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Further studySource-checked · reviewed 23 Oct 202611 sources cited

Company secretaryship route (ICSI)

Investigate the Company Secretary route: an entrance test, two programmes, 21 months of practical training and published fees.

At a glance

Checked 23 Oct 2026 · 11 sources · next review 20 Nov 2026

Cost, pay and hours

As sourced
  1. 1
    Extra cost7 sourced
      • ICSI’s fee schedule lists CSEET registration at Rs 7,500, and the Executive Programme at Rs 18,900 in total for CSEET-qualified or CS Foundation students or Rs 23,900 for direct admission such as graduates.
      • The Professional Programme is Rs 20,000 in total.
      • Exam fees are Rs 1,500 per CSEET session, Rs 1,500 per Executive group and Rs 1,800 per Professional group.
      Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • registration, education and test fees as itemised in the schedule, plus exam fees per session or group
      • excludes books and coaching
      Show scopeScope:
      • Executive totals include an optional Rs 500 journal subscription and Rs 2,500 for a three-day orientation
      • the direct-admission total includes a Rs 5,000 CSEET exemption fee.
      • Concessions exist for some categories.
      Show 1 more
      • Books and coaching are extra.
    • ICSI's fee schedule lists CSEET registration at Rs 7,500 (inclusive of Student Induction Programme and online classes) and Rs 1,500 per CSEET session as examination fee.Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • one-off
      • CSEET registration inclusive of SIP and online classes
      • exam fee separately per session
      • excludes concessions, coaching, books
      Show scopeScope:CSEET; schedule linked from the Fee Structure page (updated 29 Sep 2026). Not needed by graduates.
      Note:
      • Excludes concessions (50% for SC/ST etc.) and coaching
      • June 2026 restructuring did not change these fees.
    Show 5 more
    • ICSI's fee schedule lists the Professional Programme at Rs 20,000 in total (education fee 19,000 plus pre-examination test fee 1,000).Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • one-off
      • Professional Programme education fee plus pre-examination test fee
      • excludes exam fees, CLDP, coaching
      Show scopeScope:Professional Programme registration after passing the Executive Programme.
      Note:Excludes exam fees and coaching.
    • ICSI's fee schedule lists examination fees (effective from the December 2024 session) of Rs 1,500 per Executive group and Rs 1,800 per Professional group.Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • per attempt
      • examination fee per group
      • excludes late fee Rs 250, centre-change fee, concessions
      Show scopeScope:Per group per sitting.
      Note:Late fee Rs 250 per submission; fees for later sessions not checked beyond the schedule.
    • ICSI's Training Guidelines price the Executive Development Programme at Rs 2,000 for the 15-day online mode.Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • one-off
      • 15 days Online EDP
      • excludes classroom EDP, practical training stipend
      Show scopeScope:EDP is a prerequisite to start the 21 months of practical training for Executive pass students (5.1).
      Note:The other 15 days are the classroom EDP (Rs 8,000).
    • ICSI's Training Guidelines price the 15-day classroom Executive Development Programme at Rs 8,000 (raised from Rs 5,000 by a Council decision of 29 August 2024).Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • one-off
      • 15 days Classroom EDP, including refreshments and study material
      • excludes online EDP
      Show scopeScope:Classroom EDP, 15 days.
      Note:Does not include the online EDP fee.
      • ICSI's Training Guidelines price CLDP Phase I (15 days classroom, non-residential) at Rs 10,000 and Phase II (15 days classroom, residential) at Rs 20,000
      • alternatives are Rs 30,000 for 15 days online (LMS) or through weekend classes, and Rs 50,000 for 30 days online.
      Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • one-off
      • CLDP fees by mode as printed
      • excludes stay beyond what is included
      • practical training
      Show scopeScope:CLDP after the 21 months of practical training for Professional pass students.
      Note:Not in the fee schedule; the cost and timing of completing CLDP before membership are not summarised in one total.
