Frequently Asked Questions

The Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS), founded by Dr. B.V. Raman in 1984 and registered under the Society Act, has more than 60 chapters across India. For information on ICAS please visit www.icasindia.org.

The Chennai-I (T-Nagar) Chapter, registered as ICAS Chennai Trust, is the first chapter in Tamil Nadu and the only one in TN to offer online sessions. We attract members from across India and internationally, including Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, and Canada. We offer courses, seminars, and bi-monthly webinars in both English and Tamil.

ICAS Chennai Trust is a not-for-profit Educational Trust for Astrological Sciences.

Members should have:

• Passed the age of 18
• Passed the S.S.L.C. examination or equivalent thereto
• A reasonable command of English
• Basic mathematical and calculation skills
• Basic IT knowledge and the ability to use a PC independently
• Access to Internet
• A keen interest in astrology and the willingness to learn

Joining ICAS provides several benefits, including:

• Comprehensive Syllabus: Access to structured courses in various fields of astrology, including Jyotish, Palmistry, Vāstu, and Nādi.
• Community Engagement: Connect with a community of members, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and experiences.
• Flexible Learning: Participate in sessions conducted online via Microsoft Teams, making it convenient to join from any location.
• Recognition: Receive certifications upon completing courses, enhancing your credibility and professional standing in the field of astrology.
• Professional Development: Engage in discussions, webinars and seminars, contributing to collective growth in the field of Astrological Sciences.
• Ethical Standards: Adhere to ICAS's established rules of conduct, promoting integrity, respect, and professionalism within the astrological community.

1. Complete the Life Membership registration form:
   academic.icasindia.org/Membership/CreateAccount
2. Refer to the user guide if you need help:
   The User Guide is being updated
3. After submitting the form, note down the Acknowledgment Reference Number displayed on the screen. A confirmation email containing the same reference number will also be sent to your registered email address.
4. If you do not receive the email, please check your Junk/Spam folder.
5. Once you receive the confirmation email, forward it to chennai@icasindia.org for our records.

Important: Submitting the application does not automatically grant Life Membership. Your application will be reviewed and processed, and membership approvals are completed by the end of January or July.

Please select your membership based on how you wish to attend Jyotish classes:

• Choose Chennai-I Chapter if you wish to attend online sessions.
• Choose Chennai-II Center if you wish to attend offline Jyotish classes. Offline classes are conducted at T. Nagar, Chennai.

If you are interested only in ancillary courses, please choose Chennai-I Chapter for Life Membership.

Please ensure that you select the appropriate option when applying for membership.

Yes, but only Jyotish Praveena classes are offered offline. These sessions are conducted by the Chennai-II Center at T. Nagar, Chennai, on Sunday mornings.

Participants may enroll in either the online or the offline Jyotish Praveena program, but not both. Chennai-I Chapter offers only online courses.

If you are enrolled in the Chennai-II Center for offline Jyotish Praveena classes, you may also enroll in an ancillary course online through Chennai-I Chapter.

Before registration, keep scanned copies of the following documents ready:

• Aadhaar ID (masked Aadhaar only)
• Personal ID Proof (Date of Birth proof)
• Educational Certificate (Minimum qualification: SSLC)
• Signature (digital copy accepted)
• Passport-size photograph (less than 1 MB)

All documents must be clear, legible, and properly aligned upright.

Important: Please watch the registration guidance video before proceeding to fill in the application.

Once you have submitted your application, you can rest assured that it will be processed through every stage of the approval process. While occasional technical or administrative delays may occur, every eligible application will be attended to, and you will be able to complete the remaining formalities and join ICAS once your approval is finalized.

If any action is required from your end, we will contact you directly by email. There will be no need to send WhatsApp messages or request status updates, as these do not speed up the approval process. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

ICAS emails may sometimes land in your Junk, Spam, Promotional or Other folders, depending on your email settings. Please check all folders in your email apps regularly.

To prevent this from happening, add the following domains to your Safe Senders list: icasindia.org and icaschennaitrust.org.in.

This is not allowed in ICAS. Enrolment in courses ensures that all members are familiar with the ICAS syllabus, actively engage in their studies, and obtain certification. This process standardizes learning and ensures that everyone is up-to-date and can effectively interact with other members.

Course admission in the ICAS Academic Portal is required to attend the examinations.

Apply Course Admission is enabled on the ICAS Academic Portal at the start of each term. Please ensure to complete this to ensure you will be eligible to attend the examinations. Please only apply for admission if you plan to join the course in the current term.

ICAS Chennai-I (T-Nagar) Chapter Courses

† ICAS Members who have completed Masters in Astrology with an accredited institution may apply for Nadi Praveena.
Nakshatra Praveena is expected to commence from the 2027 intake; completion of Jyotish Praveena is a prerequisite.

