The Institute of Company Secretaries of India constituted under an Act of Parliament i.e. the Company Secretaries Act, 1980 is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India. and to award the certificate bestowing the designation of Company Secretary to a candidate qualifying for membership of the Institute.

Vision

"To be a global leader in promoting Good Corporate Governance"

Mission

"To develop high calibre professionals facilitating good Corporate Governance"

Headquarter

The Institute has its headquarter at New Delhi and four regional offices at New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai. In addition, the Institute has under jurisdiction of its Regional Council(s) 70 Chapters located in various cities of India.

Management of ICSI

Council

The affairs of the Institute are managed by a Council consisting of fifteen elected members and five nominees of the Central Government of India.

President

The President is the Chief Executive Authority of the Council. Head of the Institute

Functions of a Company Secretary

Under Companies Act 2013, a Company Secretary has a primary duty to ensure all compliances. CS (Company Secretary) is specifically designated as an officer who is in default under Companies Act 2013, along with the whole time and managing directors. Under the Companies Act 2013, “Company Secretary” has also been brought within the ambit of Key Managerial Personnel giving them the long deserved recognition of a Key Managerial Personnel of the Company.

Membership

A person desiring to qualify for membership of the ICSI is required to pass the CS course structured by the ICSI and comply with other requirements laid down in the Company Secretaries Regulations, 1982 as amended from time to time.

Associate Member

A person who passed the Professional Programme examination of the Institute and has completed practical training requirements shall be entitled to get himself enrolled as an Associate Member. On his admission to Associateship, he is entitled to use the descriptive letter "ACS" after his name.

Fellow Member

A person is entitled to get himself enrolled as a Fellow if he is an Associate Member for at least five years, he is entitled to use the descriptive letter "FCS" after his name to denote that he is a Fellow Member of the Institute.

Stages

The CS Course has the following four stages:

1. Foundation Programme,
2. Executive Programme,
3. Professional Programme and
4. Training (24 months Duration).

Examination

The Institute's examinations are held twice a year in June and December. The exam is of three hours duration and carries 100 marks.