Company Secretary (CS)

Overview

Company Secretaries (CS) are corporate governance professionals responsible for ensuring legal, regulatory, and compliance obligations are met at listed and unlisted companies. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) regulates the qualification. CS professionals are mandated as Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) under the Companies Act 2013 for many listed and large companies. SEBI listing regulations, FEMA compliance, M&A advisory, and the rapidly evolving ESG governance landscape have driven sustained demand at corporate houses, law firms, and consulting practices.

Day-to-day responsibilities

Convene and minute board meetings, AGMs, and EGMs; draft board resolutions and shareholder communications; ensure timely filings with ROC, SEBI, RBI, and stock exchanges; advise the board on corporate governance and Companies Act compliance; manage M&A documentation and due diligence; lead FEMA / FDI / ODI compliance; coordinate with external advisors (auditors, lawyers, registrars); maintain statutory registers.

Skills required

• Companies Act 2013 in depth
• SEBI listing regulations and LODR
• FEMA, FDI, ODI compliance
• M&A and corporate restructuring law
• Board governance and minute drafting
• Statutory filings (MCA21, SEBI portals)
• Drafting commercial contracts
• Corporate insolvency (IBC) basics

Education path

Career progression

1. 1
   Trainee CS (during 21-month training)
2. 2
   Junior CS / Compliance Officer (0-4 yrs post-membership)
3. 3
   Company Secretary (4-9 yrs)
4. 4
   Head of Compliance / Senior CS (9-15 yrs)
5. 5
   CS & Compliance Officer (KMP) / GC (15+ yrs)

Top employers in India

Useful certifications

• CS (ICSI Membership)
• LLB (parallel)
• Insolvency Professional (IBBI)
• Registered Valuer (IBBI)
• Diploma in International Business Law (ICSI)

Adjacent careers

Courses that lead to this career