The fee structure was revised effective January 2025 as indicated above.

Tuition fees do not include the cost of books, study materials, printing, or shipping.

Life Membership (LM) Fee:

• INR 1,000 (for members based in India)
• INR 5,000 (for members based abroad)

This is a one-time fee payable upon registration and must be paid separately from tuition fees.

ICAS® and ICAS Chennai Trust® reserve the right to modify the fee structure at their discretion.

We start a new batch every 6 months — in January and July. Courses typically begin by the 1st or 2nd Saturday of the term and run for around 4 to 5 months, ending with term examinations in June or December. Exact dates are announced closer to the start.

You can join a Jyotish course and/or an ancillary course such as Palmistry or Vāstu. You may enrol in no more than two courses per term. Palmistry or Vāstu courses can be taken without having to join Jyotish Praveena.

No. If you enroll in one Jyotish course and one ancillary course (e.g. Vastu or Hastarekha), the course schedules are planned to avoid overlap, allowing you to attend both simultaneously.

During the membership application process, you will notice that only one course can be selected at a time.

If you have enrolled in a Jyotish course and would also like to take an ancillary course, please first complete your Life Membership application with the Jyotish course selected.

After your application has been submitted, please wait for Chapter approval and then log in to the ICAS Academic Portal again and apply for the ancillary course through:

Course > Apply Course Enrolment

Ancillary examinations are all held on the same day. Therefore, you cannot appear in the examinations for more than one course at the same time.

Upon completing one year of the course and passing all 4 papers, you will receive a certificate. You may then choose to proceed and join the Jyotish Visharada (one year — 6 papers) course.

To ensure all students have the same foundation and meet the Chennai Chapter's academic requirements, students who have completed the previous level through another chapter must first complete the corresponding preceding course with the Chennai Chapter before enrolling in the Visharada course. You may retake the preceding course with us first at a nominal fee and proceed to the Visharada course in the next term.

At present, Nakshatra Praveena is not offered at our Chapter. We expect to commence the course in 2027, subject to faculty availability.

Please note: To enrol with Nakshatra Praveena at ICAS Chennai-I Chapter, members must have completed the Jyotish Praveena course under the ICAS Syllabus. We do not recognise external courses from other institutions.

You will need to start with Jyotish Praveena before joining Jyotish Visharada, even if you have completed astrological courses elsewhere.

For Nādi courses, at Chennai-I (T-Nagar) Chapter, we require ICAS members to have completed Jyotish Visharada or its equivalent of a Masters in Astrology from an accredited institution.

After submitting your Life Membership application, there is a separate course registration process conducted by the Chennai-I Chapter.

The Life Membership application is managed at the national level. To attend classes and receive access to course materials and sessions, you must also complete the Chennai-I Chapter Course Registration Form.

• Complete the Chennai-I (T. Nagar) Chapter Course Registration Form for the upcoming term. (Link will be shared around mid-Jun/mid-Dec)
• Join the relevant course WhatsApp group using the link provided by the Chapter.

Please note that this Chapter registration process must be completed every six-month term in order to continue receiving access to classes, course materials, and communications.

Course access is granted only after the Chapter registration process for the relevant term has been completed.

You will attend the courses starting from January or July. Your Life Membership number will be processed by March or September, depending on the semester. For every academic term, you will need to complete the following tasks as appropriate on the ICAS Academic Portal:

• Course Admission
  User Guide: academic.icasindia.org/FAQ Coursepdf.pdf.
• Examination Application
  User Guide: academic.icasindia.org/FAQ EXAM.pdf.

This will be followed by Exams in June or December.

Course fees are due in full by end January / July. Course payment details will be communicated later in the respective course WhatsApp groups. Please note: we currently do not offer card payment options. Payments can be made only via direct bank transfer or UPI ID. Refer to the Fees Table FAQ.

Course fees are due in full by end January / July and all payments must be made in full.

• For 12-month courses, part payment is allowed: 60% payable in advance, 40% before the next term starts.
• For Life Membership and 6-month courses, the full fee must be paid at the time of application.

Sessions are usually held on weekends. Online sessions for Jyotish & Ancillary courses are scheduled for 2 hours once a week. JP courses are expected to be held on Saturdays at 8:30 am IST. The timetable indicating the timings will be issued before the start of the term.

The course schedule is fixed to accommodate the majority of members based in Chennai and India, and we cannot offer alternate timings for individual members. However, if you are unable to attend live sessions - whether due to work commitments or time zone differences - you can access the session recordings. These will be available for a limited period. Many members successfully follow this approach, and consistency in reviewing the recordings is key to staying on track.

In ICAS, we do not address anyone by first names. Faculty & fellow members should be addressed with respect, using "Sir", "Madam (ma'am)" etc. or an appropriate salutation ("Mr", "Mrs", "Ms") prefixed to the name. National Office bearers are also to be addressed as "Honourable" (Hon.) prefixed to their official title.

