ICSI Exam 2026

The ICSI CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test) is the entry-level examination for students aspiring to become Company Secretaries in India. Conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, it is a mandatory qualifying test for registration to the CS Executive Program.

• Exam Name: CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test)
• Conducting Body: Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
• Exam Frequency: Four times a year (January, May, July, and November)
• Exam Level: National Level
• Mode of Exam: Online Remote Proctored Mode
• Language: English

The ICSI 2026 exams are scheduled across four cycles. Below are the tentative dates for the 2026 sessions:

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is a premier professional body in India, constituted under the Company Secretaries Act, 1980. It functions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. The institute regulates the profession of Company Secretaries and provides high-quality education to students across the country.

The full form of ICSI is the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. It is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries.

Previously, the entry-level exam for the CS course was the CS Foundation program. However, to streamline the process and ensure a higher standard of candidates, the ICSI introduced the CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test) in 2020. Over the years, the exam has transitioned to a computer-based remote proctored format, allowing students to take the exam from the comfort of their homes.

The eligibility criteria for the ICSI CSEET 2026 are as follows:

• Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the 10+2 (Senior Secondary) examination or equivalent.
• Graduates and Postgraduates who were previously exempt are now required to qualify for CSEET to enter the Executive Program (subject to specific ICSI exemptions for toppers).
• There is no minimum age limit to appear for the CSEET.
• Candidates must be Indian Nationals.

The application process for ICSI 2026 is entirely online. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official ICSI website: www.icsi.edu.
2. Click on the 'Online Services' tab and select 'Register for CSEET'.
3. Fill in the basic details (Name, DOB, Email, Mobile Number).
4. Upload required documents (Photo, Signature, 10+2 Certificate).
5. Pay the application fee (Standard fee is ₹1,000 for general candidates).
6. Download the registration confirmation for future reference.

The CSEET 2026 exam comprises four major subjects:

• Paper 1: Business Communication
• Paper 2: Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning
• Paper 3: Economic and Business Environment
• Paper 4: Current Affairs and Quantitative Aptitude

The ICSI 2026 syllabus is designed to test the foundational knowledge required for corporate governance:

• Business Communication: Grammar, Vocabulary, Business Correspondence, and E-Correspondence.
• Legal Aptitude: Indian Constitution, Elements of General Laws, Elements of Company Secretaries Legislation, and Elements of Company Law.
• Logical Reasoning: Calendars, Cause and Effect, Coding-Decoding, and Verbal Reasoning.
• Economics: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and the Indian Economy.
• Business Environment: Entrepreneurship Scenario and Business Environment.
• Current Affairs: National and International importance, and Quantitative Aptitude basics.

The ICSI 2026 CSEET follows a specific pattern:

• Mode: Online Remote Proctored Test.
• Duration: 120 Minutes (2 Hours).
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Total Marks: 200 Marks.
• Marking Scheme: No negative marking.
• Number of Questions: 140 Questions.

The admission process involves three distinct stages to become a Company Secretary:

1. CSEET: The entrance test for 10+2 students.
2. Executive Programme: Only students who clear CSEET can register for this stage.
3. Professional Programme: The final stage of the course, accessible after clearing the Executive level.
4. Practical Training: A mandatory 21-month training period.

ICSI is a centralized professional body; however, the University Grants Commission (UGC) recognizes the CS qualification as equivalent to a Post Graduate degree. This allows CS professionals to pursue Ph.D. programs in various universities across India, including top Central and State Universities like Delhi University, Mumbai University, and others.

The results for ICSI 2026 CSEET are typically announced within 10 to 15 days of the exam date. Results are published on the official ICSI website. Candidates can download their formal e-Result-cum-Marks Statement immediately after the announcement. No physical mark sheets are sent by post.

Once a candidate qualifies for the CSEET 2026:

• They must register for the CS Executive Programme within the stipulated time.
• The CSEET result is valid for one year from the date of declaration.
• Candidates can start preparing for the Executive modules (Module I and Module II).

ICSI does not conduct a traditional 'counselling' session like engineering or medical exams. Instead, the process involves Registration and Orientation. Qualified candidates register online for the next level, choose their study material preference (Physical or E-book), and attend mandatory orientation programs organized by regional chapters.

To pass the ICSI CSEET 2026, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

• A minimum of 40% marks in each of the four papers individually.
• An aggregate of 50% marks across all papers combined.

Note: ICSI exams are conducted by the Institute itself, not NTA. For official queries, contact:

• Address: ICSI House, 22, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi - 110003
• Helpdesk: 0120-4522000
• Website: www.icsi.edu
• Support Portal: support.icsi.edu