1. Exemption criteria and rules
The underlying principle in respect of granting exemptions to persons holding other educational qualifications is the predetermined equivalence of the Institutes’ standards with other educational bodies in respect of examinations, courses of study and other conditions as to professional standards etc.
Based on this principle the Council has listed the exemptions available to intending candidates who wish to join the institutes’ examinations, but nevertheless cases of exemptions claimed, falling outside the prescribed list are considered by the Council on the basis of their respective merit. On this question, the decision of the Council is absolute and final.
Adhering strictly to the foregoing principle, the council has framed comprehensive rules for deciding claims for exemption from the Institutes’ examinations. Accordingly eligibility for exemption will be assessed on the basis of approved academic and professional examination having relevant and considerable knowledge content of the prescribed subjects. Application for the exemptions and student registration must be made simultaneously in the prescribed form obtainable from the office of the Institute and must accompany the prescribed exemption and registration fees.
Students are advised that applications for exemption must be supported by attested documentary evidence of all subjects taken in the degree and professional examination.
The Council reserves the right to review and re-evaluate the equivalence criteria for exemption in respect of all or any academic and professional examinations which presently or in future have been accorded approval for equivalence with the Institutes’ examinations.
2. List of exemptions offered to equivalent examinations passed
Exemptions are granted from the Institutes’ examinations in subjects of other degree and professional examinations on the basis of equivalence established by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Managers. These exemptions have been reflected on schedules VII, VIII, IX and X of the prospectus and are given for the general guidance of the prospective entrants either as students or member, at the end of this chapter.
TOTAL EXEMPTIONS
Members of other professional Institutes whose examinations, educational and professional standards are considered equivalent to those of the Institute may be admitted as members. The status of membership of this Institute conferrable will, however, depend upon the status of membership already held by such applicant in other Institutes.
3. Exemptions allowed in special cases
While the Institute strictly adheres to the principles of detailed scrutiny of applications for membership and exemptions to assess the equivalence criteria's, the Council is also empowered to consider and grant exemptions to applicants whose educational qualifications are not fully covered by the conditions laid down in the schedules VII, VIII, IX and X in the prospectus.
Another important consideration which the Council follows in granting exemptions in special cases which fall outside the existing framework of exemption rules, is the overall and complete set of relevant academic and practical achievements of the applicant acceptable to the Council, of course, having regard to the cardinal principle of determining the professional equivalence in each case separately.
The decision of this Council in this behalf is absolutely final. The applicants falling in this category are, however, entitled to an opportunity to appeal and submit necessary clarifications and documentary evidence in support of their claim for exemption to the satisfaction of the Council who may in its sole discretion reconsider such appeals.
4. Exemption fee
“Exemption Fee” shall be paid along with the application for exemptions as per schedule XI given at the end of the prospectus. The Institute will refund the amounts in respect of claims for exemptions disallowed or adjust the amount against other dues. Payments shall be made in cash/bank pay order/bank draft crossed in favour of the Institute.
5. Powers of the Membership and Registration Committee to grant exemptions
The powers, vested in the Membership and Registrations Committee, interalia, also includes the scrutiny of all applicants for exemptions in accordance with the prescribed criteria and rules and eventually grant or refuse exemptions. A right to appeal to the Council is, however, given to every applicant for exemption to plead and justify his claim. Council’s decision in that case is absolute and final.
