UXL Exams
UXL Exams
CS
Executive
Build the legal and governance expertise at the heart of CS.
CS Executive
CS Executive is the second and intermediate level of the three-level CS professional qualification offered by ICSI. It follows the CSEET for most candidates, though graduates, CA Final holders, and CMA Final holders may enter the CS Executive directly without completing the CSEET. Upon clearing both groups of CS Executive, candidates become eligible to register for CS Professional — the final level that leads to ICSI membership and the CS designation. The operative syllabus for CS Executive is the 2022 syllabus, which has been mandatory for all candidates since December 2025. The previous 2017 syllabus was discontinued after June 2024 and is no longer available to new candidates. The 2022 syllabus covers core areas including company law, taxation, capital markets, commercial law, financial management, and economic law. These subjects represent the intermediate professional knowledge required before advancing to the specialised areas of CS Professional (ESG, insolvency, strategic finance, and elective specialisations). CS Executive requires candidates to clear seven papers divided into two groups — this creates a substantive examination load and is recognised as the most difficult level of the CS programme in terms of pass rate (~19%). Candidates may attempt both groups in the same session or pace their attempts differently, providing flexibility in scheduling.
- CSEET Clearers: Candidates who have cleared CSEET and are progressing through the CS programme in the standard sequence.
- Graduates in Any Discipline (except Fine Arts): Holders of a bachelor's degree or higher, regardless of their field of study (commerce, science, engineering, humanities, management, etc.), may enter CS Executive directly without CSEET. This recognition reflects that graduates possess sufficient foundational knowledge and discipline to handle intermediate-level professional content.
- Final-Year / Final-Semester Undergraduate Students: Candidates in their final year or final semester of graduation may register for CS Executive even before their degree is formally conferred, provided they can demonstrate enrolment in a recognised university.
- CA Final and CMA Final Holders: Chartered Accountants and Cost Management Accountants are recognised as having equivalent foundational and intermediate knowledge and may enter CS Executive with a ₹5,000 exemption fee.
- Working Professionals: Individuals employed in legal, finance, compliance, corporate governance, or related fields who hold a degree and seek a recognised professional qualification in corporate law and governance.
- CS Executive is particularly suited for career changers, law graduates, commerce graduates, and compliance professionals seeking specialised expertise in corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
One of the most accessible certifications in India.
The eligibility criteria for CS Executive vary based on your background. The following table outlines the main entry routes:
Nationality: The course is open to Indian nationals; NRIs may apply subject to ICSI guidelines.
- 1No prior background in law, finance, or commerce is required beyond the eligibility qualification
- 2Examinations are conducted in English; basic proficiency is expected
- 3No work experience is required to register
- 4The mandatory 21 months of practical training is a separate requirement -it can be completed at any point, including after clearing all professional exams
- 5Registration must be completed through ICSI's official portal at icsi.edu
CS Executive uses a performance-based exemption system that is a significant benefit for candidates: Exemption Threshold: Any candidate scoring 60 marks or above (60%+) in an individual paper within a group is automatically granted an exemption from re-appearing in that specific paper in all future attempts. Automatic Carry-Forward: The exemption carries forward automatically across all future attempts, even if the overall group is not cleared. For example, if a candidate scores 65 marks in Paper 1 but fails Paper 2 in their first attempt, the exemption for Paper 1 is retained. In their next attempt, they must retake the failed group but are exempt from Paper 1 and only sit Papers 2, 3, and 4. Applies to Both Groups: This exemption system applies to papers in both Group 1 and Group 2. Candidates build exemptions progressively as they clear individual papers. Negative Marking Caveat: Papers with a 20% objective section (20 marks) include negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Candidates should be strategic: attempting only questions they are confident about can help secure the 60-mark threshold. Reckless guessing can lower scores below the exemption threshold. This exemption system is a powerful strategic tool — candidates can focus on weak papers while building a fortress of exemptions in strong papers.
CA Final (ICAI): Exempt from CSEET; direct entry to CS Executive with ₹5,000 registration fee
CMA Final (ICMAI): Exempt from CSEET; direct entry to CS Executive with ₹5,000 registration fee
Graduate / Post-Graduate (any stream except Fine Arts): Direct entry to CS Executive -Foundation level not required
Within CS Executive itself, there are NO paper-wise waivers based on external qualifications. CA Final, CMA Final, and graduate candidates enter CS Executive but must clear all papers (subject to the exemption system above) — no papers are waived outright based on their prior qualification.
Pattern, marking & retake policy.
CS Executive is conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode only at ICSI-designated exam centres across India. There is no online or CBT option. All papers are held in the morning shift from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM. Candidates must carry their admit card and a valid photo ID to the exam centre.
