The CSEET October 2026 Registration process has officially begun, opening a fresh opportunity for students aspiring to build a career as a Company Secretary. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has started the exam enrollment window for the Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) October 2026 session from 1st July 2026, giving candidates the chance to apply through the official ICSI portal. Students can complete their CSEET October 2026 Registration without a late fee until 7th August 2026, while those who miss this deadline can still apply by paying an additional late fee until 20th August 2026. The CSEET exam for this session is scheduled to be conducted in the first week of October 2026 at designated centres across India.
Since CSEET serves as the mandatory entry-level test for students wishing to pursue the CS Executive Programme, understanding the complete registration process, eligibility norms, and application steps is essential for every aspiring candidate. This article explains everything you need to know about the CSEET October 2026 Registration, including important dates, eligibility criteria, application fee, exam pattern, and a detailed step-by-step guide to apply online, along with answers to frequently asked questions, so students can complete their registration smoothly and begin focused preparation well ahead of the exam.
What Is CSEET October 2026?
The Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) is a mandatory qualifying test conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India for students who wish to register for the CS Executive Programme, which is the second stage of the three-level Company Secretary course. Introduced to replace the earlier Foundation Programme, CSEET assesses a candidate’s aptitude for the Company Secretary profession through sections covering Business Communication, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Current Affairs.
ICSI conducts CSEET multiple times a year to accommodate students at different stages of their academic journey. The CSEET October 2026 Registration covers the entrance test session scheduled for the first week of October 2026, and unlike a few previous online proctored cycles, this exam continues to be conducted in offline, pen-and-paper mode at designated centres, requiring candidates to report physically on the day of the examination.
CSEET October 2026 Registration – Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) |
| Exam Name | Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) |
| Session | October 2026 |
| Enrollment Window Opens | 1st July 2026 |
| Last Date Without Late Fee | 7th August 2026 |
| Last Date With Late Fee | 20th August 2026 |
| Exam Date | First Week of October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Registration Fee | ₹2,000 (concessions applicable for certain categories) |
| Official Website | icsi.edu |
CSEET October 2026 Registration Important Dates
Candidates planning to complete their CSEET October 2026 Registration should carefully note the following key dates to avoid missing the application window:
- Enrollment Window Opens: 1st July 2026
- Last Date to Apply Without Late Fee: 7th August 2026
- Last Date to Apply With Late Fee: 20th August 2026
- Admit Card Release: Expected approximately 10 days before the exam date
- CSEET Exam Date: Tentatively scheduled for the first week of October 2026
- Result Declaration: Typically declared around 10 days after the exam is conducted
Since ICSI has clearly stated in its guidelines that examination forms and fees will not be accepted after the stipulated dates and such late submissions will be rejected without further intimation, candidates should prioritize completing their CSEET October 2026 Registration well before the final deadline to avoid any last-minute rejection.
CSEET October 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before proceeding with the CSEET October 2026 Registration, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility conditions prescribed by ICSI.
Educational Qualification
Candidates who have passed or are currently appearing in their Senior Secondary (Class 12) examination, in any stream, are eligible to register for CSEET. There is no restriction based on the specific subject stream studied at the higher secondary level.
Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 17 years old as on the date of application. Unlike many other competitive examinations, ICSI has not set any upper age limit for CSEET registration, allowing candidates of any age to apply as long as they meet the minimum educational qualification.
Exemption for Graduates and Postgraduates
Graduates or postgraduates holding at least 50% aggregate marks, as well as candidates who have already completed the CS Foundation Programme, are permitted to bypass CSEET entirely and apply directly for the CS Executive Programme, subject to specific conditions laid down by ICSI.
CSEET October 2026 Registration Fee
The CSEET October 2026 Registration requires candidates to pay a fee of ₹2,000 through the official ICSI portal. ICSI also provides fee concessions to candidates belonging to specific eligible categories, as outlined in the official notification. Candidates who miss the standard deadline of 7th August 2026 will need to pay an additional late fee to complete their registration within the extended window ending 20th August 2026. Payment can be made online through the available digital payment modes on the ICSI enrollment portal, and candidates should retain the payment confirmation for future reference.
