Company Secretary Salary in India

A Company Secretary (CS) plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning and legal compliance of companies in India. In 2024, The future of being a Company Secretary (CS) in India looks bright, with lots of chances to grow and specialize in different areas.

The average Company Secretary’s salary in India ranges from ₹8.8 Lakhs per annum. The monthly take-home salary will be ₹45,597 – ₹46,678 based on reported salaries. Apart from the base salary, companies also offer many additional cash compensations to Company Secretaries, ranging between ₹15,783 – ₹28,374, depending on performance, skills, and experience.

Here, this article covers all about Company Secretaries, including starting salary, highest salary, career path, highest-paying companies, and more.

Company Secretary Salary in India

Aspect	Details
Course Name	Certified Secretary (CS)
Entrance Exams	CSEET
Institute	Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
Eligibility Criteria:	Foundation: 10+2 Executive: CSEET/Foundation/Graduation Professional: Executive
Course Structure	Three stages: Foundation, Executive, and Professional.
Program Duration	Foundation Programme: 8 months Executive Programme: 9 months duration Professional Programme: 15 months duration
CA Exam Subjects	Company Law, Securities Law, Tax Law, Economics & Business Management, Accounting & Auditing, Governance & Professional Ethics, etc.
Passing Criteria	A minimum score of 40% in each paper and an aggregate score of 50% in each group for the Executive and Professional programs.
Exam Frequency	Twice a year (June & December)
Practical Training	15 months of practical training after passing the Executive program. 21 days of training with specialized agencies (for students pursuing the Professional program via the old syllabus).
Job Roles	Company Secretary, Compliance Officer, Legal Advisor, Corporate Governance Specialist, etc.
Average Starting Salary	₹30,000 – ₹50,000 per month
Additional Qualifications	ACS (Associate Company Secretary), FCS (Fellow Company Secretary)

CS Salary in India: Level-Based

Level	Average Salary Range (per month, INR)
Fresher	₹30,000 – ₹50,000
Junior CS	₹45,000 – ₹70,000
Mid-level CS	₹60,000 – ₹90,000
Senior CS	₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000
Head CS/Chief Legal Officer	₹1,20,000 – ₹2,00,000+

Company Secretary Salary in India: Experience-Based

Experience	Average Salary Range (INR per month)
0-1 Year	₹30,000 – ₹50,000
1-2 Years	₹45,000 – ₹70,000
2-3 Years	₹47,000 – ₹80,000
3-5 Years	₹60,000 – ₹90,000
5-7 Years	₹70,000 – ₹1,10,000
7-8 Years	₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000
8+ Years	₹1,20,000 – ₹2,00,000+

Company Secretary in India: Top Companies

Company	Industry	Estimated Entry-Level Salary (INR per month)
Reliance Industries Limited	Conglomerate	₹45,000 – ₹55,000
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)	IT Services	₹40,000 – ₹50,000
Infosys	IT Services	₹42,000 – ₹52,000
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)	FMCG	₹40,000 – ₹50,000
ITC Limited	FMCG	₹38,000 – ₹48,000
Mahindra & Mahindra	Automobiles	₹35,000 – ₹45,000
Bharti Airtel	Telecommunications	₹38,000 – ₹48,000
Larsen & Toubro (L&T)	Engineering & Construction	₹40,000 – ₹50,000
Cipla	Pharmaceuticals	₹36,000 – ₹46,000
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories	Pharmaceuticals	₹35,000 – ₹45,000

Company Secretary Salary in India: Location-Wise

Here, we list down all the famous Indian cities from tier 1 to tier 3.

City (Tier)	Average Entry-Level Salary (INR per month)	Average Mid-Level Salary (INR per month)	Average Senior-Level Salary (INR per month)
Mumbai	₹45,000 – ₹55,000	₹70,000 – ₹90,000	₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000+
Delhi	₹40,000 – ₹50,000	₹65,000 – ₹85,000	₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000+
Bangalore	₹42,000 – ₹52,000	₹68,000 – ₹88,000	₹90,000 – ₹1,30,000+
Chennai	₹38,000 – ₹48,000	₹60,000 – ₹80,000	₹70,000 – ₹1,00,000+
Pune	₹36,000 – ₹46,000	₹58,000 – ₹78,000	₹65,000 – ₹95,000+
Hyderabad	₹35,000 – ₹45,000	₹55,000 – ₹75,000	₹60,000 – ₹90,000+
Ahmedabad	₹32,000 – ₹42,000	₹50,000 – ₹70,000	₹55,000 – ₹85,000+
Jaipur	₹30,000 – ₹40,000	₹48,000 – ₹68,000	₹50,000 – ₹80,000+
Kolkata	₹32,000 – ₹42,000	₹52,000 – ₹72,000	₹55,000 – ₹85,000+
Coimbatore	₹30,000 – ₹40,000	₹48,000 – ₹68,000	₹50,000 – ₹80,000+
Lucknow	₹28,000 – ₹38,000	₹45,000 – ₹65,000	₹48,000 – ₹78,000
Indore	₹26,000 – ₹36,000	₹42,000 – ₹62,000	₹45,000 – ₹75,000
Chandigarh	₹28,000 – ₹38,000	₹44,000 – ₹64,000	₹47,000 – ₹77,000

