The Company Secretary (CS) course offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is a professional course that is offered to candidates who want to focus on corporate laws, governance, and compliance.
For the students who are planning to start the CS journey right after the 12th standard, it is essential to know the total time and the new syllabus of 2022. This blog categorizes the CS course stages and the time that is required for each stage to be completed to enable you to plan on how to become a qualified Company Secretary.
An overview of the CS course structure & Duration of Company Secretary Course
The CS course is structured into three main stages:
- CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test)
- Executive Program
- Professional Program
However, there are other practical training that are crucial in order to produce a competent Company Secretary. All the stages are well planned to ensure that the understanding and skills needed in the corporate world are well imparted.
Stage 1: CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test)
Duration: 4-6 Months (Preparation Time)
The CSEET is the first step for students who have completed their 12th grade and wish to pursue a degree in commerce. It has replaced the earlier CS Foundation course and is the entry level examination.
Eligibility: The CSEET can be taken by students who have cleared their 12th standard in any stream other than Fine Arts.
Syllabus: The CSEET comprises four broad areas:
- Business Communication
- Legal Knowledge and Analytical Ability
- Economic and Business Environment
- Current Affairs, Presentation & Communication Skills
Exam Frequency: The CSEET is held four times a year, namely in January, May, July and November.
Preparation Time: Generally, the students take about 4 to 6 months to prepare for the CSEET.
Stage 2: Executive Program
Duration: 12-18 Months
Once the students have cleared the CSEET, they can join the Executive Program.
ICSI CS Executive New Syllabus (2022)
| ICSI CS Executive New Syllabus | |||
| Paper No. | Group 1 | Paper No | Group 2 |
| 1. | Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws (100 Marks) | 5. | Capital Market & Securities Laws |
| 2. | Company Law & Practice | 6. | Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws |
| 3. | Setting Up of Business, Industrial & Labour Laws | 7. | Tax Laws & Practice |
| 4. | Corporate Accounting and Financial Management | ||
Preparation Time: The Executive Program is divided into two modules and each of them should take approximately 6 to 9 months of preparation, thus, the total time for this stage should be 12 to 18 months.
Examination: There are two examination sessions which are in June and December.
Stage 3: Professional Program
Duration: 12-18 Months
Upon clearing the Executive Program, students advance to the Professional Program. This stage is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and expertise in specific areas relevant to the role of a Company Secretary.
ICSI CS Professional New Syllabus (2022)
| Paper Number | Subjects |
| 1 | Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) |
| – Principles & Practice Part I – Governance and Sustainability | |
| – Part II – Risk Management | |
| – Part III- Environment & Sustainability Reporting | |
| 2 | Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances |
| – Part I – Drafting and Conveyancing | |
| – Part II – Pleadings and Appearances | |
| 3 | Compliance Management, Audit & Due Diligence |
| – Part I – Compliance Management | |
| – Part II – Audit & Due Diligence | |
| 4 | Elective 1 (Select one Paper out of 4 Elective Papers) |
| Group 2 | |
| 5 | Strategic Management & Corporate Finance |
| – Part I – Strategic Management | |
| – Part II – Corporate Finance | |
| 6 | Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency |
| – Part I – Corporate Restructuring | |
| – Part II – Valuation | |
| – Part III – Insolvency, Liquidation & Winding up | |
| 7 | Elective 2 (Select one Paper out of 5 Elective Papers) |
CS Professional Syllabus Elective Subjects
| CS Professional Syllabus Elective Subjects | |||
| Paper Number | Elective 1 | Paper Number | Elective 2 |
| 4.1 | CSR & Social Governance | 7.1 | Arbitration, Mediation & Conciliation |
| 4.2 | Internal and Forensic Audit | 7.2 | Goods and Services Tax (GST) & CorporateTax Planning |
| 4.3 | Intellectual Property Rights – Law & Practice(100 Marks) | 7.3 | Labour Laws & Practice (100 Marks) |
| 4.4 | Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security – Laws & Practice (100 Marks) | 7.4 | Banking & Insurance – Laws & Practice |
| 7.5 | Insolvency and Bankruptcy – Law & Practice (100 Marks) | ||
Preparation Time: Each of the modules normally requires 6 months of preparation, thus the total time required is not less than 12 to 18 months.
Examination: They are administered in June and December for all the courses offered in the respective semesters.
Practical Training: This is a key component that must be met for the completion of the course.
Duration of Company Secretary Course : 21-24 Months
The CS course also incorporates practical training as a critical aspect to enable the students to practice in real corporate companies.
After Executive Program:
Students have to undergo a 1-month Executive Development Program (EDP).
This is then succeeded by 21 months of practical training which can be done in parts or full depending on the clearance of the Professional Program.
After Professional Program:
Students have to complete a 1-month Professional Development Program (PDP).
Also, there is a provision of 15 days of training in a specific field like management or stock exchange training.
Total Duration of Company Secretary Course
When combining all stages and training requirements, the minimum duration to complete the CS course after 12th grade is as follows:
CSEET Preparation: 4-6 months
Executive Program: 12-18 months
Professional Program: 12-18 months
Practical Training: 21-24 months
Total Minimum Duration: 4 to 5 years
This timeline may differ depending on the preparation time of the students, the availability of examination periods, and the practical training period. It allows for the variation in the learning process and individual situations of students.
Finally,It is a big decision to start the Company Secretary course immediately after the 12th standard, but the payoff is a great career. The syllabus for the year 2022 ensures that students are well prepared with adequate knowledge and skills as required in the contemporary business world. The whole course, which takes 4-5 years, equips students for a highly-ranked position in the sphere of corporate management and legal compliance. To get more information and specific advice, students should go to the official website of ICSI or consult with career advisors who are aware of the CS course.
