CS Professional · exam guide
CS Professional Rules and Regulations
Checked against ICSI's official pages, as of 12 October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm on the official site before you act.
Passing the Professional exam is not enough on its own: Associate membership also needs the full training (EDP, 21-month practical training and CLDP), certified through a Training Clearance Certificate.
- Pre-Examination Test: qualifying the online Pre-Examination Test is mandatory before enrolling for the Professional exam.
- Executive Development Programme (EDP): one month after passing Executive, 15 days online and then 15 days in classroom mode.
- Long-term practical training: 21 months under a Practising Company Secretary, company, LLP or other eligible entity, starting after the Executive pass and the EDP. The training must be registered with ICSI within 30 days of starting, the first two months are probation, and the minimum stipend is Rs 5,000 a month.
- Corporate Leadership Development Programme (CLDP): 30 days (Phase I, 15 days classroom non-residential; Phase II, 15 days classroom residential), open after passing Professional, completing the EDP and completing the 21 months of training.
- Exemption from practical training: after passing Professional, candidates with specified experience (for example, three years as an executive in the secretarial department of an eligible company) can apply for full or partial exemption.
- To apply for Associate membership, students get a single Training Clearance Certificate (TCC) through ICSI's Stimulate portal covering all training completed.
Official sources
CS Professional: questions students ask
When can I register for CS Professional?
After passing the CS Executive Programme. To take both groups in an exam session, register at least six calendar months before the exam month: by 31 May for December, or by 30 November of the previous year for June.
What is the fee for CS Professional registration?
Rs 20,000: an education fee of Rs 19,000 and a Pre-Examination Test fee of Rs 1,000. The exam fee is Rs 1,800 per group.
Are CS Professional electives open book?
Yes. In the December 2026 time table, Elective 1 and Elective 2 are open-book exams.
How long is the practical training for CS?
21 months of long-term practical training after passing Executive and completing the one-month EDP. The 30-day CLDP follows after passing Professional.
What are the passing marks for CS Professional?
At least 40% in each paper and 50% in the aggregate of the group, in one sitting.
When are the December 2026 CS Professional exams?
From 21 to 28 December 2026, 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, with no exam on 25 December.