Top Countries with Highest Salaries for Company Secretaries

Country	Average CS Salary (Local Currency)
Switzerland	CHF 109,000 (approx. $123,500)
United States	$115,000
Australia	AUD 150,000 (approx. $107,000)
Singapore	SGD 112,000 (approx. $82,700)
Canada	CAD 103,000 (approx. $77,200)
Germany	EUR 70,000 (approx. $77,200)
United Kingdom	GBP 75,000 (approx. $92,400)
Hong Kong	HKD 660,000 (approx. $85,600)
France	EUR 80,000 (approx. $90,000)
China	RMB 380,000 (approx. $56,000)

Importance of a Company Secretary in India

A Company Secretary (CS) plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning and legal compliance of any company in India. They wear multiple hats, acting as:

• Compliance Officer: Ensuring adherence to various company laws, regulations, and corporate governance norms.
• Board Advisor: Providing legal and secretarial support to the Board of Directors on diverse matters.
• Liaison Officer: Interacting with various stakeholders like regulatory authorities, shareholders, investors, and auditors.
• Corporate Governance Expert: Implementing and maintaining good corporate governance practices within the company.
• Risk Management Consultant: Identifying potential legal and regulatory risks and suggesting mitigation strategies.

Their significant contributions make them vital assets for companies, impacting:

• Reduced Legal Risks: Their expertise helps avoid penalties and legal disputes, saving the company time and money.
• Enhanced Corporate Governance: They ensure ethical and transparent operations, attracting investors and improving stakeholder confidence.
• Strategic Decision-Making: They provide informed legal and regulatory insights for sound business decisions.
• Effective Board Functioning: They facilitate efficient board meetings and ensure proper documentation and communication.

Factors Affecting Company Secretary Salary in India 2024

Several factors influence a Company Secretary’s salary in India:

• Experience: As experience increases, salary rises significantly. Freshers earn around ₹30,000-₹50,000, while senior CS professionals can command over ₹2,00,000 per month.

• Qualifications: Holding the Certified Secretary (CS) qualification and additional certifications like ACS (Associate Company Secretary) and FCS (Fellow Company Secretary) enhances earning potential.

• Industry: Certain industries like finance, IT, and pharmaceuticals generally offer higher salaries compared to others.

• Company Size & Reputation: MNCs and established companies typically offer better compensation packages than smaller firms.

• Location: Tier 1 cities like Mumbai and Delhi have higher salary ranges compared to smaller cities.

• Skills & Performance: Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills significantly impact salary.

Company Secretary Salary in India 2024: Perks & Allowances

Apart from the base salary, Company Secretaries often receive various perks and allowances, including:

• Provident Fund Contribution: As mandated by law, companies contribute a portion of the salary to the employee’s PF account.

• Gratuity: After completing five years of service, employees may be eligible for a gratuity payment based on their salary and tenure.

• Medical Insurance: Many companies offer health insurance coverage for employees and their families.

• Travel Allowances: Reimbursement for travel expenses incurred for business purposes.

• Performance-Based Bonuses: Companies may offer bonuses based on individual and company performance.

• Leave Travel Allowance (LTA): Tax-exempt allowance for travel expenses incurred during vacations.

• Professional Development Opportunities: Companies may sponsor conferences, workshops, or training programs for CS professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the CS salary per month in India?

The monthly salary of a CS in India varies greatly depending on several factors like experience, qualifications, industry, company size, location, and individual skills. As a general overview:

• Freshers: Start between ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 per month.
• Mid-level CS: Earn around ₹60,000 – ₹90,000 per month.
• Senior CS: Command salaries ranging from ₹80,000 – ₹1,20,000+ per month.
• Head CS/Chief Legal Officer: Can earn ₹1,20,000 – ₹2,00,000+ per month.

2. Who earns more, CA or CS?

It’s difficult to make a definitive answer as both professions offer good earning potential, and individual salaries vary considerably. While CAs might have a slight edge in terms of average starting salaries, both roles offer career progression with significant salary increases. Ultimately, your earning potential depends on factors like individual skills, chosen specialization, and career path within each profession.

3. Who is the highest paid CS in India?

Identifying the single highest-paid CS is challenging due to the confidential nature of individual salaries. However, top CS professionals working in leading MNCs, large conglomerates, or specific high-paying industries like finance or law can potentially earn several lakhs per month.

4. Is the CS exam tough?

The CS exam is known for its challenging nature, requiring dedication, thorough preparation, and strong study skills. However, with proper planning, consistent effort, and the right resources, many candidates successfully clear the exam each year.