Company Secretary (CS): A Guide

What a Company Secretary is

A Company Secretary (CS) is a professional focused on corporate governance, company law, and regulatory compliance. The qualification is awarded by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a statutory body, and is valued in companies for keeping them compliant with the law.

How the course is structured

The CS qualification is organised in stages — an entrance level, an executive level, and a professional level — along with practical training. Entry routes differ for students starting after Class 12 versus after graduation. The exact stages, eligibility, and fees are set by ICSI and change over time, so confirm the current scheme officially.

• Entrance, Executive, and Professional stages
• Practical training as required by ICSI
• Entry after Class 12 or after graduation (routes differ)

What Company Secretaries do

Company Secretaries work in corporate governance, secretarial and legal compliance, and advisory roles, in companies or in practice. The role connects the company's management, board, and regulators.

Plan with official information

Because the scheme and fees change, rely on the official ICSI website for the current structure and eligibility. This guide does not quote earnings, which vary by role and experience and are not promised by any course.