The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

Name

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

Legal name

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India

Website

https://icsi.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Examination and Registration Fees: ICSI generates revenue through CSEET registration fees (Rs 7,500), examination fees (Rs 1,500), and course registration fees. These are one-time payments for student enrollment and examination cycles.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees and Certificate of Practice (COP) fees for the 80,800+ company secretaries as Associate, Fellow, and practicing members.
3. Publication Sales: Revenue from CS Journal subscriptions, e-books on Companies Act 2013, and other publications through the E-Cart portal.
4. Training and E-Learning: Revenue from specialized training programs, e-learning modules, and professional development courses for members and students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is a statutory professional body that conducts the Company Secretary (CS) course through three stages — CSEET (entrance test), CS Executive Programme, and CS Professional Programme — and certifies practicing Company Secretaries in India. It administers examinations, delivers training and e-learning, issues professional standards, authenticates documents via the UDIN system, and operates member services through digital portals (SMASH, STIMULATE) alongside a network of regional, chapter, and overseas offices.

Product overview

ICSI offers a comprehensive professional education ecosystem for Company Secretaries comprising multiple interconnected programmes and platforms. The core educational pathway includes CSEET (entrance examination), CS Executive Programme, and CS Professional Programme, delivered through a multi-channel approach combining the SMASH Portal for administrative services, STIMULATE Portal for training automation, E-Learning Portal, and Academic Portal for digital learning resources. Supporting services include CS Mitr (student guidance), Placement Portal (career services), and the SEFT (Students Education Fund Trust) for financial assistance. Professional practice support is provided through UDIN (document authentication), ECSIN (identification services), ICSI Standards (professional guidelines), and ICSI ESG Connect (sustainability compliance resources). The ICSI International ADR Centre offers dispute resolution services, while publications like the Chartered Secretary Journal and events including the 5th International Conference and 54th National Convention support continuous professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test) Entrance examination for admission to the Company Secretary programme. Conducted in January, June, and October sessions, requiring minimum 40% marks in each paper and 50% aggregate to qualify. Targeted at Class 12 pass students, undergraduates, and graduates aspiring to become Company Secretaries.
• CS Executive Programme Intermediate-level professional programme in company secretarial practice, covering company law, cost and management accounting, tax laws, capital markets, and industrial laws. Conducted in December and June sessions in offline mode. Targeted at students who have qualified CSEET.
• CS Professional Programme Advanced-level professional programme with modules in advanced company law, secretarial audit, corporate restructuring, information systems, financial management, and ethics. Includes open-book elective papers in banking, insurance, and intellectual property rights. Targeted at students who have completed the Executive Programme.
• SMASH Portal Student and member services portal providing online registration, examination enrollment, complaint tracking, order tracking, subscription management, and password reset functionalities. Serves as the primary gateway for students and members to access ICSI services.
• STIMULATE Portal Training automation portal handling company/PCS registration, training management, event registration, faculty empanelment, UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number) generation, and ECSIN (Enhanced Company Secretary Identification Number) services.
• Corporate Mitra Scheme Training programme that creates a pool of certified para-professionals to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with business and regulatory compliance. Delivered via 150 hours of online learning on SWAYAM Plus followed by six months of on-the-job training. Course fees set at Rs 3,000 plus GST with concessions for women and candidates from specified regions.
• ICSI International ADR Centre Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centre established to address judicial backlogs and improve dispute resolution efficiency. Initial setup in Noida with expansion planned to major Indian cities and international hubs in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and London.
• Chartered Secretary Journal Professional journal offering insights on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and industry developments. Available through subscription with digital and physical delivery options for members and subscribers.
• Placement Portal Job placement service connecting qualified Company Secretaries with employment opportunities across corporate sectors.
• ICSI Students Education Fund Trust (SEFT) Financial assistance programme supporting economically backward and academically bright students pursuing the Company Secretary course through scholarships and fee waivers.
• CS Mitr Student guidance and support service where registered CS Mitr representatives contact prospective students to provide course information and enrollment assistance.
• UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number) Digital certification service for authenticating and tracking documents signed by Company Secretaries under their Digital Signature Certificates, enhancing compliance and preventing misuse.
• ECSIN (Enhanced Company Secretary Identification Number) Enhanced identification system for Company Secretaries providing verified digital credentials for professional authentication.
• ICSI ESG Connect Platform providing resources, guidance, and updates on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance and reporting requirements for company secretaries and corporate governance professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 1,000 dropouts rejoined CS course within months of amnesty scheme launch
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IIT MadrascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026ICSI signed MoU with IIT Madras along with IIT Pravartak, SWAYAM Plus, ICAI, and ICMAI to operationalize the Corporate Mitra scheme. The initiative aims to create a pool of certified para-professionals to support MSMEs with business and regulatory compliance through 150 hours of online learning followed by six months of on-the-job training.
• ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Partnership with ICAI as part of the Corporate Mitra scheme announced in Union Budget 2026-27. The three professional bodies (ICAI, ICSI, ICMAI) are working together to design modular courses for MSME upskilling.
• ICMAI (Institute of Cost Accountants of India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Partnership with ICMAI as part of the Corporate Mitra scheme. The professional bodies are collaborating to train para-professionals for MSMEs across India.
• SWAYAM PluscoreTechnology or Integration · 25 June 2026SWAYAM Plus serves as the online learning platform for the Corporate Mitra scheme, providing approximately 150 hours of expert-led online learning sessions.
• Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026MCA is facilitating the Corporate Mitra scheme implementation through a steering committee and nationwide rollout. The scheme was announced in Union Budget 2026-27 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• BharathCloudmajorTechnology or Integration · 23 June 2026Two-year partnership with BharathCloud, India's sovereign AI cloud provider, to offer purpose-built cloud solutions to Company Secretaries and ICSI members nationwide. Members gain access to cloud infrastructure with tailored pricing, encrypted client data storage, automated backups, and 24/7 multi-location support with India-hosted data residency.
• Digital Trust Infrastructure India (DTII)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2026DTII's Trust Box and companion app received ICSI's institutional endorsement as a trust partner. The 4A framework (Authentication, Authorization, Audit, Assurance) addresses the accountability gap in India's digital signature ecosystem.
• International ADR Centre NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2026ICSI plans to establish an international Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution starting in Noida with expansion to international hubs in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and London to address judicial backlogs and streamline dispute resolution.
• Bengaluru UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Partnership to introduce industry-oriented certificate courses aimed at enhancing students' employability and industry readiness. The initiative includes courses in skill development and artificial intelligence, emphasizing practical and technological competencies.
• AU Small Finance BankmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 January 2026Partnership to offer exclusive banking and credit card solutions tailored for company secretaries across the country. Members gain access to curated current and savings account offerings and a profession-relevant credit card. The agreement also aims to create employment opportunities for company secretaries within the bank.
• GMU (George Mason University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMU-ICSI MBA program offering international education collaboration for ICSI members and students.
• ICSI-Singapore International Governance InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration for governance professional development and training.
• ICSI IIP (Institute of Insolvency Professionals)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSection 8 company under ICSI focused on insolvency professional services and training.
• ICSI RVO (Registered Valuers Organisation)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSection 8 company providing registered valuers organization services under ICSI.
• ICSI ISA (Institute of Social Auditors)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInstitute for social auditors training and certification under ICSI.
• Institute of Governance Professionals of India (IGPI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute focused on governance professional development and standards in India.
• ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational body for company secretaries providing mutual recognition and collaboration for governance professionals globally.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI): ICAI is the statutory national professional body for Chartered Accountants in India, established by an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It is ICSI's closest structural peer, jointly partnering on the Corporate Mitra scheme and serving an analogous membership, examination and regulatory mandate for a parallel profession.
• Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI): ICMAI is the statutory professional body for Cost and Management Accountants in India, established under the Cost and Works Accountants Act. It mirrors ICSI's role across training, examination and member regulation, and is a co-partner in the Corporate Mitra MSME upskilling scheme.
• ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators): ICSA (now part of the Chartered Governance Institute) is the UK's chartered body for company secretaries and governance professionals. ICSI has an existing MoU with ICSA for mutual recognition, making it the most direct international counterpart for cross-border professional credentials and governance standards.

