ICSI that stands for Institute of Company Secretaries of India has recently taken a big step to introduce a major change in the curriculum of ICSI CS programme. It actually discontinued the CS Foundation Programme. ICSI just not only discontinued the program, but the programme has been also replaced with a test, named as “CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET)”.
Now, The qualifying test “CSEET” will be mandatory for registration to Executive Programme for all categories of students. However, there are also some exemption which has been given to a few categories.
However, the existing students of the Foundation programme are eligible to appear in the exam until the expiry of the validity of their registration. Such students after passing the Foundation programme may register for Executive programme as per the existing process.
From now, Graduate or postgraduate aspirants who were eligible for the registration directly to the Executive programme will also have to qualify the CSEET to become eligible for registration to the Programme.
The curriculum was initially introduced by ICSI in September which is implemented this year now. It is introduced to ensure students have the necessary level of aptitude and skills to become successful professionals.
CSEET: Eligibility & Exemption
Interested aspirants who have completed 12th standard, are eligible to take ICSI CSEET exam.
However, students from the following categories are exempted from appearing from CSEET and can proceed for registration directly to Executive Programme.
- CS Foundation Programme passed students
- ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) Final Course passed students
- ICMAI (The Institute of Cost Accountants of India) Final Course passed students
CSEET Exam Scheme
- The ICSI CSEET is an online Computer-based Test, and the exam will contain Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), audio clips, video clips, and descriptive questions.
- The Exam duration will be 135 minutes, in which 120 Minutes will be for MCQ test and 15 minutes for Viva-Voce.
- There is no negative marking.
- Candidates need to secure an aggregate of 50% and 40% in each subject in CSEET.
CSEET Exam Syllabus
The Complete details of subjects covered under CSEET are listed below.
- Paper 1: Business Communication
- Paper 2: Legal Aptitude & Logical Reasoning
- Paper 3: Economic and Business Environment
- Paper 4: Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills
Along with discontinued the CS Foundation Programme, the provisional registration to Executive Programme has been also discontinued. ICSI has introduced ‘Continuation of Registration’ in which students need to keep their registration renewed from time to time even after passing Professional Programme. It will cost Rs 1000 per year.
Click here to check the official notice : www.icsi.edu/
Let’s Go Faq On The New Regulations Including CSEET
Q.1 Will the new admissions to Foundation Programme ended when the new regulations / CS Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) will be introduced?
Ans: Yes. New admissions to Foundation Program will be ended after the introduction of new guidelines and the CS EXECUTIVE ENTRANCE TEST will be introduced as a qualifying test for registration to Executive Programme.
Q.2 – Can the Graduates / Post Graduates (Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Holders can seek registration directly to the Executive Programme?
Ans: No. The Graduates / Post Graduates should first qualify the CSEET for seeking registration to the Executive Programme.
Q.3 – Is there any category of students who are exempted from qualifying CSEET for seeking registration to Executive Programme?
Ans: Yes. According to the current rules, students from the following categories are exempted from qualifying CSEET, they are considered eligible to seek registration directly.
- Company Secretaries Foundation Programme passed students.
- ICAI (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) Final Course passed students.
- ICMAI (The Institute of Cost Accountants of India) Final Course passed students
Q.4-What is the revised Fee Structure for registration to Executive Programme?
Ans : The complete revised Fee Structure for registration to Executive Programme is engraved in table below.
| Particulars | Fee Payable (Rs.) | |||
| CSEET passed | CS Foundation passed | ICAI Final passed | ICMAI Final passed | |
| Registration Fee | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| Education Fee | 6500 | 6500 | 6500 | 6500 |
| CSEET Exemption Fee | Nil | Nil | 5000 | 5000 |
| Pre- Exam Test Fee | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 | 1000 |
| One Day Orientation Prog. Fee | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 |
| Chartered Secretary Journal Subscription (Optional) for one year | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Total | 10600 | 10600 | 15600 | 15600 |
Q.5 Is there any exemption fee relevant for such exempted categories of students?
Ans : Yes. ICAI and ICMAI Final Course passed students need to pay Exemption Fee of Rs.5000/- while registering for Executive Programme. However, CS Foundation Programme students don’t have to pay any exemption fee.
Q.6 – Is there any schedule of Organizing CSEET?
Ans: Yes, The tentative schedule for Organizing CSEET is given in the table below:
| Month of Examination | Registration Period for CSEET | CSEET Exam Dates | Last Date for Result Declaration | Cut-off releasing date of registration in CS Executive Program |
| May | 21st January to 15th April | On Saturday(which is close to 10thMay) | By 20thMay | 31st May (for appearing in both modules of Executive Program in December session in same year) |
| July | 21st May to 15th June | On Saturday(which is close to 10th July) | By 20th July | 31 July (for appearing in single module of Executive Program in December session in same year) |
| November | 21st July to 15th Oct | On Saturday(which is close to 10th Nov) | By 20th November | 30 Nov (for appearing in both modules of Executive Program in June session in next year) |
| January | 21st November to 15th Dec | On Saturday(which is close to 10th January) | By 20th January | 31 Jan (for appearing in single module of Executive Program in June session in same year) |
Q.7 – What is the registration fee to CSEET?
Ans: The registration fee for CSEET will be Rs.1000/- per session.
Q.8 – When will be the first CSEET will be organised?
Ans: Ans: The first CSEET is expected to be organised in May, 2020.
