“The Institute of Company Secretaries of India” (ICSI) is a premier National Professional body established by Act of Parliament to develop and regulate the Profession of Company Secretaries.

ICSI imparts training in Company Secretaryship by Distance Learning (by correspondence) enabling students to qualify as Company Secretaries. The Institute provides “Course Material” for all the subjects at the time of Registration. There is also provision for Optional Oral Coaching classes.

Career as a Company Secretary is not only prestigious and financially rewarding but also carries with it a high level of job satisfaction.

Stages to become a Company Secretary

The student who would like to join the Course after 10+2 has to undergo three stages to pursue the Company Secretaries Course i.e.

Foundation Programme

Executive Programme

Professional Programme

In addition, the student has to undergo Practical Training for about 15 months which a student may opt to start after passing the Executive Programme.

The Student who would like to join the Course after passing the Graduation has to undergo two stages of the Company Secretaryship i.e.

Executive Programme

Professional Programme

Besides, the student has to undergo Practical Training for about 15 months.

Foundation Programme which is of eight months duration can be pursued by 10+2 pass students of Arts, Science or Commerce stream.

Executive Programme can be pursued by a Graduate of all streams except Fine Arts.

Professional Programme can be pursued only after clearing the Executive Programme of CS Course.

Training: A Student has to undergo 15 months Management Training in Companies sponsored by the Institute after passing the Executive or Professional Programme or under the guidance of a Company Secretary in Practice.

After qualifying Professional Examination and on successful completion of training a candidate is admitted as an Associate Member of the ICSI and can use the letters ACS after his/her name i.e. Associate Company Secretary.

Admission to the CS Course is open throughout the year. Examinations are held twice a year in June & December.

Cut off dates for admission to CS course:

For Foundation Programme	31^st March for appearing in December Examination in the same year
	30^th September for June Examination next year
For Executive Programme	28^thFebruary for December Exams in the same year
	31^st August for June Exam next year

CS Prospectus can be obtained from any of the offices of the Institute across India and

Cost of Prospectus for Foundation Programme : Rs. 200/- by cash payment while

Rs. 250/- by Post or courier

Cost of Prospectus for the Executive Programme : Rs. 300/- by cash payment while
Rs.350/- by Post or courier

Payment Option : The payment can be sent to the Headquarters by demand draft drawn in favour of ‘The Institute of Company Secretaries of India’ payable at New Delhi OR by cash across the counter from the Headquarters, Regional Offices & a few of the Chapters.

Fee Structure for CS Course

The fee for CS Foundation Programme is - Rs. 3600/-
for Executive Programme - Rs. 7000/- for Commerce Graduates while

- Rs. 7750/- for Non Commerce Students

ICSI offices across India

The ICSI has its Headquarters at ICSI House 22 Institutional Area Lodi Road New Delhi and Regional offices at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai & New Delhi and 69 Chapters located in various cities in India.

ICSI has 66 Examination Centres scattered all over India including one overseas centre at Dubai.

Employment Prospects

h A qualified company secretary has openings in Employment and as Practising

Independent Professional

h Companies with a paid up share capital of Rs.2 crores or more are compulsorily required to appoint a whole time Company Secretary who is a Member of ICSI

h All companies seeking listing on Stock Exchange are required to appoint a whole time company secretary

h Membership of the Institute is recognized for appointment to superior posts and services under Central Government.