The Institute of Company Secretaries of India(ICSI) is constituted under an Act of Parliament i.e. the Company Secretaries Act, 1980 (Act No. 56 of 1980). ICSI is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India awards the certificate of bestowing the designation of Company Secretary(CS) to a candidate qualifying for the membership of the Institute. It was in 1960 that the Company Law Board started a course in Company Secretaryship leading to the award of Government Diploma in Company Secretaryship. As the number of students taking up the Company Secretaryship course grew, the Government promoted on 4th October, 1968, Institute of Company Secretaries of India under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 for taking over from the Government the conduct of Company Secretaryship examination. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has since been converted into a statutory body w.e.f. 1.1.1981 under the Company Secretaries Act, 1980. The Institute provides top-quality education to the students of Company Secretaries (CS) Course and best quality set standards to CS Members. At present, there are more than 50,000 members and about 4,00,000 students on the roll of ICSI.

The Institute of company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has its headquarters at New Delhi and four regional offices at New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai. The Institute has four Regional Councils and under their jurisdiction Chapters as provided in the link below:
ICSI Organisation Structure

Membership of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India(ICSI) has been recognized for appointment to various superior posts and services under the Central Government.
The affairs of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) are managed by a Council consisting of fifteen elected members and five nominees of the Central Government. Pursuant to section 383A of the Companies Act, 1956, companies having a paid -up share capital of Rs 5 crore or more, as prescribed by the Central Government, are statutorily required to appoint a whole-time Company Secretary.

The major contribution of Company Secretary (CS) is in corporate sector. Company Secretary (CS) is an important professional aiding the efficient management of the corporate sector. Company Secretary (CS) is designated as an officer under the Companies Act. Company Secretary (CS) has to interact, coordinate, integrate and cooperate with various other functional heads in a company. A member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India(ICSI) may also practise independently as a professional after obtaining a certificate of practice as provided in the Company Secretaries Act,1980.