How to Complete CSEET October 2026 Registration Online
Candidates can complete their CSEET October 2026 Registration by following these simple steps on the official ICSI portal:
- Visit the official ICSI registration portal at smash.icsi.edu or icsi.edu.
- Click on “Online Services” and select the option to register for CSEET.
- Select the CSEET October 2026 session application link.
- Fill in your personal details, including name, date of birth, and contact information.
- Enter your academic details, such as your Class 12 examination status or qualifying degree information.
- Upload the required documents, such as photograph, signature, and academic certificates, in the specified format (jpg, jpeg, png, gif, bmp, or pdf) with a file size not exceeding 2 MB.
- Review all the entered details carefully before proceeding to payment.
- Pay the applicable registration fee of ₹2,000 through the available online payment modes.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation receipt for future reference.
Candidates should double-check all uploaded documents and entered information before final submission, since corrections after the registration window closes may not be permitted.
CSEET Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the exam pattern helps candidates plan their preparation effectively for the session linked to the CSEET October 2026 Registration. The CSEET exam consists of four papers, each carrying 100 marks, adding up to a total of 400 marks.
- Paper 1: Business Communication
- Paper 2: Legal Reasoning
- Paper 3: Logical Reasoning
- Paper 4: Current Affairs, Presentation, and Communication Skills
Each question in the exam carries either one or two marks depending on its structure, and there is no negative marking, meaning candidates are encouraged to attempt every question. Since the exam has now shifted to offline, pen-and-paper mode, candidates must report to their allotted exam centre on the day of the examination, unlike the earlier remote proctored format.
CSEET Passing Marks and Result
To qualify the CSEET exam linked to the CSEET October 2026 Registration cycle, candidates must secure an aggregate of at least 50% marks across all four papers combined. There are no prescribed number of attempts for CSEET, meaning candidates who do not clear the exam in this session can reappear in subsequent sessions until they qualify. Results are typically declared around 10 days after the exam is conducted, and candidates can check their scorecard online at icsi.edu by entering their Application Number and Date of Birth. Once qualified, the CSEET scorecard remains valid for a period of one year from the date of declaration, and CSEET registration itself remains valid for three years from the month of registration, within which candidates can proceed to register for the CS Executive Programme.
Documents Required for CSEET October 2026 Registration
Candidates completing their CSEET October 2026 Registration should keep the following documents and information ready in soft copy before beginning the application process:
- A recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Class 12 mark sheet or equivalent qualifying certificate
- Category certificate, if applicable, for fee concession purposes
- Valid contact details, including an active email ID and mobile number, for all future communication regarding admit card and result
All uploaded files must strictly follow the file format and size requirements specified in the application form to avoid submission errors.
Important Links
| Official ICSI website | https://www.icsi.edu |
| Home Page | cbtexams.in |
FAQs
When does the CSEET October 2026 Registration process begin?
The enrollment window for the CSEET October 2026 session opened on 1st July 2026 through the official ICSI portal.
What is the last date to complete CSEET October 2026 Registration without a late fee?
Candidates can register without a late fee until 7th August 2026, and with a late fee until 20th August 2026.
What is the eligibility criterion for CSEET 2026?
Candidates must have passed or be currently appearing in their Class 12 examination and must be at least 17 years old as on the date of application.
What is the registration fee for CSEET October 2026?
The registration fee is ₹2,000, with fee concessions available for candidates belonging to specific eligible categories.
When will the CSEET October 2026 exam be conducted?
The exam is tentatively scheduled to be conducted in the first week of October 2026 at designated centres across India.
Is CSEET conducted in offline or online mode?
CSEET is now conducted in offline, pen-and-paper mode, requiring candidates to report to their allotted exam centre on exam day.
What is the passing criterion for the CSEET exam?
Candidates must secure an aggregate of at least 50% marks across all four papers combined to qualify the CSEET exam.
Can graduates skip the CSEET exam?
Yes, graduates or postgraduates with at least 50% aggregate marks, and candidates who have completed the CS Foundation Programme, can bypass CSEET and apply directly for the CS Executive Programme.