Overview
The Company Secretary (CS) course is run by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It prepares students to advise companies on corporate law, governance, securities regulation, compliance and related areas.
The course now has three stages: the CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET), the Executive Programme and the Professional Programme. The older CS Foundation stage has been replaced by CSEET; students who already passed the Foundation can register directly for the Executive Programme.
Who can apply
CSEET: Indian nationals who have passed, or are appearing in, Class 12 (10+2) or an equivalent examination.
Executive Programme: students who have passed CSEET. The following can skip CSEET and register directly: CS Foundation passes, graduates and postgraduates in any discipline, CA Intermediate passes, CMA Final passes, and students who have passed the 6th semester of a recognised five-year integrated programme. Final-year undergraduates and those appearing in the 6th semester of a five-year integrated programme can register provisionally.
Professional Programme: open after passing the Executive Programme.
Levels or stages
CSEET
CSEET was restructured from the June 2026 session. It is now held at designated examination centres across India (with an overseas centre in Dubai), replacing the earlier remote-proctored test, which ran for the last time in January 2026. It is held three times a year, in the first week of February, June and October. Before enrolling for the exam, you must complete ICSI's Student Induction Programme.
Executive Programme
Seven papers in two groups. Group 1 covers jurisprudence and general laws, company law, setting up of business with industrial and labour laws, and corporate accounting with financial management. Group 2 covers capital markets and securities laws, economic, commercial and intellectual property laws, and tax laws. The Executive and Professional exams are held in June and December sessions.
Professional Programme
Seven papers in two groups, each group containing one elective. Group 1 covers ESG principles and practice, drafting, pleadings and appearances, compliance management and due diligence, plus one elective from six options (such as internal and forensic audit, or AI, data analytics and cyber security laws). Group 2 covers strategic management and corporate finance, corporate restructuring, valuation and insolvency, plus one elective from five options (such as GST and corporate tax planning, or labour laws). The elective papers are open-book exams.
Exam pattern
CSEET (from June 2026)
| Day | Paper | Marks | Type | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Communication | 100 | Written answers | 3 hours |
| 2 | Fundamentals of Accounting | 100 | Written answers | 3 hours |
| 3 | Economic and Business Environment | 100 | Written answers | 3 hours |
| 4 | Business Laws (60 marks) and Business Management (40 marks) | 100 | OMR multiple choice | 2 hours |
Every paper also gets 15 minutes of reading time. There is no negative marking in the OMR paper.
Executive and Professional
Each paper is a written exam. For the December 2026 session, papers run from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm, with the first 15 minutes set aside for reading the question paper.
Passing criteria and results
To pass CSEET, you need at least 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate, in a single sitting. CSEET has no exemptions or carry-forward of marks. Only e-mark sheets are issued. Under the restructured scheme, results are due in the last week of July for the June session, the last week of November for the October session, and the last week of March for the February session.
Validity
A CSEET registration is valid for 3 years from the month you register, and you can sit any session in that period without registering again.
A CSEET pass is valid for 1 year from the result date; you must register for the Executive Programme within that year.
Important dates
CSEET registration windows under the restructured scheme:
| Session | Registration window | Exam enrolment without late fee |
|---|---|---|
| February | 1 June to 30 September | 1 to 7 December |
| June | 1 October to 31 January | 1 March to 7 April |
| October | 1 February to 31 May | 1 July to 7 August |
For the February 2027 CSEET session, ICSI has set the last date of registration as 31 October 2026. The December 2026 Executive and Professional exams are scheduled from 21 to 28 December 2026.
Fees
Fees below are from the ICSI fee schedule effective 15 April 2026:
| Item | Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| CSEET registration (includes induction programme and online classes) | 7,500 |
| CSEET exam fee, per session | 1,500 |
| Executive registration, after passing CSEET (total) | 18,900 |
| Executive registration, direct entry without CSEET (total, includes CSEET exemption fee of 5,000) | 23,900 |
| Professional Programme registration (total) | 20,000 |
| Executive exam fee | 1,500 per group |
| Professional exam fee | 1,800 per group |
The Executive totals include a Rs 500 optional journal subscription. SC/ST and physically handicapped students get a 50% concession on CSEET fees, and students from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh pay no CSEET registration fee. CSEET fees are not refundable except for a double payment.
How to apply
Register online on the ICSI student portal (smash.icsi.edu): for CSEET, or directly for the Executive Programme if you qualify for exemption.
Complete the Student Induction Programme, then enrol for your chosen CSEET session within the enrolment window.
After passing CSEET, register for the Executive Programme within one year of the result.
Pass both Executive groups, then register for the Professional Programme.
Preparation tips
Use ICSI's study material, provided on registration, and the free online classes it runs for each CSEET session.
Practise written answers under time limits; three of the four CSEET papers are now descriptive.
For Executive and Professional, work through ICSI's guideline answers and indicative model question papers published on icsi.edu.
FAQs
Is CSEET still an online remote exam?
No. From the June 2026 session, CSEET is held at examination centres. The last remote-proctored CSEET was held in January 2026.
Can a graduate skip CSEET?
Yes. Graduates and postgraduates in any discipline can register directly for the Executive Programme. Direct entry costs more because it includes a CSEET exemption fee.
How many times a year is CSEET held?
Three times, in the first week of February, June and October.
What score do I need to pass CSEET?
At least 40% in each of the four papers and 50% in aggregate, all in one sitting. There is no negative marking in the OMR paper.
How long can I use my CSEET registration?
3 years from the month of registration. You can sit any session in that period without paying the registration fee again, though each session has its own exam fee.