Company Secretaries Act 1980 [Bare Act with Section Notes ] by Taxmann provides the complete Bare Act text along with concise and relevant section-wise notes, offering clarity on both the foundational provisions and recent developments in the governance of the profession of Company Secretaries. It serves as an authoritative legal reference that combines statutory provisions with practical insights, ensuring readers understand the law and its application.

This book is intended for the following audience:

• Company Secretaries & Practitioners – Practicing professionals will find it indispensable for day-to-day compliance and advisory work
• Students of Company Secretaryship – The section notes, definitions, and clarifications help in grasping the fundamentals and advanced aspects of the Act
• Legal Practitioners & Corporate Professionals – Lawyers, in-house counsels, and governance professionals benefit from the clarity on procedural aspects, disciplinary provisions, and practice regulations
• Academicians & Researchers – An excellent resource for teaching, academic writing, or undertaking detailed research on corporate laws, professional ethics, and disciplinary mechanisms

The Present Publication is the 2025 Edition, covering the amended and updated text of the Company Secretaries Act [Act No. 56 of 1980 ], with the following noteworthy features:

• [Complete Text of the Company Secretaries Act, 1980] Presents the latest statutory provisions, integrated with amendments up to the year 2025
• [Section-wise Notes & Comments] Offers brief explanations, cross-references, and clarifications under each section
• [Pre-amendment Provisions] Incorporates the text of provisions as they existed prior to the amendment in the respective amendment footnotes, enabling the reader to understand the legal position before the amendment and its applicability during the pre-amendment period
• [Updated with Recent Amendments] Incorporates the latest changes related to disciplinary procedures, penalties, and governance
• [Practical Insights] Highlights relevant case laws, definitions, etc., to aid a more profound understanding
• [User-friendly Layout] demarcated headings, legislative references, and an updated subject index enhance readability and usability

The coverage of the book is as follows:

• Chapter-wise Exposition – Detailed coverage of each chapter of the Company Secretaries Act (Preliminary, Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Council, Register of Members, Misconduct, Regional Councils, Penalties, Dissolution of Old Institute, and Miscellaneous)
• Commentaries & Illustrations – Explanation of membership thresholds (Associate vs. Fellow), cost/fee sanctions, corporate usage of company secretaries, and examples (e.g., procedure for re-entry after removal)
• Case Law Digest – Summaries of notable High Court and Supreme Court decisions on membership disputes, firm controversies, disciplinary appeals, and professional misconduct

The structure of the book is as follows:

• Bare Act Text – The complete and unaltered provisions of the Company Secretaries Act, 1980
• Section Notes
• Definitions
• Incorporation & Regulation of the Institute
• Council of the Institute – Composition, Election, Functions
• Registration & Maintenance of Register (for Members & Firms)
• Disciplinary Mechanism & Misconduct
• Quality Review Board
• Regional Councils & Co-ordination Committee
• Penalties, Offences, and Sanctions
• Transitional & Miscellaneous Provisions
• Schedules
• First Schedule – Lists professional misconduct in relation to Company Secretaries in practice, in service, and generally
• Second Schedule – Outlines more serious professional misconduct and penalties thereon
• Subject Index – A helpful index at the end for quick reference to topics, terms, and relevant sections