Written by Yeshas Academy Editorial Team · Updated 18 October 2026

Company Secretaries sit at the centre of how Indian companies are run. They make sure boards follow the law, file what regulators need, protect shareholder rights and advise directors on governance.

In 2026, the CS course looks different from a few years ago. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) restructured the entry exam, CSEET, from the June 2026 session. Graduates can now skip it entirely.

If you are a Class 12 or B.Com student wondering whether CS is the right path, this guide covers how the course works today, what changed, how hard it is, and where it can take you.

What is the CS course?

CS (Company Secretary) is a professional qualification awarded by ICSI, a statutory body set up under the Company Secretaries Act, 1980. A qualified CS is an expert in:

• Company law and corporate governance
• Securities and capital market regulations (SEBI)
• Compliance, secretarial audit and due diligence
• Corporate restructuring, insolvency and valuation
• Drafting legal documents and representing companies before tribunals

Under the Companies Act, 2013, listed companies and larger public companies must appoint a whole-time Company Secretary as key managerial personnel. That legal requirement is why the role stays in demand.

CS course structure in 2026

The CS course in 2026 has three stages. The older CS Foundation Programme no longer takes new students.

Stage	Who it is for	Papers	Exam months
CSEET	Class 12 passed or appearing	4 papers, 400 marks	February, June, October
CS Executive	CSEET passers and exempted graduates	7 papers in 2 groups	June and December
CS Professional	CS Executive passers (both groups)	7 papers in 2 groups, incl. 2 electives	June and December
Training and membership	After CS Professional	Practical training and CLDP	As notified by ICSI

1. CSEET (CS Executive Entrance Test)

CSEET is the entry exam for Class 12 students. From June 2026 it is no longer a remote-proctored online test. It is a pen-and-paper exam held at designated centres, with four papers:

• Business Communication – 100 marks, subjective, 3 hours
• Fundamentals of Accounting – 100 marks, subjective, 3 hours
• Economic and Business Environment – 100 marks, subjective, 3 hours
• Business Laws and Management – 100 marks, OMR-based, 2 hours, no negative marking

To pass, you need 40% in each paper and 50% in aggregate, in one sitting. ICSI’s notice lists a registration fee of ₹7,500 (including induction and online classes) and an exam fee of ₹1,500 per session.

2. CS Executive

CS Executive has seven papers in two groups under ICSI’s Syllabus 2022, with no electives.

Group 1

• Jurisprudence, Interpretation and General Laws
• Company Law and Practice
• Setting up of Business, Industrial and Labour Laws
• Corporate Accounting and Financial Management

Group 2

• Capital Market and Securities Laws
• Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws
• Tax Laws and Practice

Each paper is 3 hours plus 15 minutes of reading time. You pass a group with 40% in each paper and 50% aggregate across that group.

3. CS Professional

CS Professional is the final stage. It has five core papers and two open-book electives.

Group 1: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Principles and Practice; Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances; Compliance Management, Audit and Due Diligence; Elective 1.

Group 2: Strategic Management and Corporate Finance; Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency; Elective 2.

Elective choices include Internal and Forensic Audit; Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security; Advanced Direct Tax; IFSCA regulations; GST and Corporate Tax Planning; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Labour Laws; and Banking and Insurance.

What has changed in the CS course in 2026?

CSEET moved offline. January 2026 was the last remote-proctored CSEET. From June 2026, the exam is held at centres in the afternoon, with three subjective papers and one OMR paper.

Three CSEET sessions a year. CSEET now runs in February, June and October instead of four times a year.

More graduates entering directly. With degree holders exempt from CSEET, many students now finish B.Com first and start CS Executive in their final year.

Modern electives. Electives on AI and cyber security laws, ESG and IFSCA reflect where compliance work is heading.

Is CS difficult?

CS is demanding, but it is very manageable with a plan. Most of the syllabus is law and practice, so it rewards students who read carefully, write structured answers and keep up with amendments.

Where students struggle:

• Volume of bare-act reading in Company Law and Securities Laws
• Keeping track of frequent SEBI and MCA amendments
• Writing long answers within 3 hours
• Clearing a whole group in one attempt (the 50% aggregate rule)

Students who revise in cycles, practise past papers and attempt mock tests usually clear each group on the first attempt.

1. Check your entry route. Class 12 students register for CSEET. Graduates and final-year students go straight to CS Executive.
2. Register on the ICSI Smash portal. Register before the deadline for your session and keep your documents ready.
3. Plan your attempt. For CS Executive, aim for both groups in one attempt if you can give 8–10 months to preparation.
4. Join structured coaching and test series. Regular classes, revision and mock tests keep you on track with amendments.
5. Complete training and apply for membership. After CS Professional, finish the practical training and programmes ICSI prescribes.

Career options after CS

A qualified Company Secretary can work as:

• Company Secretary and Compliance Officer in listed and large companies
• Practising Company Secretary, handling secretarial audits, filings and certifications
• Legal and governance advisor in consulting firms and the Big 4
• Compliance roles in banks, NBFCs, stock exchanges and mutual funds
• Insolvency professional after meeting IBBI requirements

Many students combine CS with CA, CMA or a law degree to widen their options.

Who should pursue CS in 2026?

CS may be right for you if:

✅ You enjoy reading and interpreting law ✅ You like structure, rules and attention to detail ✅ You want a corporate role close to the board of directors ✅ You are comfortable with written, theory-heavy exams

CS may not suit you if you prefer numbers-heavy work over legal reading, or you want a course with little theory. In that case, compare it with CA or CMA.

Final verdict: is the CS course worth it in 2026?

Yes, for the right student. Companies are legally required to appoint Company Secretaries, governance and ESG reporting are growing, and the course is now easier to enter for graduates.

Success depends on consistent reading, steady revision and good answer-writing practice. With the right guidance, CS can lead to a respected corporate career.

Explore our CS coaching in Bangalore for CSEET, CS Executive and CS Professional batches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do CS after Class 12?

Yes. After Class 12 you register for CSEET, the CS Executive Entrance Test. Once you pass all four CSEET papers, you can register for CS Executive.

Who is exempt from CSEET?

Graduates and postgraduates in any discipline, CA Final and CMA Final passers, and students who passed the old CS Foundation can register directly for CS Executive. Final-year degree students can also register directly.

How many times a year are CS exams held?

CSEET is held three times a year, in February, June and October. CS Executive and CS Professional exams are held twice a year, in June and December.

Is CSEET online in 2026?

No. From the June 2026 session, CSEET is a pen-and-paper exam at designated centres. January 2026 was the last remote-proctored session.

Can I do CS along with B.Com?

Yes. Many students take CSEET after Class 12 and study CS alongside B.Com, or register directly for CS Executive in their final year of graduation.

Official Sources

• ICSI — Announcement on restructured CSEET (June 2026 onwards)
• ICSI — CSEET information page
• The Institute of Company Secretaries of India — official website

Last checked 18 October 2026. Rules change — always confirm dates and fees on the official website.