  2. 2
    Pay4 sourced
    • ICSI's Training Guidelines require every Company Secretary in practice or company engaging a trainee to pay a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 minimum, or as the Council determines, including during probation, through banking channels.Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • per month
      • minimum stipend for a practical trainee, including probation
      Show scopeScope:Trainees in the 21-month long-term practical training, Guidelines 2024.
      Note:
      • A minimum set by ICSI, not what employers pay or what a company secretary earns after qualifying.
      • Excludes actual employer pay; allowances.
    • NICL states a starting basic pay of Rs 82,485 in a Scale I pay scale for the officers recruited in this notice, which includes Company Secretaries.Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • per month
      • starting basic pay of a Scale I officer at NICL
      Show scopeScope:
      • Scale I Administrative Officer posts, NICL 2026-27 recruitment.
      • Section 4 also says total emoluments will be approximately Rs 1,14,000 per month in Metropolitan Centres.
      Note:
      • Not take-home; applies to this notice only; not a typical CS salary.
      • Excludes allowances beyond the employer's own approximate total; non-metro locations.
    Show 2 more
    • POWERGRID's Officer Trainee notice (covering the Company Secretary post) states a basic pay of Rs 40,000 plus IDA, HRA and perks at 12% of basic during training, and an approximate CTC of Rs 11.00 lakhs during training and Rs 22.50 lakhs after successful completion of training.Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • per year
      • employer-stated approximate CTC for Officer Trainee posts at POWERGRID (Advt. CC/05/2025)
      Show scopeScope:
      • Officer Trainee (Finance) and Officer Trainee (Company Secretary) posts, 2025.
      • The notice says CTC varies with location.
      • E2 scale Rs 50,000-3%-1,60,000 (IDA) on regularization.
      Note:
      • An approximate employer-stated CTC for one closed 2025 notice; not a market salary; not take-home.
      • Excludes location-dependent variation; take-home; the service bond amount.
    • The Centre for Management Development, Kerala, on behalf of a public sector undertaking, advertised a Company Secretary post (contract period 3 years, 1 vacancy) at a consolidated pay of Rs 51,300 per month, requiring membership of ICSI and at least 2 years of post-qualification experience.Basis:
      • Indian rupees
      • per month
      • consolidated pay, Company Secretary on a 3-year contract (CMD Kerala for an unnamed PSU)
      Show scopeScope:
      • Notice No. CMD/10/2026/01 dated 22 October 2026
      • applications 22 October to 10 November 2026; age 18-40.
      Note:
      • A contract post for an experienced CS (not a fresher); the PSU is not named in the notice.
      • Excludes allowances not mentioned; permanent employment.
  3. 3
    Timetable & attendance4 sourced
    • ICSI’s Student Training Guidelines 2024 require a company or practising company secretary engaging a trainee to pay a monthly stipend of at least Rs 5,000, or as the Council determines.
      Show scopeScope:
      • A minimum set by ICSI’s guidelines, not what any employer pays.
      • It is not an estimate of pay after qualification, which is not established.
    • ICSI's Training Guidelines say a trainee's working hours may be fixed by mutual consent between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, subject to a minimum of 8 hours per day.
      Show scopeScope:CS practical trainees, Guidelines 2024.
      Note:Does not cap weekly hours; employer policy and local law also apply.
    Show 2 more
    • ICSI's Training Guidelines leave weekly offs and 5- or 6-day weeks to the organisation or trainer, and give one paid casual leave per month.
      Show scopeScope:CS practical trainees.
      Note:Does not say that weekend work is rare or common.
    • ICSI's Training Guidelines give leaves of 52 days (including 31 days examination leave) to Executive Programme pass students for the Professional Programme, and 21 days casual leave only to those who start training after passing the Professional Programme.
      Show scopeScope:Leave for study and examination in CS training.
      Note:Excess leave extends training.

