The job of Company Secretary (CS) is one of the most crucial in a company. A competent Company Secretary is in charge of a company's or individual's legal aspects. A controller is responsible for keeping and analysing the company's tax returns, preserving records, alerting the board of directors on the company's financial health, and ensuring compliance with legal and statutory standards. To work professionally as a Company Secretary, an individual must go through professional training and pass examinations.
What is ICSI?
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) regulates and maintains Company Secretary laws. ICSI provides training and instruction to thousands of aspiring Company Secretaries. At present, ICSI has over 50,000 members and about 4,00,000 students on its rolls.
CS Course Levels
There are three levels in the Company Secretary Courses:
1. Foundation Programme
2. Executive Programme
3. Professional Programme
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How to begin the journey of becoming a Company Secretary?
Eligibility:Earlier, the Company Secretary courses were recommended to mainly students coming from a Commerce background. However, nowadays Candidates with any stream in class 10+2 and a knack of hard work and determination to achieve in the profession are qualified to pursue a career as a Company Secretary.
The first step:Students must take the ICSI Foundation course after Class 12. The foundation course lasts for eight months. The foundation course must be completed within three years of admission. It is the first step of pursuing the Company Secretary Courses. Students who have completed the ICSI Foundation Course may enrol in the ICSI Intermediate Course. Graduates and Postgraduates (except those students enrolled in Fine Arts) can, however, enrol directly in the Intermediate course without first completing the Foundation course. Students who pass the ICSI Intermediate course are qualified for the last step of the ICSI course, which is the Final.
Significant steps: The most significant step for students taking courses in Company Secretary is training. During the Intermediate level and following the final level exams of the Company Secretary course, students must participate in short-term training programs.
Final Steps:After completing an Intermediate or Final level course, practical training is required to achieve an ICAI Associate Membership. These students are qualified for the position of Associate Company Secretary after successfully completing practical training and the final level ICSI course. A Company Secretary's career begins only after obtaining eligibility as an Associate Company Secretary.
CS Course Details
Duration of each level in the Company Secretary Course varies from each level. For specific details, check the table below:
Company Secretary Courses
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CS Courses Duration
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CS Course Fees (INR)
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CS Foundation
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8 months
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3600
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CS Executive
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9 months
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7000
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CS Professional
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10 months
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12000
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ICSI Syllabus 2022 for CS Foundation, Executive and Professional Exam
CS Foundation- CSEET Exam Syllabus 2022
The Syllabus for CS Foundation Programme comprises of Four papers:
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PAPER 1- Business Communication
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PAPER 2- Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning
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PAPER 3- Economic and Business Environment
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PAPER 4- Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills
CS Executive Syllabus 2022
The Syllabus for CS Executive Programme comprises of Eight papers:
MODULE 1:
1. Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws
2. Company Law
3. Setting up of Business Entities and Closure
4. Tax Laws
MODULE 2:
5. Corporate & Management Accounting
6.Securities Laws & Capital Markets
7.Economic, Business and Commercial Laws
8. Financial and Strategic Management
CS Professional Syllabus 2022
It is the last stage of the CS course. A student is required to complete the CS Professional Program within the valid period of his/her registration. It can only be pursued after clearing the CS Executive program.
MODULE 1:
1. Governance, Risk Management, Compliances and Ethics
2. Advanced Tax Laws
3. Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances
MODULE 2:
1. Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management and Due Diligence
2. Corporate Restructuring, Insolvency, Liquidation & Winding-up
3. Resolution of Corporate Disputes, Non-Compliances & Remedies
MODULE 3:
1. Corporate Funding & Listings in Stock Exchanges
2. Multidisciplinary Case Studies (The examination for this paper will be open book examination)
3. Electives 1 paper out of below 8 papers
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Banking – Law & Practice
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Insurance– Law & Practice
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Intellectual Property Rights– Laws and Practices
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Forensic Audit
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Direct Tax Law & Practice
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Labour Laws & Practice
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Valuations & Business Modelling
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Insolvency – Law and Practice
(The examination for this paper will be open book examination)
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