COMPANY SECRETARY PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION
CS Professional: governance, judgement and a well-chosen path
Connect governance, drafting, compliance, finance and restructuring through the current Professional programme. Build a group-wise study plan, follow your two elective choices, and practise turning a complicated set of facts into a clear, supported professional response.
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CS Professional at a glance
Official information (opens in a new tab)Institute
Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
Level
Professional Programme
Current syllabus
Syllabus 2022
Paper set
Seven papers across two groups
Group 1
Three core papers plus one Elective 1
Group 2
Two core papers plus one Elective 2
Who this is for
Executive-qualified learners meeting ICSI's Professional registration, examination and pre-exam requirements. Syllabus 2022 is the current route; do not build a 2026 paper plan from the retired Syllabus 2017 modules.
Read the facts. Understand the duty. Explain the professional response.
What connected Professional preparation can build
Use the syllabus to develop a habit of linking governance responsibilities with practical legal and financial judgement.
Governance in context
Relate environmental, social and governance ideas to organisational decisions.
Clear drafting
Make a document's purpose, facts, language and legal basis work together.
Compliance and evidence
Trace a requirement to the records, checks and conclusions that support it.
Two elective choices
Prepare the enrolled option in each group, not every available alternative.
Exam pattern overview
Understand the structure so you can plan your preparation.
Group 1 core
ESG, Drafting/Pleadings/Appearances, and Compliance/Audit/Due Diligence
Elective 1
Select one option from the current six-option list
Includes the IFSCA Regulations, Listing and Compliances option
Group 2 core
Strategic Management/Corporate Finance, and Restructuring/Valuation/Insolvency
Elective 2
Select one option from the current five-option list
Use the option recorded in your enrolment
The old Syllabus 2017 Professional examination ended with June 2025; Syllabus 2022 applies thereafter. Elective menus and assessment instructions can be updated, so verify your chosen options and the term's pre-examination/enrolment requirements. The map shows choices, not sixteen compulsory papers. Check the institute's enrolment notice, syllabus, applicable amendments, exemptions and training requirements for your own examination term. Passing an examination is not the same as completing all qualification or membership requirements.
Official sources checked : ICSI Executive and Professional Syllabus 2022 (opens in a new tab) · ICSI current student-services FAQ: papers, electives and transition (opens in a new tab) · ICSI academic portal and current amendments (opens in a new tab)
Subjects and preparation areas
Follow the current core papers and the elective you have chosen in each group. The visible elective alternatives are explicitly optional; check the latest ICSI menu and term-specific amendments.
Group 1
Three core papers: ESG, Drafting/Pleadings/Appearances, and Compliance/Audit/Due Diligence; plus ONE selected Elective 1 from the current six choices below.
Environmental, Social and Governance — Principles and Practice
Core Paper 1: environmental, social and governance perspectives.
Explore 3 topics
Elective 1: Advanced Direct Tax Laws and Practice
Optional Elective 1 choice; direct-tax specialisation is not compulsory for every candidate.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Advanced Direct Tax
Apply the relevant advanced direct-tax rule to a business case.
Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances
Core Paper 2: drafting and representation.
Explore 2 topics
Compliance Management, Audit and Due Diligence
Core Paper 3: compliance systems, audit and due diligence.
Explore 2 topics
Elective 1: CSR and Social Governance
Optional Elective 1 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
CSR and Social Governance
Connect a social responsibility framework with organisational choices and reporting.
Elective 1: Internal and Forensic Audit
Optional Elective 1 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Internal and Forensic Audit
Distinguish control review from an evidence-led investigation.
Elective 1: Intellectual Property Rights — Law and Practice
Optional Elective 1 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Intellectual Property Rights
Identify the intellectual-property interest and the relevant legal protection.
Elective 1: AI, Data Analytics and Cyber Security — Laws and Practice
Optional Elective 1 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Digital Governance and Cyber Law
Connect data use and digital activity with applicable governance and legal responsibilities.
Elective 1: IFSCA — Regulations, Listing and Compliances
Optional sixth Elective 1 choice in ICSI's current list; confirm availability for your term.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
IFSCA Regulation and Compliance
Identify regulatory, listing and compliance questions in an international financial-services context.
Group 2
Two core papers: Strategic Management/Corporate Finance and Restructuring/Valuation/Insolvency; plus ONE selected Elective 2 from five choices below.
Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency
Core Paper 6: restructuring, valuation and insolvency.
Explore 2 topics
Elective 2: Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation
Optional Elective 2 choice; the retained disputes topic is now oriented to alternative dispute resolution.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Corporate Disputes and Remedies
Compare alternative dispute-resolution approaches and explain an appropriate route.
Strategic Management and Corporate Finance
Core Paper 5: strategy and corporate-finance decisions.
Explore 2 topics
Elective 2: GST and Corporate Tax Planning
Optional Elective 2 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
GST and Corporate Tax Planning
Apply term-specific tax provisions and explain their business implications.
Elective 2: Labour Laws and Practice
Optional Elective 2 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Labour Laws
Identify the employment-law issue and the relevant professional response.
Elective 2: Banking and Insurance — Laws and Practice
Optional Elective 2 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Banking and Insurance Laws
Connect a financial-services situation with the applicable legal framework.
Elective 2: Insolvency and Bankruptcy — Law and Practice
Optional Elective 2 choice; select one option in this group.
Explore 1 topic
- Study
Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Explain the legal issue and stakeholders in an insolvency situation.
This map is a discovery guide, not a substitute for the official syllabus. Eligibility, subject choices and selection rules can differ by cycle or programme.
Try a sample lessonA simple preparation path
Build understanding first. Practise regularly, review your mistakes and keep improving.
- 1
Confirm Syllabus 2022 and your electives
- 2
Connect governance, law and finance
- 3
Practise drafting and case analysis
- 4
Review the evidence behind each conclusion
- 5
Revise your enrolled papers and amendments
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CS Professional FAQ
Clear answers to common preparation questions.
Can I still take Professional under Syllabus 2017?
No. ICSI's current student-services FAQ says June 2025 was the last old-syllabus session and candidates moved to Syllabus 2022 from December 2025 onward. Check any individual exemption or transition record with ICSI.
How many papers must I prepare?
The current programme has seven papers: Group 1 has three core papers and one selected Elective 1; Group 2 has two core papers and one selected Elective 2. Do not count every displayed elective option as compulsory.
Are Advanced Tax Laws compulsory for every candidate?
No. Advanced Direct Tax Laws and Practice is an Elective 1 option under Syllabus 2022. GST and Corporate Tax Planning is a separate Elective 2 option. Follow your actual selections.
What is the current Elective 1 menu?
ICSI's current list has CSR/Social Governance, Internal/Forensic Audit, Intellectual Property Rights, AI/Data Analytics/Cyber Security, Advanced Direct Tax, and IFSCA Regulations/Listing/Compliances. Confirm the menu and your choice before enrolment.
Does passing Professional automatically mean I can practise as a CS?
No. Examination, training, membership and any certificate-of-practice requirements are separate. ICSI determines whether all requirements for your intended professional status have been met.
Build your CS Professional journey with sound judgement.
Choose your starting point and build understanding, one concept at a time.
- Learn clearly
- Practise thoughtfully
- Review and improve