Is company secretary a necessary requirement for both public and private companies? What should be his/her required professional qualification?

Answer: Section 171 of the Companies Act requires a company to appoint a company secretary. The office of secretary shall not be left vacant for more than 6 months at any one time. Private limited companies need not appoint a professionally qualified secretary. However a secretary must still be appointed. Only public companies must appoint a professionally qualified secretary. Examples of professionally qualified secretaries are lawyers, accountants and chartered secretaries.