Therajpicz Unlocking Success: Highlights from CSEET Communique – March 2025


 The CSEET Communique for March 2025, published by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), is a crucial e-bullet for students preparing for the Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET). This edition brings insightful articles, updates on industry trends, and guidance on various aspects of business communication, corporate law, and the economic environment. Below is a detailed overview of the key topics covered in this edition.


Message from the President

CS Dhananjay Shukla, President of ICSI, shares an inspiring message for students, encouraging them to stay focused and persistent in their preparation for upcoming examinations. He acknowledges students' challenges but emphasizes the importance of high-order thinking skills over rote learning. He also extends his wishes on International Women’s Day 2025 and Holi.


Barriers to Effective Listening

Understanding Active and Passive Listening

Effective listening is a vital skill for professionals, especially aspiring Company Secretaries. Active listening involves engaging with the speaker through verbal and non-verbal cues, while passive listening often leads to ineffective communication.

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  • Internal and External Barriers to Listening

    Several factors hinder effective listening, categorized into:

    • Internal Barriers: Prejudices, distractions, lack of empathy, anxiety, and thinking of responses while someone is still speaking.

    • External Barriers: Environmental noise, visual distractions, and interruptions.

    Strategies for Effective Listening

    To overcome these barriers, individuals can:

    • Practice mindfulness

    • Seek clarification through questions

    • Use positive body language

    • Take notes and reflect on conversations

    Importance of Good Listening Skills

    • Strengthens relationships in personal and professional settings.

    • Enhances empathy and emotional intelligence.

    • Aids in conflict resolution by understanding different perspectives.

    • Facilitates learning, knowledge acquisition, and decision-making.


    Understanding Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): Structure, Purpose, and Risks

    An SPV is a legal entity created for a specific business objective, often used in financial structuring, risk management, and investment.

    Key Functions of SPVs

    1. Securitization: Transforming illiquid assets into tradable securities.

    2. Financing Projects: Used for large-scale infrastructure and real estate investments.

    3. Risk Sharing: Isolating financial risks to prevent direct impact on the parent company.

    4. Raising Capital: Helps in securing funding at favorable terms.

    Challenges and Risks

    While SPVs offer financial flexibility, they also come with challenges:

    • Administrative Burdens – Legal and accounting complexities.

    • Regulatory Risks – Compliance with financial and tax laws.

    • Funding Limitations – Difficulty in securing loans due to perceived risks.

    • Public Perception – Concerns over transparency and ethical use.

    Examples of SPVs in India

    • Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV) – Established to streamline public procurement.

    • Faridabad Smart City Limited – An SPV for urban infrastructure development.


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  • Growth of the Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector

    MSMEs are the backbone of India’s economy, contributing significantly to employment and exports.

    Union Budget 2025-26 Initiatives for MSMEs

    • Revised Classification: Investment and turnover limits increased to facilitate scalability.

    • Enhanced Credit Availability: Micro and small enterprises now have a higher credit guarantee limit.

    • Special Credit Cards for Micro Enterprises: Providing financial aid for small businesses.

    • Support for Startups: ₹10,000 crore fund for first-time entrepreneurs.

    • Sector-Specific Focus: Footwear, leather, and toy industries to receive targeted support.

    Current Landscape of MSMEs in India

    • 5.93 crore registered MSMEs.

    • Account for 45.73% of India’s total exports.

    • Growing government initiatives like PM Vishwakarma Scheme, PMEGP, and SFURTI to support artisan and rural entrepreneurs.


    Current Affairs – March 2025

    Key Updates

    1. Aadhaar Good Governance Portal Launched – Streamlining authentication requests for better transparency.

    2. Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme – Enabling MSMEs to secure loans up to ₹100 crore.

    3. Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Program – Empowering women entrepreneurs in the Northeast.

