All about CS: Full Form, Qualification Requirements & Course Path

All about CS: Full Form, Qualification Requirements & Course Path

In today’s corporate environment, for a Business’s growth and sustainability, compliance with laws, ethical governance, and smooth administration are paramount. For all these, an organisation needs professionals like a Company Secretary.

With the help of this article, you will get a comprehensive understanding of what CS stands for, the eligibility criteria, course structure, training, and career prospects associated with the profession.

Full form of Company Secretary (CS)

The full form of CS is Company Secretary, and it’s a professional degree course offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). A Company Secretary is a senior-level position in an organization, primarily responsible for ensuring that the company complies with legal and regulatory requirements. 

In corporate governance, legal compliance, secretarial auditing, and strategic decision-making, CS Professionals play a key role.

All about CS: Overview

Particulars

CS Course details

CS Full form

Company Secretary

Company Secretary Course Duration

After 12th: Up to 4 years

After graduation: 2.5 to 5 years

CS Exam Conducting body

Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

CS Course level

CS Eligibility Criteria

  • CSEET: after 12th
  • CS Executive: CSEET/Graduation
  • CS Professional: Executive

Passing Criteria

Minimum 40% marks in each subject and an overall of 50% marks

CS official website

icsi.edu

 

All about CS: Qualification Requirements

Route 1: After 10+2 (Foundation Route)

Qualification Requirement

Students who have completed 10+2 in any stream (except fine arts) from a recognized board

Minimum Age

No specific age limit

 

Route 2: Direct entry route

To enroll in the CS Executive Direct Entry scheme, you must fall into either Category 1 or Category 2.

Category 1

Graduates and Postgraduates from any field except fine arts are eligible for CS Executive direct entry.

Category 2

Final Pass course students of ICAI and ICMAI can also apply for direct entry in CS Executive 

 

CS Course Structure: The Path to Becoming a CA

Step 1: CSEET

Company Secretary Executive Entrance Exam (CSEET)

Eligibility Criteria

Passed Class 12th in any stream (except Fine Arts)

Subjects

  • Business Communication

  • Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning

  • Economic and Business Environment

  • Current affairs and Quantitative Aptitude

Exam Pattern

Total Marks: 50 (each paper)

Each paper consists 35 multiple choice questions (20 questions worth one mark and 15 questions worth 2 marks)

Time Duration

2 hours for all parts

Negative Marking

No Negative Marking

Passing Criteria

Overall 50% marks and 40% marks in each subject

 

Step 2: CS Executive

CS Executive Exam

Eligibility Criteria

  • Passed CSEET exam

  • Direct Entry Route

Subjects

Group 1

  • Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws

  • Company Law & Practice

  • Setting Up of Business, Industrial & Labour Laws

  • Corporate Accounting and Financial Management

Group 2

  • Capital Market & Securities Laws

  • Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws

  • Tax Laws & Practice

Exam Pattern

Total Marks: 100 (each paper)

(20% Objective and 80% Subjective)

Except Paper 4, which is 100% subjective

Exam Duration

3 hours (each paper)

Negative Marking

No Negative Marking

Exam Mode

Offline (Center-based exam)

Passing Criteria

Overall 50% marks and 40% marks in each subject

 

Step 3: Articleship Training

Duration

15 months

Working hours

Not less than 6 hours a day

Leaves

45 days

 

Step 4: CS Professional

CS Executive Exam

Eligibility Criteria

Subjects

Group 1

  • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) – Principles & Practice

  • Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances

  • Compliance Management, Audit & Due Diligence

  • Elective 1 ( Select 1 paper out of 5 elective paper)

 

Group 2

  • Strategic Management & Corporate Finance

  • Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency

  • Elective 2 (Select one Paper out of 5 Elective Papers)

Exam Pattern

  • Total Marks: 100 (each paper)

  • Descriptive type questions

  • For elective: Descriptive and Open book

Time Duration

3 hours (each paper)

Negative Marking

No Negative Marking

Passing Criteria

Overall 50% marks and 40% marks in each subject

 

All about CS: Course Duration Overview

Route

Duration

After 12th

3 - 4 years

After Graduation

2.5 - 3 years

 

Conclusion:

If you aspire to become a Company Secretary then it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the entire path – from the full form and eligibility requirements to the course structure and training involved.  Knowing each step is necessary because it will not only help you to prepare better but also help to make informed decisions. 

So, before you start your CS journey, make sure you know all about CS because being well-informed is the first step toward becoming a successful Company Secretary.

FAQs

Q1. What is the full form of CS?

Ans. The full form of CS is Company Secretary, who is responsible for legal compliance, corporate governance, and advisory duties within a company.

Q2. Who conducts the CS course in India?

Ans. The CS course is conducted by the Institute of Companies Secretary of India (ICSI).

Q3. What are the qualification requirements for the CS course?

Ans. Students can apply for the CS course either after 12th or through the direct entry route by getting direct entry in the CS Executive exam, and there is no need to give the CSEET exam. 

Q4. How many levels are there in the CS Course?

Ans. To become a Company Secretary, students need to pass the three levels of the CS Course, including CSEET, CS Executive, and CS Professional, along with Practical training.

Q5. Is there any age limit for enrolling in the CS Course?

Ans. No, there is no upper age limit to pursue the CS Course.

Q6. Is CA more difficult than CS?

Ans. Both CS and CA exams are difficult and provide better career opportunities. The level of difficulty depends on an individual’s interest, understanding, and preparation strategy.

Q7. Can I get direct entry in the CS Executive level?

Ans. Yes, graduates and postgraduates can get direct entry in CS Executive level. In addition to this, the final pass course of ICAI and ICMAI also gets direct entry in the CS Executive level.

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