Reality check

From the sources
The work
  • ICSI’s course has an entrance test (CSEET), an Executive Programme and a Professional Programme, followed by practical training.
  • The cited pages describe the route, eligibility, training and fees, not the day-to-day work of a company secretary.
Entry requirements
  • From its first session in June 2026 the CSEET admits candidates who have passed or are appearing in Senior Secondary (10+2), Indian nationals only.
  • Graduates and post-graduates in any discipline are exempt from the CSEET and can register directly for the Executive Programme
  • ICSI’s fee schedule also lists final-year or final-semester graduation students as a provisional direct-admission category.
  • No minimum graduation percentage is stated in the text read; confirm current rules with ICSI.
Trade-offs to consider
  • This is a study route with exams, then 21 months of practical training.
  • ICSI’s fee schedule lists CSEET registration at Rs 7,500, the Executive Programme at Rs 18,900 or Rs 23,900 in total and the Professional Programme at Rs 20,000, plus exam fees.
  • Its Training Guidelines add the Executive Development Programme (Rs 2,000 online or Rs 8,000 in the classroom) before practical training and the Corporate Leadership Development Programme after it.
  • Trainees must be paid at least Rs 5,000 a month.
Show 1 more
  • Vacancies are not established here.

Skills & employers

From the sources
Skills to investigate
  • Legal and business reading
  • Study planning
  • Written reasoning
Institutions named in sources
  • National Insurance Company Limited (Govt. of India undertaking)
  • POWERGRID (Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd)
  • Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited
  • Centre for Management Development, Government of Kerala
Examples in cited pages, not a hiring list.
Study or credential needed
  • An Executive pass student may begin long-term practical training only after the one-month Executive Development Programme (15 days online plus 15 days classroom).
    Show scopeScope:Training Guidelines 2024.
    Note:Does not say how long finding a trainer takes.
    • Students registering for the CS Executive Programme on or after 1 January 2026 must complete the Three Days Orientation Programme within 3 months
    • it is a pre-requisite for filling the examination form.
    Show scopeScope:Executive Programme registrants from 1 January 2026.
    Note:Fee is inside the Executive total.
  • Student Induction Programme is a pre-requisite for enrolling in the CSEET examination for students newly registered from 16 December 2025.
    Show scopeScope:CSEET registrants from 16 December 2025; graduates skip CSEET.
    Note:Not needed for graduates admitted directly.
  • A Professional pass student becomes eligible for CLDP Phase I after the 30-day EDP and 21 months of practical training.
    Show scopeScope:
    • Pre-membership training sequence.
    • ICSI's slides list it under 'Pre-Membership Training'.
  • ICSI's overview lists the route as CSEET, Executive Programme, Professional Programme, Pre-Membership Training, then CS Membership.
    Show scopeScope:Undated slides.
    Note:Does not state membership fees.
    • ICSI states an Associate/Fellow member who intends to be engaged in the profession of Company Secretary on a whole-time basis, not in employment, can apply for a Certificate of Practice
    • members entering practice on or after 1 April 2023 must first complete the PCS Orientation Programme
    • the annual certificate of practice fee is Rs 2,000 plus GST.
    Show scopeScope:Practising company secretaries only; salaried company secretaries do not need it.
    Note:Not needed for employment as a company secretary.