    4. MCA21 Digital Transformation – Over 80 lakh filings recorded, enhancing ease of doing business.

    5. New SEBI Chairman Appointed – Tuhin Kanta Pandey takes charge.


    Sample Questions for CSEET

    This edition also includes practice questions covering:

    • Business Communication

    • Legal Aptitude & Logical Reasoning

    • Economic & Business Environment

    • Current Affairs & Quantitative Aptitude


    Conclusion

    The CSEET Communique – March 2025 serves as a valuable resource for aspirants preparing for the CS examination. From improving communication skills to staying updated with the latest business and economic trends, this edition is an essential read for company secretary students.

    For detailed insights, students are encouraged to refer to the complete e-bulletin. 📘✨

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  • Section 1: Business Communication (10 Questions)

    1. Which of the following is a key characteristic of active listening?
      a) Interrupting frequently
      b) Thinking about your response while the other person speaks
      c) Asking clarifying questions
      d) Ignoring non-verbal cues
      Answer: c) Asking clarifying questions

    2. What is an external barrier to effective listening?
      a) Lack of concentration
      b) Prejudice
      c) Noise in the environment
      d) Anxiety
      Answer: c) Noise in the environment

    3. Which strategy improves listening skills?
      a) Multitasking during conversations
      b) Using passive listening
      c) Avoiding distractions
      d) Interrupting to express opinions
      Answer: c) Avoiding distractions

    4. What does ‘seeking clarification’ in communication mean?
      a) Repeating everything the speaker says
      b) Asking questions to ensure understanding
      c) Interrupting the speaker
      d) Guessing the meaning of the conversation
      Answer: b) Asking questions to ensure understanding

    5. Which of these is NOT an internal barrier to effective listening?
      a) Personal biases
      b) Preoccupied thoughts
      c) Background noise
      d) Emotional state
      Answer: c) Background noise

    6. Non-verbal communication includes all of the following EXCEPT:
      a) Facial expressions
      b) Tone of voice
      c) Email messages
      d) Body posture
      Answer: c) Email messages

    7. Which of the following helps in building strong relationships?
      a) Ignoring other people's viewpoints
      b) Listening actively
      c) Speaking more than listening
      d) Being judgmental
      Answer: b) Listening actively

    8. Empathy in communication means:
      a) Pretending to care
      b) Understanding and sharing another person’s feelings
      c) Avoiding emotional topics
      d) Talking about yourself often
      Answer: b) Understanding and sharing another person’s feelings

    9. Which of these is a sign of effective listening?
      a) Nodding and maintaining eye contact
      b) Interrupting to agree
      c) Looking away while listening
      d) Checking your phone during the conversation
      Answer: a) Nodding and maintaining eye contact

    10. Why is summarizing important in communication?
      a) It shows that you have been listening attentively
      b) It allows you to speak more
      c) It confuses the listener
      d) It helps end the conversation quickly
      Answer: a) It shows that you have been listening attentively


    Section 2: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) (10 Questions)

    1. What is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)?
      a) A financial structure for individual savings
      b) A legal entity created for a specific purpose
      c) A government tax department
      d) A business with unlimited liability
      Answer: b) A legal entity created for a specific purpose

    2. SPVs are primarily used for:
      a) Personal investments
      b) Managing high financial risk projects
      c) Increasing employee salaries
      d) Buying personal property
      Answer: b) Managing high financial risk projects

    3. Which is a common example of an SPV?
      a) Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV)
      b) Private banking firms
      c) Local grocery stores
      d) Educational institutions
      Answer: a) Government e-Marketplace (GeM SPV)

    4. Which sector commonly uses SPVs in India?
      a) Textile industry
      b) Infrastructure development
      c) Fast-food industry
      d) Retail stores
      Answer: b) Infrastructure development

    5. Which is a risk associated with SPVs?
      a) Enhanced transparency
      b) Easy taxation
      c) Regulatory complexities
      d) Lack of financial planning
      Answer: c) Regulatory complexities

    6. SPVs are typically used in:
      a) Securitization
      b) Personal tax management
      c) Retail store operations
      d) Customer service enhancement
      Answer: a) Securitization

    7. Which financial benefit does an SPV provide?
      a) Lower funding costs
      b) Higher personal savings
      c) Government tax exemption
      d) Unlimited liability
      Answer: a) Lower funding costs

