Company Secretary India - Institute of Company Secretary of India

Career as a Company Secretary is both prestigious as well as financially rewarding. Company Secretary commands high position in the value chain and acts as an interface between the company and its Board of Directors, shareholders, government and regulatory authorities. He/She ensures that Board procedures are both followed and regularly reviewed. Company Secretary acts as conscience seeker of the company and guides Chairman and the Directors on their responsibilities under various laws.

As per the section 383A of the Companies Act, 1956, companies with a paid-up share capital of Rs.Two crores or more are compulsorily required to appoint a whole time Company Secretary. Also, every company having a paid-up share capital of Rs.Ten Lakhs or more but less than Rs.Two Crores, is required to engage the services of a Secretary in whole-time practice for issue of compliance Certificate. Hence there are ample career opportunities for Company Secretaries.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) develops and regulates the profession of Company Secretaries in India.

A candidate has to clear three stages to qualify as Company Secretary: (1) Foundation Course, (2) Intermediate Course, and (3) Final Course.

The eligibility to join Foundation Course is pass in 10+2 examination or its equivalent in any stream. The duration of the Foundation Course is 8 months.

The eligibility to join Intermediate Course is a pass in the Foundation Course Examination of the ICSI/Graduation degree or Master's degree/Pass in ICWAI, ICAI. The duration of the Intermediate Course is 9 months. After passing the Intermediate Course, a candidate becomes eligible for admission to Final Course. A candidate who has passed the Final examination of ICSI is required to undergo practical training to become eligible for Associate Membership of the Institute.

The students are required to undergo the following trainings: