CS Professional · exam guide

How the CS Professional Exam Is Conducted

Checked against ICSI's official pages, as of 12 October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm on the official site before you act.

Seven descriptive pen-and-paper papers of 100 marks and 3 hours each, in two groups. Each group has one elective, and the electives are open-book.

• Group 1: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) - Principles and Practice; Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances; Compliance Management, Audit and Due Diligence; Elective 1.
• Elective 1 (choose one): CSR and Social Governance; Internal and Forensic Audit; Intellectual Property Rights - Law and Practice; Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security - Laws and Practice; Advanced Direct Tax Laws and Practice; IFSCA - Regulations, Listing and Compliances.
• Group 2: Strategic Management and Corporate Finance; Corporate Restructuring, Valuation and Insolvency; Elective 2.
• Elective 2 (choose one): Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation; Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Corporate Tax Planning; Labour Laws and Practice; Banking and Insurance - Laws and Practice; Insolvency and Bankruptcy - Law and Practice.
• Elective papers are open-book exams (December 2026 time table).
• Each paper is a descriptive written paper of 3 hours. There are no MCQ or OMR papers and no negative marking.
• In the December 2026 time table, papers run from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, with 15 minutes (2:00 to 2:15 PM) of extra time to read the question paper.
• Persons with disability (minimum 40% permanent disability) can apply for a scribe and/or extra time of 20 minutes per hour.