ICAS Chennai Trust is a not-for-profit Educational Trust for Astrological Sciences. As such our Office-Bearers and faculty team consists of 13 dedicated individuals who are certified by ICAS and are working professionals in their respective fields. They volunteer their time and expertise to support our program.

Faculty members can be contacted via the course WhatsApp group. This platform is used for announcements, discussions, and queries related to the course.

Faculty members are working professionals who volunteer their time. The best time to contact them is during the designated course sessions or anytime through the WhatsApp group. Response times may vary based on their professional commitments and availability. We encourage all queries to be addressed during our live sessions.

You can join the online sessions from any location. We have members participating from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, UK, Moldova, Switzerland, Canada, as well as from various cities in India other than Chennai.

Sessions are conducted on Microsoft Teams. (Make sure to have the New Teams App.)

Download: microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/download-app

You will need a Microsoft Account - sign up with your personal email e.g. Gmail. (signup.live.com/signup) to join our sessions.

Visit support.microsoft.com/account for support on any Microsoft account related issues.

Microsoft Teams is the preferred platform for ICAS.

Occasionally, faculty members might incorporate other technology platforms to aid learning, but Teams remains the main platform.

There are no trial or demo sessions available. However, introductory session(s) are conducted to answer any queries from prospective members. This is likely to be held on the 1st Saturday of January / July.

The courses are taught in English, and all study materials are provided in English.

We may offer some optional discussion sessions in Tamil for selected topics, starting with the Jyotisha Praveena 1 (JP1) course. But the full course and materials will not be in Tamil. We will inform members if Tamil sessions are added in future terms.

Please note:

• Ancillary courses are only conducted in English at Chennai Chapter.
• You have the option to take Jyotish exams in English/Tamil/Telugu/Kannada/Hindi & Marathi.
• Ancillary exams are generally available in either English/Hindi.

The Chennai Chapter will use the Square Chart, which is commonly used in South India, as its standard presentation format.

As both the Square Chart and Diamond Chart (commonly used in North India) will be introduced in JP1, members are encouraged to develop proficiency in recognising planetary positions in both formats. Wherever feasible, textual planetary positions may also be provided to facilitate understanding irrespective of the chart format used.

Chennai Chapter members who prefer the Diamond Chart format will be able to readily cast it from the planetary positions shown in a Square Chart presentation. Likewise, members attending webinars or other programmes where a Diamond Chart is used should be able to follow the presentation by converting it to a Square Chart, if they so prefer.

• Members are encouraged to take notes during sessions to enhance their learning experience.
• Supplemental documents in PDF format (read-only limited access) may be provided for reference, where applicable.
• Recommended textbooks are available for purchase separately from external online platforms such as Amazon, Bookish, Flipkart etc.
• ICAS Publications are available for purchase at eshopicas.com and also from external online platforms such as Amazon.

The Chennai-I (T-Nagar) Chapter does not encourage the sharing of PDF versions of books, except in cases where the book is clearly out of print and no longer available for purchase.

Members are expected to act in good faith and support the work of authors and publishers by obtaining legitimate copies of required books.

Sharing or distributing PDFs or copyrighted materials on Chennai-I (T-Nagar) Chapter platforms is strictly prohibited. Please also note that platforms such as Scribd and similar sites often host unauthorised or pirated copies of books. Members are expected to refrain from promoting, linking to, or using such platforms.

We do not support or permit the use of mobile phones or tablets for attending sessions or examinations.

Only laptops or desktop computers are allowed.

Any technical issues arising from unsupported devices will not be considered for assistance or exceptions.

Please note that using corporate devices may have restrictions imposed by the respective organizations.

Hardware & System Requirements

Testing Links

If you face any technical errors while joining the online sessions, perform the following steps:

• Clear all cache in browsers.
• Restart your devices.
• Uninstall any existing versions of Teams on your devices.
• Download and reinstall the new & latest Teams app.

You can also contact Microsoft Support at support.microsoft.com/teams for guided assistance.

Providing the screenshots of error messages is essential for Support to assist you efficiently. You may also inform us about your technical issues in the respective Course Groups to keep us informed or to get help from fellow members who may have resolved a similar issue.

Before COVID, ICAS sessions were exclusively conducted offline. To adapt to changing times, we now offer online sessions. If you miss a session, recordings will be available on Microsoft Teams for up to 3 weeks from the date of the session. To maintain a learning experience comparable to offline sessions and encourage meaningful interactions, members are expected to attend online sessions or review the recordings promptly. Please note, recordings will not be downloadable.

Recordings are not downloadable to keep the content secure and ensure it is used only by registered course members. This policy also encourages members to review the sessions promptly, as delays can lead to the content being ignored. By preventing last-minute cramming, it supports better learning and ensures members stay engaged with the course material.