How admission works

9 sourced
  • ICSI’s undated overview slides list a Class 10 pass (provisional registration) or a Senior Secondary pass or appearance for the CSEET, and list graduates and post-graduates among those who can register directly for the Executive Programme.
    Source: ICSI ↗, ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:
    • Partly superseded: ICSI’s announcement of the restructured CSEET (first session June 2026) lists only Senior Secondary (10+2) passed or appearing, so the Class 10 route should not be relied on.
    • See the newer claims on this profile.
    • No minimum graduation percentage is stated in the text read.
  • National Insurance Company Ltd (a Government of India undertaking) is recruiting Company Secretaries (2 tentative vacancies) as Scale I officers and requires ACS/FCS from ICSI plus a graduation or post-graduation in any discipline with at least 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwBD).
    Source: National Insurance Company Limited (Govt. of India undertaking) ↗
    Show scopeScope:
    • NICL Scale I recruitment; online registration 8 to 28 October 2026; open on 24 October 2026.
    • Selected Company Secretaries are posted primarily at Head Office, Kolkata (page 2).
    Not established:
    • Two posts only. Does not say a fresh qualifier will be chosen.
    • Degree is 'any discipline', so B.Com and BBA are not named.
  • POWERGRID (a Maharatna public sector enterprise) advertised an Officer Trainee (Company Secretary) post and required that 'Candidates should be Associate Member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India'.
    Source: POWERGRID (Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd) ↗
    Show scopeScope:
    • Advt. CC/05/2025 showed 1 backlog vacancy for Officer Trainee (Company Secretary)
    • upper age limit 28 years as on 05.11.2025.
    • POWERGRID's own job-opportunities page marks this window 'Application Window closed' and also lists a 2026 special drive for ST candidates for Officer Trainee (CS), Advt.
    Show 1 more
    • CC/02/2026 dated 28.04.2026, also closed.
    Not established:
    • Past recruitments, not open vacancies.
    • One post only in CC/05/2025.
Show 6 more
    • POWERGRID's own job-opportunities page lists Advt.
    • CC/05/2025 (Officer Trainee Finance and CS) with 'Application Window closed', and a special recruitment drive for Officer Trainee (CS) 2026 (Advt.
    • CC/02/2026, 28.04.2026) also closed.
    Source: POWERGRID (Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd) ↗
    Show scopeScope:Status as read on 24 October 2026.
    Not established:
    • Shows both windows closed on the day read.
    • Does not show any open Finance or CS vacancy at POWERGRID.
  • The Centre for Management Development (Government of Kerala) invites applications for a Company Secretary on contract for a reputed public sector undertaking, requiring 'Member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India' and at least 2 years of post-qualification experience.
    Source: Centre for Management Development, Government of Kerala ↗
    Show scopeScope:Open on 24 October 2026; last date 10 November 2026, 5 PM.
    Not established:One post; the end-employer is not named; not a fresher post.
  • SECI's notice for Executive Director (Finance) lists Company Secretary (CS) or a degree in law as 'Desirable', not essential, alongside an essential CA, CMA or finance MBA qualification.
    Source: Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited ↗
    Show scopeScope:
    • One senior post (E-9 grade, pay scale Rs 1,50,000-3,00,000 IDA) at Solar Energy Corporation of India; age limit 56 years
    • the notice date and closing date are not printed in the pages checked.
    Not established:
    • A very senior post needing 25 years' experience, so not a route a new qualifier can use directly
    • shows only that PSU finance leadership posts name the qualification.
    • Not an open-vacancy confirmation.
  • ICSI's announcement of the restructured CSEET (first session June 2026) allows a candidate who has passed or is appearing in Senior Secondary (10+2) to apply, Indian nationals only, and exempts graduates, post-graduates, CS Foundation passes, CA Intermediate passes and CMA Final passes from CSEET.
    Source: ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:
    • CSEET sessions in February, June and October
    • the Feb 2027 session registration closes 31 October 2026 (ICSI page).
    Not established:Does not mention a Class 10 route.
    • ICSI's CSEET FAQ says Graduates and Postgraduates in any discipline are exempt from CSEET and can register directly for the Executive Programme
    • final-year or final-semester bachelor's students can also register directly.
    Source: ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:Restructured CSEET FAQ, effective June 2026 session.
    Not established:
    • Does not name B.Com or BBA; 'any discipline' means both qualify without being named.
    • No minimum percentage is stated in the FAQ or fee schedule.
  • ICSI's fee schedule lists 'Graduates', 'Post-Graduates' and a provisional category 'Appearing Final Year/Final Semester examination of Graduation' under direct admission to the Executive Programme.
    Source: ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:Direct admission to the Executive Programme.
    Not established:Names no degree titles.

The work and what comes next

6 sourced
The work, from the sources
  • ICSI's slides describe the Company Secretary as at the core of every well-governed organisation, as advisor to the Board of Directors, compliance officer and Key Managerial Personnel, among other roles.
    Source: ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:ICSI's own description; undated.
    Not established:A role description by the institute, not a job description from an employer.
What can come next
  • ICSI’s course comprises the CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET), the Executive Programme and the Professional Programme, followed by practical training.
    Source: ICSI ↗, ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:Structure only; it says nothing about the day-to-day work.
  • ICSI’s Student Training Guidelines 2024 state that long-term practical training lasts 21 months.
    Source: ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:Guidelines titled 2024; later Council decisions may differ.
Show 3 more
  • NICL requires selected officers to give an undertaking to serve for a minimum of four years including probation, with liquidated damages equivalent to one year's gross salary (which could be proportionately reduced depending on length of service) if they resign before the bond period ends.
    Source: National Insurance Company Limited (Govt. of India undertaking) ↗
    Show scopeScope:NICL Scale I officers, 2026-27 notice.
    Not established:Employer-specific.
    • POWERGRID requires selected trainees to execute a service agreement bond, to complete the training period and then serve at least three years
    • the bond amount is Rs 5,00,000 (General/OBC-NCL/EWS) or Rs 2,50,000 (SC/ST/PwBD), plus taxes.
    Source: POWERGRID (Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd) ↗
    Show scopeScope:POWERGRID Officer Trainee posts, 2025 notice.
    Not established:Employer-specific; closed notice.
  • ICSI's Training Guidelines say that a student taking leave beyond the entitlement has training extended for proportionate days.
    Source: ICSI ↗
    Show scopeScope:CS practical trainees.
    Not established:Does not quantify typical extension.

