Course Overview: The Company Secretary (CS) program in India is governed by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). This prestigious certification equips students with the knowledge to manage corporate law, taxation, and governance. The course ensures that candidates gain the expertise required to serve as key advisors in corporate strategy, decision-making, and compliance.

Duration:

• Foundation Program: 8 months

• Executive Program: 9 months

• Professional Program: 10 months

• Total Duration: Typically takes 2-3 years depending on the student's pace and completion of required exams.

Syllabus (Stage-Wise Breakdown)

The CS course has three stages:

1. CS Foundation Program (now called CSEET - Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test):

• Introduction to Law and Governance

• Business Communication

• Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning

• Economic and Business Environment

• Current Affairs

2. CS Executive Program:

• Semester 1:

• Jurisprudence, Interpretation & General Laws

• Company Law

• Setting up of Business Entities and Closure

• Tax Laws

• Semester 2:

• Corporate & Management Accounting

• Securities Laws & Capital Markets

• Economic, Business, and Commercial Laws

• Financial and Strategic Management

3. CS Professional Program:

• Semester 1:

• Advanced Company Law

• Securities and Capital Market Laws

• Corporate Restructuring, Valuation & Insolvency

• Secretarial Audit, Compliance Management

• Semester 2:

• Corporate Funding & Listings in Stock Exchanges

• Multidisciplinary Case Studies

• Governance, Risk Management, and Ethics

• Drafting, Pleading, and Appearances

Average Fees:

• CSEET: INR 1,000 - 2,000

• Executive Program: INR 9,000 - 10,000 (per module)

• Professional Program: INR 12,000 - 14,000 (per module)

• Total Average Fees: INR 40,000 - 50,000 (including registration, study material, and examination fees)

Exams to Attend:

• CS Foundation (CSEET): This entrance exam assesses a candidate’s aptitude and knowledge in the key areas necessary for corporate law and governance.

• CS Executive: After clearing the CSEET, candidates move to the Executive stage, which consists of two groups of subjects.

• CS Professional: This is the final stage, which further hones the skills in corporate and financial law, risk management, and strategic decision-making.

Top 10 Institutions in India for Company Secretary (CS):

There are no specific colleges exclusively for the CS course as it is regulated by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). However, some institutions offer preparatory courses for the CS exams. These are ranked based on student performance, faculty, and preparatory success rates.

1. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune

2. Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurgaon

3. Amity University, Noida

4. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai

5. Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI), Hyderabad

6. Delhi University, Delhi

7. Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune

8. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

9. Christ University, Bangalore

10. Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar

Top 10 Institutions in Kerala for Company Secretary (CS):

1. Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Kochi Chapter

2. ICSI Thiruvananthapuram Chapter

3. St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam

4. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

5. Calicut University, Kozhikode

6. Sree Narayana College, Kollam

7. Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi

8. Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram

9. Sacred Heart College, Thevara

10. CMS College, Kottayam