CSEET February 2027: exam dates, new pattern, syllabus and how to apply
The Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) is the entry test of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for the CS Executive Programme. It changed completely from the June 2026 session: it is now four pen-and-paper papers at examination centres, not the old remote-proctored test. What students want to know now: the February 2027 CSEET is from Monday 1 February to Thursday 4 February 2027, one paper a day from 2:00 p.m. (checked 20 October 2026 in ICSI's time table for the February 2027 session). This guide covers the dates, the new pattern, the pass rule, how to apply and a plan.
CSEET at a glance
| Conducting body | The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) |
| What it is for | Entry to the CS Executive Programme |
| Mode | Pen and paper at examination centres in Indian cities (and Dubai) |
| Papers | Four papers of 100 marks: three written, one OMR-based |
| Time | 3 hours for each written paper, 2 hours for the OMR paper, plus 15 minutes' reading time |
| Marking | OMR paper: 1 mark a question, no negative marking |
| Language | English (ICSI's papers and study material for the restructured test are in English) |
| How often | Three times a year: first week of February, June and October |
| Official website | icsi.edu |
CSEET February 2027 exam dates
| Date | Paper | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 1 February 2027 | Paper 1: Business Communication | 2:00 to 5:15 p.m. |
| Tuesday 2 February 2027 | Paper 2: Fundamentals of Accounting | 2:00 to 5:15 p.m. |
| Wednesday 3 February 2027 | Paper 3: Economic and Business Environment | 2:00 to 5:15 p.m. |
| Thursday 4 February 2027 | Paper 4: Business Laws and Management (OMR) | 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. |
The first 15 minutes of each sitting, 2:00 to 2:15 p.m., are for reading the question paper. ICSI's announcement and FAQ print 2:30 p.m. as the start; the February 2027 time table, which is later and specific to the session, prints 2:00 p.m., so go by the time table and your admit card.
We have not printed the registration and enrolment last dates for February 2027, because ICSI's announcement and FAQ give different windows. Check the current notice on the CSEET page. Our CSEET exam-dates page has the session dates.
How to apply for CSEET
- Check whether you need CSEET at all. Graduates and several other categories are exempt and may register directly for the Executive Programme; ICSI's announcement and FAQ list the exemptions slightly differently, so read the current regulations on the restructured CSEET page.
- Register for CSEET on the ICSI website. It is open to Indian nationals who have passed or are appearing in Class 12. Registration is valid for three years.
- Complete the Student Induction Programme, which ICSI requires before you enrol for an examination.
- Enrol for the February 2027 session within the window on the current notice, choose your centre and pay online.
- Download the admit card when ICSI issues it.
Keep ready: your Class 12 mark sheet or admit card, a photo ID, photograph and signature, and proof for any exemption you claim.
CSEET exam pattern (from June 2026)
| Paper | Type | Time | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Business Communication | Written | 3 hours | 100 |
| 2. Fundamentals of Accounting | Written | 3 hours | 100 |
| 3. Economic and Business Environment | Written (Economics 50, Business Environment 50) | 3 hours | 100 |
| 4. Business Laws and Management | OMR: Part A Business Laws 60, Part B Business Management 40 | 2 hours | 100 |
In the June 2026 papers, Papers 1 and 2 had eight questions with Question 1 compulsory and any five of the other seven; Paper 3 had two parts of four questions each, with one compulsory question and any two others in each part. ICSI's sample papers and the June 2026 paper set Paper 4 as 100 questions of one mark with four options, questions 1 to 60 in Part A and 61 to 100 in Part B, all compulsory.
Is there negative marking in CSEET? Not in the OMR paper; ICSI says so. Answer all 100 questions. The written papers are marked by examiners.
There is no viva voce or oral part in the restructured test.
What is the CSEET pass mark? At least 40% in each paper and 50% of the aggregate of all four papers, in one sitting. Marks are not carried forward. A pass is valid for one year for registering for the Executive Programme.
CSEET syllabus
ICSI's syllabus for the restructured CSEET, applicable from June 2026, covers:
- Business Communication: written English and business writing.
- Fundamentals of Accounting: the basics of accounting, with working notes.
- Economic and Business Environment: economics and the Indian business environment.
- Business Laws and Management: business laws (Part A) and the principles of management (Part B).
Read ICSI's syllabus and study material on the CSEET academics page; our CSEET syllabus page summarises it.
A plan for the weeks before 1 February 2027
About fourteen weeks remain.
| Weeks | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Register and complete the Student Induction Programme early. Take one CSEET Paper 4 mock test to see your level. |
| 2–6 | Study material for all four papers. Daily: one written answer (alternate Papers 1, 2 and 3) and 25 Paper 4 questions. |
| 7–9 | Timed written answers against ICSI's sample papers and guideline answers. One full Paper 4 mock a week. |
| 10–12 | One full written paper every few days, timed at three hours. Two Paper 4 mocks a week, each analysed (how to analyse a mock test). |
| 13–14 | Revision, admit card, centre. The four papers are on four days in a row, so plan short evening revision for the next day's paper. |
Our practice tests cover Paper 4 only, because written answers cannot be marked by key. Use ICSI's guideline answers to check your written work.
Useful links
- Restructured CSEET: announcement, FAQ, syllabus and registration
- CSEET examination page: time table, results and notices
- CSEET academics: study material, sample papers, guideline answers
- Free CSEET mock tests on Mockrooms (Paper 4; practice tests, not ICSI's own)
- CSEET syllabus
- CSEET exam dates
- CA Foundation January 2027 guide
Frequently asked questions
When is the CSEET February 2027 exam?
From Monday 1 February to Thursday 4 February 2027, one paper a day starting at 2:00 p.m. (checked 20 October 2026 in ICSI's time table).
Is CSEET online or offline now?
Offline. From the June 2026 session, CSEET is held on paper at examination centres. The last remote-proctored CSEET was on 10 January 2026.
Is there negative marking in CSEET?
No, not in the OMR paper (Paper 4). The three written papers are marked by examiners.
What is the passing mark for CSEET?
40% in each of the four papers and 50% of the total, in one sitting.
How many times a year is CSEET held?
Three times: in the first week of February, June and October.
Who is exempt from CSEET?
Graduates and several other categories can go straight to the CS Executive Programme. The exact list is in ICSI's current regulations on icsi.edu.