    8. A well-functioning SPV should be:
      a) Dependent on the parent company
      b) Completely independent
      c) Governed only by individuals
      d) A permanent financial structure
      Answer: b) Completely independent

    9. Which risk is associated with SPVs?
      a) Increased business transparency
      b) Administrative burdens
      c) Easy legal approvals
      d) Government tax benefits
      Answer: b) Administrative burdens

    10. Why do companies use SPVs?
      a) To isolate financial risks
      b) To pay more taxes
      c) To avoid hiring employees
      d) To create personal wealth
      Answer: a) To isolate financial risks


    Section 3: MSME Growth in India (10 Questions)

    1. MSME stands for:
      a) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
      b) Major Small and Medium Enterprises
      c) Micro and State Market Enterprises
      d) Managed Sales and Market Enterprises
      Answer: a) Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

    2. How much do MSMEs contribute to India’s total exports?
      a) 10%
      b) 25%
      c) 45.73%
      d) 60%
      Answer: c) 45.73%

    3. Which initiative supports MSMEs in India?
      a) Start-Up India
      b) PM Vishwakarma Scheme
      c) FDI Policy
      d) Stock Market Regulations
      Answer: b) PM Vishwakarma Scheme

    4. What is the main challenge faced by MSMEs?
      a) High employment rates
      b) Limited access to credit
      c) Too many government subsidies
      d) Excessive manpower
      Answer: b) Limited access to credit

    5. Which sector benefits the most from MSMEs?
      a) Manufacturing
      b) Information Technology
      c) Aviation
      d) Space research
      Answer: a) Manufacturing

    Section 4: Current Affairs (10 Questions)

    1. What is the main purpose of the Aadhaar Good Governance Portal launched in 2025?
      a) To issue new Aadhaar numbers
      b) To streamline the approval process for Aadhaar authentication requests
      c) To replace physical ID cards
      d) To provide tax benefits
      Answer: b) To streamline the approval process for Aadhaar authentication requests

    2. Who was appointed as the Chairman of SEBI in March 2025?
      a) Alok Sachdeva
      b) Tuhin Kanta Pandey
      c) Urjit Patel
      d) Rakesh Sharma
      Answer: b) Tuhin Kanta Pandey

    3. Which scheme was launched in February 2025 to support women entrepreneurs in the Northeast?
      a) Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
      b) Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Program
      c) Start-up India Mission
      d) Nari Shakti Scheme
      Answer: b) Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Program

    4. What is the main objective of the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs?
      a) Provide subsidies to large businesses
      b) Facilitate loans up to ₹100 crore without collateral
      c) Reduce taxation for MSMEs
      d) Fund only government MSMEs
      Answer: b) Facilitate loans up to ₹100 crore without collateral

    5. Which organization signed an agreement with DPIIT to boost India’s startup ecosystem?
      a) Paytm
      b) NITI Aayog
      c) State Bank of India
      d) SEBI
      Answer: b) NITI Aayog

    6. What was the major initiative introduced for micro-enterprises in the 2025 Union Budget?
      a) MSME Credit Guarantee Expansion
      b) Udyam Credit Card Scheme
      c) MSME Loan Waiver
      d) Small Business Tax Reduction
      Answer: b) Udyam Credit Card Scheme

    7. What was the key feature of the MCA21 digital transformation in 2025?
      a) Enhanced physical paperwork
      b) Introduction of AI-driven compliance tracking
      c) Reduction of company registrations
      d) Increased taxation on corporations
      Answer: b) Introduction of AI-driven compliance tracking

    8. Which labor-intensive sector received special focus in the Union Budget 2025-26?
      a) IT Services
      b) Footwear and Leather
      c) Mining and Minerals
      d) Agriculture Machinery
      Answer: b) Footwear and Leather

    9. Which of the following MSME initiatives focuses on helping traditional artisans?
      a) Start-Up India
      b) SFURTI Scheme
      c) PM Kisan Scheme
      d) Digital India Program
      Answer: b) SFURTI Scheme

