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Company Secretary (CS) — Step-by-Step Roadmap

Your journey, phase by phase

  1. Phase 1 · Class 10–12 Class 10–12: stream and early registration Any stream is eligible; Commerce with Accountancy and Business Studies helps.
    • CS is open to students of every stream. Commerce students find company law and accounting familiar from Class 11.
    • You can enrol with ICSI while in Class 12 and take the entrance test in the same year.
    • Build reading habits now: CS is theory-heavy (company law, securities law, drafting) and rewards clear writing.
    • Create your ICSI student profile on the official portal early so you are not rushed at the CSEET registration window.
    Streams
    Any
    Marks needed
    No fixed Class 12 minimum for entry; CSEET has its own qualifying score
  2. Phase 2 · Class 12 / after Class 12 CSEET: the CS Executive Entrance Test A short computer-based entrance test that opens the Executive Programme.
    • CSEET replaced the old Foundation Programme. It tests Business Communication, Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning, Economic and Business Environment, and Current Affairs.
    • The test is held several times a year (ICSI schedules multiple windows); you can register once you are in or past Class 12.
    • A qualifying score (50% overall) is required to move to the Executive Programme.
    • Graduates in any discipline can skip CSEET and register directly for the Executive Programme.
    Mode
    Online, computer-based
    Qualifying score
    50% overall
    Skip route
    Graduates register directly for Executive
  3. Phase 3 · Year 1–2 Executive Programme Seven papers in two modules covering company law, tax, securities law and accounting.
    • Module 1 includes Jurisprudence, Interpretation and General Laws, Company Law, Setting up of Business Entities and Closure, and Tax Laws.
    • Module 2 includes Corporate and Management Accounting, Securities Laws and Capital Markets, and Economic, Business and Commercial Laws.
    • Exams are held twice a year, in June and December; you can attempt one or both modules.
    • Pass rule: 40% in each paper and 50% aggregate in the module.
    Papers
    7 in 2 modules
    Sessions
    June & December
    Pass rule
    40% paper, 50% aggregate
    • Tip: Start your Executive Development Programme (a short compulsory orientation) as soon as you are eligible.
  4. Phase 4 · Year 2–3 Professional Programme Advanced governance, compliance, drafting and electives across three modules.
    • Modules cover Governance, Risk Management, Compliance and Ethics, Advanced Tax Laws, Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances, Secretarial Audit and Due Diligence, Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency, and Resolution of Corporate Disputes.
    • You also choose electives such as banking law, insurance law, intellectual property rights or forensic audit.
    • A multidisciplinary case-study paper tests how you combine knowledge in practical situations.
    • Same 40% / 50% passing rule applies; sessions are June and December.
    Modules
    3
    Electives
    Choose from the ICSI list
    Pass rule
    40% paper, 50% aggregate
  5. Phase 5 · During programmes Mandatory training and orientation Executive Development, Professional Development and about 15 months of practical training.
    • Executive Development Programme (EDP) is completed after the Executive stage; Professional Development Programme (PDP) is completed alongside the Professional stage.
    • Practical training of about 15 months is done in a company, a practising Company Secretary firm or another approved organisation.
    • You learn board and general meeting procedure, ROC filings, SEBI and stock-exchange compliance and secretarial records.
    • Keep your training log and certificates; ICSI verifies them before membership.
    Practical training
    ~15 months
    Where
    Company or practising CS firm
  6. Phase 6 · After training Membership: ACS, then FCS Apply to ICSI to become an Associate Company Secretary.
    • After clearing all papers and completing training, apply for membership of ICSI and become an Associate Company Secretary (ACS).
    • To work as a practising Company Secretary you obtain a Certificate of Practice.
    • After a further period of membership you can become a Fellow Company Secretary (FCS).
    • Typical first roles: company secretary or compliance officer in listed companies, and associate in a practising CS firm.
    Designation
    ACS, later FCS
    Practice
    Certificate of Practice

Verify on the official source

Exam dates, fees, paper patterns and eligibility rules are revised by the regulator from time to time. Treat this roadmap as your map, and confirm the current rules on the official site before you register or pay any fee.

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