Career As a Company Secretary
· Free Press Journal
By CS Pawan G Chandak, President ICSI.
In today’s fast-moving and regulated corporate world, the role of a Company Secretary (CS) stands as a corner stone of effective corporate functioning. As an expert of law, governance, compliance and strategic management, Company Secretary stands at the intersection of guiding boards and strengthening the company’s ethical practices, governance standards, and stakeholder confidence.
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Offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a premier National Professional Body, responsible for awarding the Company Secretary Membership in India, Company Secretary Profession offers one of the most respected and future-ready career paths in India and abroad.
Recognized under the Companies Act, 2013, Company Secretaries are designated as Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), alongside Managing Directors, CEOs, Whole-time Directors and Chief Financial Officers. The Act also mandates Secretarial Audit to be conducted by a Practising Company Secretary, significantly expanding the professional scope and responsibilities of the profession. In a business environment marked by stringent regulation, digital transformation and global integration, organizations require professionals who can ensure compliance while contributing to strategic growth. The Company Secretary profession offers exactly this blend, driving greater transparency and accountability.
Those who aspire to play a strategic role in corporate decision-making, governance, compliance, and business leadership, career opportunities as a Company Secretary are diverse and flexible, with demand ranging across sectors such as banking, finance, manufacturing, capital markets, IT and multinational corporations. Those inclined towards entrepreneurship and independent practice can obtain a Certificate of Practice and work as Practising Company Secretaries.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recognized the Company Secretary qualification as equivalent to Post Graduate Degree, broadening the professional and academic opportunities for CS members. The ICSI empowers
Another benchmarking received from UK ENIC (Erstwhile UK NARIC), the National Recognition Information Centre based in United Kingdom (UK), responsible for providing informed advice and guidance on vocational, academic, and professional qualifications from over 190 countries worldwide, equates the CS Executive and Professional Programme to Bachelors and Masters in UK & UAE, expanding the recognition for Company Secretaries beyond national territory.
With evolving business landscapes and stricter compliance mandates worldwide, the demand for Company Secretary professionals has risen significantly, making it an ideal gateway to a diverse and rewarding career, that gives respect as well as opportunities for leadership.
Open to students from all academic streams, the Company Secretary Course is one of the most comprehensive, inclusive and accessible professional pathways in India. By clearing Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET), students can enrol into the Company Secretary Course at the Executive Programme Level followed by CS Professional Programme. The entire registration process is online, ensuring transparency and ease for aspirants.
Graduates, Postgraduates, and Final Pass Students of ICAI/ICMAI are however exempted from CSEET, which is now a four-paper test of 100 marks each and is conducted three times a year, in February, June and October. While the offline mode enables students from diverse social backgrounds to transition smoothly into the CS Curriculum, a separate examination for every paper allows more in-depth assessment and better subject coherence.
Both CS Executive and CS Professional Examinations are held twice a year, in June and December at around 200 examination centres in the country and at Overseas Centre in Dubai, to accommodate students from all across.
To groom students into competent governance professionals, the ICSI has mandated a 21-month mandatory practical training with either a Corporate House or a Practising Company Secretary, besides a 1-month Executive Development Programme and a 1-month Corporate Leader Development Programme, besides providing comprehensive study material.
There is a 100% fee concession provided by the ICSI to wards and widows of martyrs from the Indian Armed Forces and para-military forces, for registering in the CS Executive Programme. Besides this, a 100% fee concession is available for students registering from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, a 50% fee concession to students from the North Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Himachal Pradesh and also for SC/ST and physically handicapped category students. A Students Education Fund Trust has also been set up by the ICSI to facilitate meritorious and economically weaker students.
Beyond the distinct statutory recognition, the ICSI empowers its members through various capacity building and leadership programs held by its 78 Chapter Offices and 4 Centres for Corporate Governance, Research and Training (CCGRT) across the length and breadth of the country.
With a rich legacy in India and growing global recognition, the Company Secretary profession is becoming a preferred career option for those aspiring to showcase their capacity as trusted Board Advisors and Integrated Corporate Managers to oversee a broad variety of responsibilities across all functional domains.