    10. Which scheme was introduced in the Union Budget 2025 to boost toy manufacturing in India?
      a) Atmanirbhar Toy Mission
      b) Toy Export Promotion Scheme
      c) National Toy Industry Development Program
      d) No specific scheme was announced
      Answer: d) No specific scheme was announced

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  • Section 5: Economic & Business Environment (10 Questions)

    1. Which of the following is a key contributor to India’s GDP growth in 2025?
      a) Large-scale public sector investments
      b) Reduction in MSME funding
      c) Increasing import reliance
      d) Decline in employment rates
      Answer: a) Large-scale public sector investments

    2. What percentage of India's total exports was contributed by MSMEs in 2023-24?
      a) 25.5%
      b) 35.8%
      c) 45.73%
      d) 60.1%
      Answer: c) 45.73%

    3. What does ‘primary deficit’ refer to in economic terms?
      a) Total government expenditure
      b) Difference between revenue and expenses excluding interest payments
      c) Inflation rate minus growth rate
      d) Total deficit including interest payments
      Answer: b) Difference between revenue and expenses excluding interest payments

    4. What is the purpose of the Udyam Registration Portal?
      a) To provide micro-enterprises with tax benefits
      b) To track financial transactions of businesses
      c) To simplify MSME registration and formalization
      d) To collect MSME data for taxation
      Answer: c) To simplify MSME registration and formalization

    5. Which is NOT a component of the Union Budget?
      a) Revenue Budget
      b) Capital Budget
      c) Fiscal Policy Statement
      d) Monetary Policy Review
      Answer: d) Monetary Policy Review

    6. Which sector in India has seen the highest employment growth due to MSMEs?
      a) IT and Software Services
      b) Manufacturing and Exports
      c) Real Estate Development
      d) Banking and Finance
      Answer: b) Manufacturing and Exports

    7. What is the significance of SFURTI in the MSME sector?
      a) Supports large-scale manufacturing
      b) Encourages traditional artisan clusters
      c) Provides direct cash subsidies
      d) Regulates MSME tax policies
      Answer: b) Encourages traditional artisan clusters

    8. Which Indian government initiative supports new MSME entrepreneurs with collateral-free loans?
      a) Stand-Up India Scheme
      b) PM Kisan Yojana
      c) Startup India Mission
      d) Ayushman Bharat Scheme
      Answer: a) Stand-Up India Scheme

    9. The term ‘Make in India’ is primarily focused on:
      a) Importing raw materials
      b) Increasing foreign investment in Indian startups
      c) Strengthening domestic manufacturing and exports
      d) Expanding multinational corporations
      Answer: c) Strengthening domestic manufacturing and exports

    10. Which financial assistance scheme is specifically targeted at first-time women entrepreneurs?
      a) Women Udyami Scheme
      b) Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Program
      c) MSME Credit Expansion
      d) Digital India Women Fund
      Answer: b) Swavalambini Women Entrepreneurship Program


    Section 6: Logical Reasoning (5 Questions)

    1. If 5 pencils cost ₹10, what is the cost of 15 pencils?
      a) ₹20
      b) ₹25
      c) ₹30
      d) ₹35
      Answer: c) ₹30

    2. Arrange the following in increasing order of size:

    3. Byte, 2. Megabyte, 3. Kilobyte, 4. Terabyte, 5. Gigabyte
      a) 1,3,2,5,4
      b) 1,2,3,5,4
      c) 1,3,2,4,5
      d) 1,3,5,2,4
      Answer: a) 1,3,2,5,4

    4. If A is the mother of B, and B is the father of C, what is the relation between A and C?
      a) Grandmother
      b) Aunt
      c) Mother
      d) Sister
      Answer: a) Grandmother

    5. Which number is missing? 2, 6, 12, 20, __, 42
      a) 24
      b) 30
      c) 32
      d) 36
      Answer: c) 32

    6. What is 20% of 250?
      a) 25
      b) 50
      c) 40
      d) 45
      Answer: b) 50

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