Broad incumbents

• Bar Council of India: The Bar Council of India is the statutory regulatory body for legal practice and legal education in India, established under the Advocates Act. It shares ICSI's structure as a Parliament-established professional regulator overseeing examinations, enrollment, and standards for a regulated profession.
• National Medical Commission (formerly Medical Council of India): The NMC is the statutory regulator for medical education and medical professionals in India. It serves as a broad incumbent comparable to ICSI in its role as a government-recognized body that certifies, trains and governs members of a regulated profession under national legislation.

Emerging players

• Institute of Actuaries of India: The Institute of Actuaries of India is the statutory professional body for actuaries, established under the Actuaries Act 2006. It is comparable to ICSI in scope (small but exclusive member base, statutory recognition, examination-led qualification) and serves as a parallel emerging professional institute under the Indian regulatory architecture.

Regional players

• CFA Institute: CFA Institute is a global not-for-profit professional body issuing the Chartered Financial Analyst credential, with operations in India serving investment professionals. It overlaps ICSI's role as a globally-recognized certification authority and is relevant for cross-border professional credentialing competition.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): ACCA is a UK-based global body for chartered certified accountants with significant India operations. It mirrors ICSI's exam-and-membership business model in an adjacent profession and competes for the same pool of commerce graduates seeking professional credentials in India.

Others

• ICAI (Institute of Corporate Accountants Ireland): ICAI Ireland is a professional accountancy body offering corporate accounting certifications. While less prominent in India, it represents the type of international professional certification body that competes with ICSI-affiliated credentials for cross-border professional recognition.
• National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM): NISM is a SEBI-established public trust that provides certification and training for securities market professionals in India. It is adjacent to ICSI because both certify finance and compliance professionals in India, and NISM certifications are increasingly required for corporate compliance roles overlapping with Company Secretary work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/indiacs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TheCsInstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/icsi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theicsi
• Instagraminstagram.com/theicsi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)