How to become a Company Secretary (CS) in India
कंपनी सेक्रेटरी (सीएस)
Keep a company legally compliant — board meetings, filings, governance and securities law.
- Streams
- Commerce, Arts / Humanities, Any stream
- Time it takes
- About 3–4 years after Class 12, including practical training
- Key exams
- CSEET, then CS Executive and Professional
What you actually do
- Organise board and shareholder meetings and record their minutes
- File statutory returns with the Registrar of Companies and stock exchanges
- Advise directors on company law, SEBI rules and good governance
A day in the life
Drafting a board resolution, checking a filing deadline on the MCA portal, answering a director’s question about a related-party deal, and preparing disclosures for the stock exchange.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: good English, reading and writing habitsabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12: any stream (Commerce helps); appear for CSEET after Class 12about 2 yr
- CS Executive programme (often alongside a B.Com, BBA or LLB)about 1.5 yr
- CS Professional programmeabout 1 yr
- Practical training as prescribed by ICSIabout 1 yr
- First job: Company Secretary / Compliance Officer at a company, or practising CSabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| CSEET, then CS Executive and Professional | Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) | Several sessions a year — check ICSI notifications |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
ICSI registration and exam fees — check the current ICSI fee schedule; ICSI provides study material
Private route
Optional private coaching adds to the cost, varying by city
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Listed companies are required to appoint a Company Secretary, so demand is steady, but pay depends on company size and city. We do not quote a figure; see ICSI placement drives for current offers.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You enjoy law and business together
- You are organised and careful with documents
- You like advising senior people
Maybe not, if…
- You find reading legal text boring
- You prefer creative, unstructured work
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Common questions
How do I become a Company Secretary (CS) in India?
1. Class 9–10: good English, reading and writing habits 2. Class 11–12: any stream (Commerce helps); appear for CSEET after Class 12 3. CS Executive programme (often alongside a B.Com, BBA or LLB) 4. CS Professional programme 5. Practical training as prescribed by ICSI 6. First job: Company Secretary / Compliance Officer at a company, or practising CS
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a Company Secretary (CS)?
CSEET, then CS Executive and Professional (Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a Company Secretary (CS)?
Commerce, Arts / Humanities, Any stream.
How long does it take to become a Company Secretary (CS)?
About 3–4 years after Class 12, including practical training
How much does it cost to become a Company Secretary (CS)?
Government route: ICSI registration and exam fees — check the current ICSI fee schedule; ICSI provides study material. Private route: Optional private coaching adds to the cost, varying by city. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a Company Secretary (CS) in India?
Listed companies are required to appoint a Company Secretary, so demand is steady, but pay depends on company size and city. We do not quote a figure; see ICSI placement drives for current offers.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Company Secretary (CS): path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Institute of Company Secretaries of India · Securities and Exchange Board of India
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
CSEET, then CS Executive and Professional — Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
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