ICSI INITIATIVES

CHENNAI 14 MARCH 2022 ICSI INITIATIVES 

1. 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ICSI OVERSEAS CENTRES

The ICSI is catalysing yet another opportunity of knowledge sharing by organizing it’s 1st International Conference of ICSI Overseas Centre in Dubai on March 23, 2022.

The theme of the conference “Redefining Good Governance: Innovation, Compliance, Sustainability and Inclusion” is set to bring forth a channel of discussions from across economies to help Company Secretaries understand the intricacies of different statutes. The Conference is set to witness a galaxy of speakers and delegates from the Professional Fraternity, Corporate Houses and Regulatory Authorities of both India and UAE, to deliberate on emerging technologies for thriving in environments of disruption, uncertainty and change.

1. ICSI DIGITAL REVOLUTION 

E-Learning Revolution 

The Institute completely transformed its remote learning landscape to real-time by 

rolling out various online short term courses and free video lectures including e –Vidya Vahini, the online crash course, for its students, along with providing revision classes and conducting mock tests. 

All offline trainings like 15 days Academic Development Programme, 8 days Entrepreneurship Development Programme and 15 days Management Skills Orientation Programme have also been moved to the virtual platform. 

Facilitating ICSI members through personalized Digilocker 

Digitization necessitated the requirement of Electronic Documents. ICSI having joined the DigiLocker Platform of the Government of India in October 2019, is now allowing its members to download and save their Identity Cards, Associate and Fellow Certificates and Certificates of Practice from the Digilocker anytime, anywhere. 

UDIN 

The ICSI UDIN or Unique Document Identification Number is a system generated alpha numeric number that provides ease of maintaining Register of Attestation/ Certification Services rendered by practicing members. UDIN ensures compliance of the Guidelines issued by the Institute with respect to ceilings on the number of certification / attestation services.  

eCSin 

ICSI launched Employment Specific Unique Identification Number of a Company Secretary (eCSin), which is a random alphanumeric number, generated at the time of appointment as well as at the time of demitting office. eCSin brings greater transparency, ensures better governance and facilitate verification of authenticity of employment of Company Secretaries 

1. RECOGNITIONS 

Company Secretary Qualification being considered equivalent to PG Degree

The University Grants Commission, India, has recognised the Company Secretary Qualification as equivalent to Post Graduate Degree

Recognition to Company Secretary in Practise under Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2021

Every entity, covered under sub-rule (1), who intends to undertake any CSR activity, shall register itself with the Central Government by filing the form CSR-1 electronically with the Registrar, verified digitally by a Company Secretary in Practice or a Chartered Accountant in practice or Cost Accountant in practice.

Company Secretary authorised to conduct due diligence and certify the shareholders

SEBI has authorised a Peer Reviewed Company Secretary to conduct due diligence under Regulation 10 (3) and to certify the shareholders under Proviso to Regulation 21 (a) of SEBI (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2021.

Company Secretary to be appointed as “Compliance Officer” under Regulation 130 of IFSCA 

International Financial Services Authority (IFSCA) has recognised Company Secretary as Compliance Officer, to be appointed under Regulation 130 of IFSCA (Issuance and Listing of Securities) Regulations, 2021. 

IFSCA recognition and authorization to Company Secretary in Practise 

Company Secretary in Practise has been authorised:

• To certify all the requirements of the IFSCA Act, 2019; 
• To certify the net worth certificates of IFSC Insurance Intermediary Office (IIIO)
• To conduct annual audit of Capital Market Intermediaries and issue Net-Worth Certificate to the applicant willing to register as Capital Market Intermediaries with the IFSCA
• To certify the average annual turnover and net worth of the entity, which is required to fulfil the conditions as mentioned in the said circular to act as “Qualified Jeweller”

Recognition under SEBI for Company Secretary in Practise 

SEBI authorises Company Secretary in Practise to provide Certificate of Compliance 

• To Registrars to an Issue and Share transfer Agents (RTA)
• To the issuer certifying that the proposed preferential issue is being made in accordance with the SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018. 

Recognition by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has mandated under Rule 5(1)(g) of the these Rules that every Direct Selling Entity shall get all information provided by it on its website duly certified by a Company Secretary.

1. EXPANDING BOUNDARIES 

ICSI Overseas Centres  

With its Vision “to be a global leader in promoting good Corporate Governance” and its Mission “to develop high caliber professionals facilitating good Corporate Governance”, the Institute has set forth its foot in the International arena by setting up ICSI Overseas Centres in UAE, USA, UK, Singapore and Australia. 