Sources and unanswered questions

  • Professional-body documents: fee schedule (Fee Structure page updated 29/09/2026), overview slides (undated) and Training Guidelines 2024 · India · fees and rules can be revised.
  • Source checking confirms only the scoped statements on this page, not anyone’s individual eligibility.
  • Confirm current requirements with the employer or programme.
  • ICSI schedule of fee for students of the CS course ↗ICSI · accessed 23 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:
    • Linked from ICSI’s Fee Structure page (page updated 29/09/2026).
    • The PDF carries no print date; exam fees are marked effective from the December 2024 session.
    • The table layout is hard to read; totals were checked against the itemised lines.
    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • ICSI overview of the CS course (programme slides) ↗ICSI · accessed 23 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:Undated slides. The fees shown on the slides are older than the fee schedule; use the fee schedule for amounts.
    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • ICSI Student Training Guidelines 2024 ↗ICSI · accessed 23 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:
    • Titled 2024; Council decisions after August 2024 may differ.
    • The stipend stated is a minimum set by ICSI, not what any employer pays.
    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • Recruitment of 321 Administrative Officers (Generalists & Specialists) (Scale I), National Insurance Company Limited ↗National Insurance Company Limited (Govt. of India undertaking) · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:
    • NICL Scale I recruitment of 321 officers
    • online registration 8 to 28 October 2026
    • Phase I exam 17 November 2026; Phase II 22 December 2026
    Show 2 more
    • 20 Finance (CA & CMA) posts shown as tentative vacancies.
    • The notice is open on 24 October 2026 (closes 28 October).
    Not established:
    • Does not say that a fresh qualifier will be selected, what the selection rate is, or that these vacancies recur.
    • The degree requirement is 'any discipline', so it names neither B.Com nor BBA.
    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • Advt. No. CC/05/2025: Recruitment of Professionals in Finance & Company Secretary disciplines as Officer Trainee ↗POWERGRID (Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd) · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:
    • Advt. CC/05/2025, 17+2 Officer Trainee (Finance) posts; upper age limit 28 years as on 05.11.2025.
    • POWERGRID's own job-opportunities page marks this window 'Application Window closed', so it is a past recruitment, not an open vacancy.
    Not established:Not an open vacancy. Does not say whether POWERGRID will advertise again, and says nothing about B.Com or BBA (the CA/CMA pass is the stated qualification).    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • POWERGRID Job opportunities (listing) ↗POWERGRID (Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd) · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:Status as read on 24 October 2026.
    Not established:
    • Shows both windows closed on the day read.
    • Does not show any open Finance or CS vacancy at POWERGRID.
    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • Notification No. 01/2026: Recruitment of Executive Director (Finance), Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd ↗Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:
    • One senior post (E-9 grade, pay scale Rs 1,50,000-3,00,000 IDA) at Solar Energy Corporation of India; age limit 56 years
    • the notice date and closing date are not printed in the pages checked.
    Not established:
    • A very senior post needing 25 years' experience, so not a route a new qualifier can use directly
    • shows only that PSU finance leadership posts name the qualification.
    • Not an open-vacancy confirmation.
    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • Notification No. CMD/10/2026/01: Company Secretary and Assistant Manager on contract basis (on behalf of a public sector undertaking) ↗Centre for Management Development, Government of Kerala · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:
    • Notice No. CMD/10/2026/01 dated 22 October 2026
    • applications 22 October to 10 November 2026; age 18-40.
    Not established:A contract post for an experienced CS (not a fresher); the PSU is not named in the notice.    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • Member in Practice (ICSI web page) ↗ICSI · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:Practising company secretaries only; salaried company secretaries do not need it.
    Not established:Not needed for employment as a company secretary.    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • Announcement: Restructuring of CSEET (effective from June 2026 session) ↗ICSI · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:
    • CSEET sessions in February, June and October
    • the Feb 2027 session registration closes 31 October 2026 (ICSI page).
    Not established:Does not mention a Class 10 route.    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
  • FAQs on Restructured CSEET (effective from June 2026 session) ↗ICSI · accessed 24 Oct 2026
    Show scopeScope:Restructured CSEET FAQ, effective June 2026 session.
    Not established:
    • Does not name B.Com or BBA; 'any discipline' means both qualify without being named.
    • No minimum percentage is stated in the FAQ or fee schedule.
    Checked by a person; not monitored automatically.
Your next step: Read ICSI’s fee schedule and overview, then check which entry route fits your qualification.
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