Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.
This examination is Stage 3 of 3 in the official professional qualification pathway. Candidates must systematically complete all stages, training modules, and examinations to be admitted into the professional body.
Must have passed CS Executive Programme
21 Months Long-Term Training under PCS / Corporate + CLDP completion for ACS Membership
Official Overview & Examination Scope
Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact
The final phase of the ICSI qualification pathway. CS Professional shapes candidates into chief governance professionals, corporate legal counsel, and company secretaries. Completing CS Professional, along with the mandatory 21-month training and Corporate Leadership Development Programme (CLDP), confers the title of Associate Company Secretary (ACS).
Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
Total: 700 Marks (400 in Group 1, 300 in Group 2)| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 - Paper 1: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) - Principles & Practice | Descriptive Analysis | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Group 1 - Paper 2: Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances | Legal Drafting & Court Pleas | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Group 1 - Paper 3: Compliance Management, Audit & Due Diligence | Secretarial Audit & Due Diligence | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Group 1 - Paper 4: Elective 1 (CSR, Internal Audit, etc.) | Open Book Examination | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Group 2 - Paper 5: Strategic Management & Corporate Finance | Financial Strategy & Valuations | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Group 2 - Paper 6: Corporate Restructuring, Valuation & Insolvency | M&A, IBC 2016 Case Studies | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
| Group 2 - Paper 7: Elective 2 (Arbitration, Banking, IP, etc.) | Open Book Examination | 100 Marks | 3 Hours |
Minimum 40% marks in each paper and 50% aggregate marks in all papers of a group.
Negative Marking Rule: No negative marking
Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark
National pass rates typically vary from 10% to 19% across groups. Pass rule: 40% minimum in each paper, 50% group aggregate.
Participating Institutes / Career Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of a Company Secretary in a listed company?
Under Section 203 of the Companies Act 2013 and SEBI LODR, every listed company and large public company must mandate a qualified Company Secretary as a Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) responsible for board governance and legal compliance.
What are the elective papers in CS Professional?
Electives allow specialization in high-demand domains like CSR and Social Governance, Internal and Forensic Audit, Arbitration and Conciliation, or Banking and Insurance Law.
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