The Centres would augment professional opportunities for ICSI members and facilitate practical training for students, besides assisting ICSI in conducting its examinations in these countries. 

Corporate Secretary’s Tool Kit Training Programme 

The Institute in association with Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) is organising the Tool Kit Training Programme, a practical guide for Company Secretaries, to develop their skill sets. 

1. INITIATIVES FOR MEMBERS 

Webinars 

The Institute has been conducting a series of focused webinars since the year 2020, for its members to up skill their capabilities, enhance their knowledge base and unlock the professional opportunities. 

Online Crash Courses, Certificate Courses & Self-Assessment Modules 

The Institute initiated a series of Online Self-Assessment Modules, Crash Courses and Certificate Courses and also introduced the e-credit hour facility for members since the lockdown for their continued professional development.  

Members are availing the benefit of learning the nuances of Company Law, Tax Law, Securities Law, Governance, Risk Management, Compliances, Ethics, Valuation, Financial Management etc. through these courses from the comfort of their homes. 

1. INITIATIVES FOR STUDENTS 

Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET)  

Keeping in view the diverse academic standards of students seeking admission in the Company Secretary Course and to test their aptitude for the Company Secretary Profession, the ICSI introduced Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) as the qualifying test for registration to Executive Programme and is conducting the Test through Remote Proctored Mode. 

Implementation of New training Structure under CS (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 

The Institute, implemented its New Training Structure on 3rd February, 2021, as per Regulation 46BA and 46BB under The Company Secretaries (Amendment) Regulations, 2020. Highlights of the new training structure are: 

• One month Executive Development Programme (EDP)  

The Executive passed students are required to undergo One Month Executive Development Programme (EDP) that would equip them for the mandatory Practical Training in the industry / with Practicing Company Secretary. 

• Practical Training  

The students are required to undergo a 21 months practical training, with Industry/Practicing Company Secretary and other entities after completion of their one month EDP.  

• Corporate Leadership Development Programme (CLDP)  

After completion of the Professional Programme Examination and Practical Training, the students are required to undergo the Corporate Leadership Development Program (CLDP) for honing their Communication, Legal, Managerial and IT acumen. 

1. ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS 

International Commerce Olympiad – MoU with Science Olympiad Foundation 

In an attempt to create awareness about the profession of Company Secretaries among school Students, the Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Science Olympiad Foundation for conducting International Commerce Olympiad recently. 

ICSI Academic Connect 

The Institute introduced the ICSI Academic Connect to collaborate with various IIMs, National Law University and Institutions of national repute to impart knowledge and acuminate skills of students, academicians and professionals. Under the collaboration, the toppers of specific programmes of these Universities/Institutes will be awarded with ICSI Signature Award Gold Medal and a scholarship to pursue the Company Secretary Course. The MoU would facilitate a comprehensive partnership in the areas of joint academic research, joint workshops, professional development & faculty development programmes along with sharing of resources and participation in conferences, workshops and seminars.  

1. ICSI SOCIAL INITIATIVES 

Concession in Fees for Students who lost their Parents 

To support such students, who lost their parents/legal guardian/adoptive parents due to any reason and help them continue their education, the Institute has decided to grant one time concession in fees while registering for the CS Executive Programme. 

Shaheed Ki Beti Certificate 

Under this unique initiative, ICSI presents certificates to the dignitaries / guest / faculty members with a certificate of an amount and an equivalent amount is donated to girl child of the martyrs to financially support the her higher education or for any other purpose.  

Contribution to PM CARES FUND  

ICSI contributed a sum of rupees Twenty Five Lakh to the PM CARES Fund in the first tranche followed by a second tranche of Five Crore Rupees. The contribution was acknowledged and appreciated by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. 

Blood Bank Portal 

Covid-19 pandemic called for a heightened effort to support the nation and fellow citizens. ICSI with its dedicated Blood Bank Portal provided easy access to those in need and for those who were willing to donate blood. 

ICSI Students Education Fund Trust  

The Institute has created ‘ICSI Students Education Fund Trust’ to encourage and motivate academically bright but economically backward students to pursue CS Course thus contributing to the objectives of nation building and social responsibility. 

Preeti Kaushik Banerjee  

Joint Secretary

Corporate Communication & International Affairs   

Tel: 011-4534 1022  

Email:[email protected] 

About ICSI  

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is a premier professional body set up under an Act of Parliament, i.e., Company Secretaries Act, 1980, for the regulation and development of the profession of Company Secretaries in India. It functions under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India. The Institute, being a pro-active body, focuses on best and top-quality education to students of Company Secretaries Course and best quality set standards for CS members. The Institute has over 67,000 members and about 2.5 lakh students on its roll.