First Open Book exam for ICSI Professional Programme on June 10

28-Apr-2014


The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) will be launching its Open Book exam format for Paper 9 of Module III of the Professional Programme new syllabus June 2014 examination.

Under Paper 9 of Module III of the Professional Programme new syllabus, candidates can choose any one of the following elective subjects, which will be evaluated through the Open Book exam format:

  1. Banking Law and Practice
  2. Capital, Commodity and Money Market
  3. Insurance Law and Practice
  4. Intellectual Property Rights - Law and Practice
  5. International Business - Laws and Practices.

The Paper 9 of Module III of the Professional Programme new syllabus examination will be held on June 10, 2014.

During the Open Book Examination (OBE), candidates will be allowed to consult their study material, class notes, textbooks and other relevant papers as per need.

However, electronic devices such as mobiles, laptops, tablets will not be allowed and candidates will not be allowed to consult other candidates or share their study material with other candidates. The OBE test will focus on assessing the analytical ability of the candidate, their understanding of the question, identifying key areas and answering accurately rather than their memorising capacity.

The OBE question paper will include six questions for a total of 100 marks. The first question will be worth 50 marks, will be based on case study and will require candidates to write between 3,000 - 4,000 words. Question 2 will be worth 30 marks and will be based on study of regulatory framework (related to the subject). The remaining questions will be of 5 marks each and cover important topics related to the subject. Model question papers will soon be available on the ICSI website.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), the only certifying body for Company Secretary aspirants, will begin CS examinations from 2 June.

The Company Secretaryship Course conducted by ICSI is held in three parts: Foundation Programme, Executive Programme and Professional Programme. Candidates having cleared 10+2 are eligible for the Foundation Programme, those having cleared the Foundation Programme or have completed Graduation are eligible for the Executive Programme.

Clearing the Executive Programme is necessary to be eligible for the Professional Programme. Examinations are held twice a year in June and December and only after clearing the Professional Programme examination a candidate receives Associate Membership with ICSI and may practice as a Company Secretary.