”.
- Choose the level of exam (Foundation, Executive, or Professional) for which you want to apply.
- Fill in the required personal and educational details in the application form.
- Choose up to four preferences for the exam center from the available options.
- Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photograph and signature.
- Review the details entered in the application form and make any necessary corrections.
- Pay the examination fee online or offline, as per your choice.
- Download and take a printout of the filled-in application form and fee receipt for future reference.
CS Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Company Secretary (CS) exam vary depending on the level of exam. Here are the eligibility criteria for each level:
- Candidates must have passed Class 12 from a recognized board or equivalent.
- There are no minimum aggregate marks required
- Candidates must have completed the Foundation course or hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, except Fine Arts.
- Candidates who have passed the CPT (Common Proficiency Test) conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) or the Entrance Exam of The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI-CMA) are exempted from appearing for the Foundation course.
- Candidates who have completed their Graduation, including those who are awaiting their results, can also apply for the Executive Programme.
- There are no minimum aggregate marks required.
- Candidates must have completed the Executive Programme.
- Candidates who have passed the Final Exam of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI-CMA) or the Final Exam of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) are exempted from appearing for the Executive course.
CS Cutoff
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) does not officially release any cutoff for the Company Secretary (CS) exam. However, to pass the exam, candidates must score a minimum of 40% marks in each paper and an overall aggregate of 50% marks in all papers of the exam. In other words, candidates need to score at least 40 marks out of 100 in each paper and a total of at least 200 marks out of 400 in the Executive and Professional levels.
- It is important to note that the minimum passing criteria are applicable to each paper and the overall aggregate of all papers. Failing to score the minimum passing marks in any paper or not meeting the overall aggregate requirement will result in failing the exam.
- Also, it is important to aim for a score higher than the minimum passing criteria to increase the chances of qualifying for the next level of the exam or getting a good rank. The competition for the CS exam is high, and candidates need to perform well to achieve their goals.
CS Application Form
The application form for the Company Secretary (CS) exam can be filled and submitted online on the official website of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). Here are the steps to fill the CS application form:
- Visit the official website of ICSI at www.icsi.edu.
- Click on the “Students” tab on the homepage and select “Student Registration” from the drop-down menu.
- Select the relevant level of the exam – Foundation, Executive or Professional.
- Fill in the required personal and educational details in the online application form.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents, including photograph, signature, and educational certificates.
- Pay the application fee online through net banking, credit/debit card, or e-wallets.
- Verify and submit the application form.
After the submission of the application form, candidates will receive an acknowledgement receipt along with their registration number. They should keep the receipt and registration number safe for future reference.
CS Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
There is no “No. 1” Company Secretary in India because the nation is home to numerous highly skilled and knowledgeable CS specialists. But some of the most well-known and regarded CS experts in India are:
According to Section 173 of the 2013 Companies Act, the appointment of a Company Secretary is made by calling a Board Meeting and informing all of the Company’s directors of the meeting.
According to Section 173 of the 2013 Companies Act, the appointment of a Company Secretary is made by calling a Board Meeting and informing all of the Company’s directors of the meeting.
There are many types of secretaries, but the most common are executive secretaries, administrative secretaries, and legal secretaries.
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