A CS course is a professional qualification that equips individuals with the skills and knowledge required to manage the legal, regulatory, and compliance aspects of a company. Offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), a CS course covers a wide range of subjects including corporate law, tax laws, governance, company finance, and ethics. CS course typically involves multiple levels of exams, along with practical training, to prepare candidates for the complex responsibilities they will assume in a corporate environment.

To be eligible for the CS course, a candidate needs to pass Class 12 as a minimum qualification. Generally, there are three stages in becoming a CS, i.e. - Foundation Level (replaced by CSEET), Executive Level and Professional Level. Admission to the CS course is open throughout the year, while the CS exam is held twice a year. The CS course spans 8 months for the CS Foundation, 9 months for the CS Executive, and 15 months for the CS Professional levels.  

Some of the top colleges that provide the CS course are Jain Deemed-to-be University, ICSI Delhi, SRM (Chennai), Institute of Distance Education, etc. As per the latest guidelines shared by UGC in Mar'21, the CS course will be now considered equivalent to a Master's degree. Students also have the option to opt for higher studies in the research field.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) regulates and maintains the profession of Company Secretaries. The ICSI provides training and education to lakhs of aspiring Company Secretaries. At present, there are more than 65,000 members and about 2,50,000 students on the rolls of ICSI.