Introduction: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) plays a pivotal role in regulating the profession of company secretaries. In line with its commitment to ensuring professional excellence, ICSI regularly updates its guidelines. Recently, an extension in the last date for obtaining mandatory Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for the year 2023-24 has been announced, signifying the Institute’s dedication to fostering professional growth among its members.
Detailed Analysis
ICSI, as a statutory body established under an Act of Parliament, operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. It upholds the highest standards of professional competence through its guidelines and regulations. The ICSI (Continuous Professional Education) Guidelines, 2019, serve as a framework for members to maintain their professional competence and enhance the quality of services provided.
According to Para 5.1 of the Guidelines, members are required to secure 20 CPE credits annually through structured and unstructured learning programs, with no provision for carry-forward of excess credits. However, recognizing the challenges professionals may face in meeting this requirement, the Council of the Institute has extended the deadline for obtaining mandatory CPE credits for the fiscal year 2023-24 until May 31, 2024.
This extension provides members with additional time to fulfill their CPE obligations, ensuring compliance with the guidelines. It emphasizes the Institute’s commitment to supporting the professional development of its members and maintaining the integrity of the profession.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the extension of the last date for obtaining mandatory CPE credits by ICSI reflects its proactive approach to promoting professional development within the company secretarial profession. By allowing members more time to complete their CPE requirements, the Institute demonstrates its responsiveness to the evolving needs of professionals while upholding the highest standards of excellence. Members are encouraged to seize this opportunity and ensure compliance with the ICSI (Continuous Professional Education) Guidelines, 2019, by completing their CPE credits by May 31, 2024, thereby contributing to their own growth and the advancement of the profession as a whole.
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THE INSTITUTE OF
Company Secretaries of India
IN PURSUIT OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Statutory body under an Act of Parliament
(Under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Corporate Affairs)
March 31, 2024
EXTENSION OF LAST DATE FOR OBTAINING THE MANDATORY CPE CREDITS FOR THE YEAR 2023-24 TILL MAY 31, 2024
Dear Professional Colleague,
The ICSI (Continuous Professional Education) Guidelines, 2019 were issued by the Institute effective from April 1, 2020, to enable the members to maintain the optimum level of professional competence and to ensure high quality and standards in the professional services rendered by them.
As per Para 5.1 of the Guidelines, it is mandatory for all members of the Institute, except those specified in para 6.1.1 to secure 20 CPE Credits in a year through structured and unstructured learning program(s). However, no carry forward for excess CPE Credits from one year to another year will be allowed.
In order to facilitate the members in fulfilling the mandatory requirement of CPE Credits for the year 2023-24 (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024), the Council of the Institute has extended the last date for obtaining the mandatory CPE credits by the members till May 31, 2024.
The members are advised to utilise this opportunity and complete their CPE Credits for the year 2023-24 as per ICSI (Continuous Professional Education) Guidelines, 2019 latest by May 31, 2024.
Please note that CPE Credits obtained by the members in the extended period, who have already completed their mandatory CPE Credits for the year 2023-24 as per ICSI (Continuous Professional Education) Guidelines, 2019, shall be counted in the year 2024-25.
Regards,
(CS B. Narasimhan)
President
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India