Q.9 – Is there any category based concession in Registration Fee for CSEET?
Ans: The following table represents the complete details of concessions:
| Category | Concession |
| SC/ST | 50% |
| Physically Handicapped | 50% |
| Wards & Widows of Martyrs and Defence Service Personnel with Permanent Disability | 100% |
| Serving / Retired Personnel of Defence Services and Paramilitary Forces | 50% |
| ICSI Staff and Wards / Spouse of ICSI Staff | 75% |
| ICLS Officers/ Officers & Staff of MCA and affiliated offices (NCLT, SFIO and CCI) | 100% |
| Students belong to the North Eastern States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep (the similar scheme is expected to being introduced for the Students of Himachal Pradesh) | 50% |
| Students belonging to the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladhak | 100% |
Q.10 – Which subjects are covered in CSEET Exam Syllabus?
(i) Paper 1: Business Communication (50 marks);
Paper 2: Legal Aptitude & logical Reasoning (50 marks);
Paper 3: Economic and Business Environment (50 marks);
Paper 4: Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills (50 marks)
Your application status will be visible on the screen:
Q.11 – What is the exam scheme of CSEET?
Ans: It will be an online Computer-based Test of 200 marks comprising of MCQs, audio clips, video clips, and descriptive questions. The time duration of the CSEET test will be 135 minutes (120 Minutes for MCQ test and 15 minutes for Viva-Voce)
Q.12 – What will be the qualifying criteria of CSEET?
Ans: The qualifying criteria will be an aggregate of 50% and minimum 40% marks in each subject.
Q.13 – Will there be negative marking in CSEET?
Ans: No.
Q.14 – Will there be Viva Voce as part of Paper No. 4 i.e. Current Affairs, Presentation and Communication Skills?
Ans: The Current Affairs will be a computer-based Test carrying 20 marks (out of 50 Marks) and Viva Voce (Presentation and Communication Skills) will be for a duration of 15 Minutes carrying 30 Marks.
Q.15 – Will there be any possibilities of change in the cut-off dates for registration to Executive and Professional Programmes for appearing in the examinations?
Ans: Yes. The revised dates shall be as under :
| For June Session | For All Modules | 30th November (previous year) |
| For One Module | 31st January (same year) | |
| For December Session | For All Modules | 31st May (same year) |
| For One Module | 31st July (same year) |
Q.16 – Will the students be allowed provisionally register for Executive Programme?
Ans: No. All the Provisional Registration will be cancelled on the introduction of new guidelines
Q.17 – Will the students be required to qualify the Pre-Examination Test before seeking enrollment to Executive and Professional Programme Examinations?
Ans : Yes. Students registered under Syllabus 2017 (including those switched over to Syllabus 2017 from earlier syllabus) and onwards will be required to qualify Pre-Examination Test before seeking enrollment to Executive and Professional Programme Examinations.
Q.18 – Is there any change in the dates for seeking examination enrollment to Executive & Professional Programme Examinations?
Ans : No, there is no change in the cut-off dates for seeking examination enrollment.
| Session | Period to submit examination form and fee | Period to submit examination form and fee (with prescribed fee) |
| June | The online examination enrollment window isopened tentatively on 26th February and the students may submit the forms upto 25th March | Students may submit the examination form during 26th March to 9th April with Late Fee. |
| December | The online examination enrollment window isopened tentatively on 26th August and the students may submit the forms upto 25th September | Students may submit the examination form during 26th September to 10th October with Late Fee. |
Q.19 – Is there any change in the dates for submission of requests for change in examination enrollment (Centre, Medium and Module)?
Ans: es. Students shall be allowed to submit requests for such change prior to 30 days from the date of commencement of examinations
Q.20 – If the enrollment is expiring for a session Shall the candidate will be allowed to submit the examination enrollment applications for the next session without renewing the registration?
Ans: No. The registration will be considered invalid.
Q.21 – What are the guidelines of Re-Registration?
Ans: The guidelines in brief for Re-registration are as under :
- The Re-Registration will be relevant for students who have passed the Executive Programme/ Intermediate Course of CS Course under any earlier syllabus and are not eligible for Registration Denovo.
- If students whose registrations have terminated but failed to submit an application for Registration Denovo within five years of expiry of their former registration, they may still seek Re-registration to Professional Programme if and only if they have passed Intermediate Course/ Executive Programme under any earlier syllabus.
- The Re-registration will be legitimate for a time of five years and such students may seek Registration Denovo or Re-registration according to the relevant process.
- The Re-registration will be effective from the date of such Re-registration.In the event that student has passed a few papers of professional program examination under his earlier registration, then he/she is eligible for corresponding paper-wise exemptions if any approved by the Council from time to time, under the current syllabus of Professional Programme after availing re-registration.
Q.22 – Does it really require to keep my registration renewed from time to time even after passing the Professional Programme till completing the training requirements and become a Member of the Institute?
Ans : Yes. everyone will have to keep their registration renewed at all times till completing the training requirements and become a Member of the Institute.
Q.23 – Has the Extension of Registration has been discontinued?
Ans: Yes the Extension of Registration has been discontinued.
Q.24 – What is the fee for “Continuation of Registration”?
Fee for “Continuation of Registration” is Rs.1000/- per year.
Q.25 – What is the Education Fee payable by the various categories of students to the Executive Programme?
Ans: It is Rs.6500/-.
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