Each paper is 3 hours 15 minutes in total -this includes 15 minutes of reading time provided before the exam begins, during which candidates may read through the question paper but not write. The actual writing time is 3 hours per paper.
ICSI conducts CS Executive exams twice a year across two fixed sessions: June session — June 1 to June 8 — 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM (includes 15 min reading time); December session — December 22 to December 29 — 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM (includes 15 min reading time). June 2026 session enrollment deadline (without late fee): 25 March 2026. December 2026 session — both groups registration: February 1 to May 31, 2026. December 2026 session — single group registration: June 1 to July 31, 2026.
- Minimum 40% marks in each individual paper within the group.
- Minimum 50% aggregate across all papers within that group.
- Both conditions must be met at the same time — clearing one without the other does not constitute a pass for that group. There are no category-wise cut-offs beyond the above.
- For Group 1: At least 40% in each of Papers 1, 2, 3, and 4 individually, AND at least 200 marks (50% of 400) in total.
- For Group 2: At least 40% in each of Papers 5, 6, and 7 individually, AND at least 150 marks (50% of 300) in total.
- Cleared Groups Retention: Once a group is cleared, it remains cleared permanently. If a candidate clears Group 1 in June 2026 but fails Group 2, they do NOT need to retake Group 1 in the next session. They only register and appear for Group 2 again. This is a major advantage — candidates can pace their preparation strategically.
- Negative marking (0.25 per wrong answer) applies only to the 20% objective section of Papers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7.
- There is no negative marking for descriptive answers in any paper.
- Paper 4 (100% descriptive) has no negative marking at all.
- No cap on the total number of attempts
- If one module is cleared and the other is failed, only the failed module needs to be retaken -the cleared module is not forfeited
- Papers in which a candidate scores 60 or above carry forward as exemptions in all future attempts -the candidate need not reappear in those papers
- No mandatory cooling-off period between attempts
- Exam enrollment opens fresh each session and requires a new application and fee payment
How to register for CS Executive.
All registrations are handled online through the official ICSI portal at icsi.edu or the ICSI SMASH portal at smash.icsi.edu. There is no offline registration route.
Source: Direct from ICSI portal
What you get & how to stay current.
- Clearing both modules of CS Executive does not award a standalone certificate or designation. It qualifies the candidate to register for CS Professional -the final level of the CS programme. A full credential (ICSI membership) is awarded only after clearing CS Professional and completing the mandatory 21 months of practical training.
Not applicable at the CS Executive stage. Renewal and CPE (Continuing Professional Education) requirements apply only to ICSI members -those who have completed the full CS qualification and obtained membership. Members must complete 20 CPE hours per year and renew membership annually between 1st April and 30th June.
There is no fixed minimum time to complete CS Executive -candidates can attempt both modules in the same session if they choose. In practice, most candidates take 1 to 2 years to clear both modules given the pass rates. Registration at the Executive level remains valid for 5 years. If the level is not completed within that period, the candidate may apply for Registration De Novo by paying the prescribed fee; failing to do so will cancel the earlier registration and require starting fresh.
Clearing both modules of CS Executive does not award a standalone certificate or designation. It qualifies the candidate to register for CS Professional -the final level of the CS programme. A full credential (ICSI membership) is awarded only after clearing CS Professional and completing the mandatory 21 months of practical training.
Where this certification takes you.
CS Executive vs. close alternatives.
A factual side-by-side against the certifications people most often compare it to.
Yes. CS Executive is fully compatible with studying while working. There are no mandatory attendance requirements -the exams are held offline only twice a year (June and December), and candidates can pace their module attempts around their schedules. Many candidates attempt one module per session rather than both together.
ICSI officially permits the mandatory 21 months of practical training to be completed at any point, including after clearing all professional exams. This removes the biggest scheduling constraint. Graduates entering directly at this level can begin immediately without completing CSEET, shortening their overall timeline.
Official resources & links.
All resources are hosted directly by ICSI. Past papers from 2020 onwards are available for free download along with official suggested answers and practice manuals for each level.
Key update categories to track via ICSI Announcements:
CS Executive June 2026 exams commenced on 1 June 2026
December 2025 results for CS Executive were declared on 25 February 2026
The CS New Syllabus 2025 reduced the load at the Executive level -topics have been removed from JIGL, Company Law, and ECIPL, with more advanced content shifted to the Professional level. The current operative syllabus remains the 2022 version
Registrations for CS Executive December 2026 (both groups) are open until 31 May 2026
Clear CS Executive in 1 to 2 years.
In practice, most candidates take 1 to 2 years to clear both modules given the pass rates.