The Controller of Examinations (CoE) will announce when the exam application window is open around April/October.

You must apply for exams each term via the ICAS Academic portal, and pay the exam fees immediately to the ICAS Chennai-I (T-Nagar) Chapter (through the process that will be communicated). Once your application and payment are reviewed, your exam application will be approved by the Chapter Chairman and CoE.

Examinations are conducted in June and December every year.

Exam Structure for Members Enrolling in the Current Semester (Starting January 2025):

• Members with a Registered Address in an ICAS Chapter/Centre City must take OFFLINE examinations.
• Members with a Registered Address NOT in an ICAS Chapter/Centre City:
  • Can choose between ONLINE or OFFLINE examinations.
  • If opting for OFFLINE, they can select any Chapter/Centre.
• Choices must be made during exam applications and cannot be changed later.
• For ONLINE examinations, members may be required to submit physical copies of assignments and appear online for viva-voce.
• ICAS is not responsible for any user-end internet/bandwidth or technical issues during ONLINE examinations.
• Strict actions, including debarring from ICAS examinations and publication of names on the ICAS website, will be taken against any malpractice.

• Online exam: 1-hour duration with 50 multiple-choice questions.
• Offline exam: 3-hour duration, including answering 5 written and calculation-based questions.

Additional requirements such as assignments, attendance and viva voce may be introduced for certification to be issued. Members will be updated in case this is a requirement.

No. There are no exceptions to the Exam Mode Policy. All members must comply with the mode of examination as determined by the Controller of Examinations (CoE).

Exam policies are approved by the National ICAS Managing Committee and are final for the current term. The Chennai-I Chapter has no authority to alter or grant exceptions.

Members may submit feedback in writing to chennai@icasindia.org; such feedback will be forwarded to the CoE for future consideration. Current policies will not be changed mid-term.

Any form of harassment or pressure towards the Chapter or its office-bearers regarding exam mode will not be entertained.

Every course requires a minimum of two papers to be attempted each term. For Jyotish Visharada, three papers must be attempted each term. To obtain the certificates, you must pass all the papers for the courses you are enrolled in, with a pass mark of 40% for each paper.

The dates and timings for Jyotish Praveena (JP1):

• Paper I: Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM IST
• Paper II: Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM IST

The tentative dates for ancillary examinations:

• Paper I: Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM IST
• Paper II: Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM IST

Dates are subject to change by the Controller of Examinations.

For the full schedule, please visit ICAS Examination Schedule .

By mid-March / September (or earlier) following the December / June examinations.

Yes. You may continue attending the next level while awaiting your examination results. There is no need to pause your studies until the results are released.

Examination results are typically published a few months after the exams. In the meantime, students are encouraged to continue learning and maintain continuity in their studies.

For example, a student who has completed Jyotish Praveena (JP) may continue attending Jyotish Visharada (JV) classes while awaiting the JP examination results.

However, all required examinations must eventually be completed and passed in accordance with ICAS requirements to be eligible for certification at the respective levels. Continuing to a higher level does not waive the requirements of the preceding level.

For example, a member who has not successfully completed the examinations for Jyotish Praveena (JP) will not be eligible to receive the Jyotish Visharada (JV) certificate, even if they have passed all the JV examinations

No. All members are required to take the examination at the date and time scheduled by the ICAS Controller of Examinations.

If you reside in a different time zone, have work commitments, or anticipate travel during the examination period, please make the necessary arrangements well in advance to ensure your availability.

Please note that all examination schedules and other official ICAS communications including course schedules are published in Indian Standard Time (IST) +5h 30min UTC . Members are responsible for converting IST to their local time zone where applicable.

As a life member, there is no strict time limit to complete the course. However, it's essential to set personal goals and stay motivated to complete the course at your own pace. If you are unable to complete the course within the terms you have signed up with us for, you will be required to sign up again and additional fees may apply.

The course does not include personal horoscope reading/consultations for members as part of the curriculum. We do not encourage any member to approach our faculty for a free horoscope reading. The focus of the course is on providing you with the knowledge and skills to interpret horoscopes on your own.

No. Links to external videos, courses, websites, social media posts, or study materials should not be shared on the Chennai Chapter's official WhatsApp groups, channels, or other communication platforms.

Our official platforms are intended for syllabus-based learning, course-related discussions, and Chapter communications. This helps keep discussions focused and relevant for all members.

• Social media content is not always verified.
• AI-generated images and infographics may contain errors or misleading information.
• Members may not be aware of such inaccuracies.
• As an ICAS member, you have a responsibility not to spread unverified information.

Unless specifically authorized by ICAS, AI tools should not be used for:

• Examinations, tests, viva voce, and practical assessments.
• Assignments, projects, and coursework submissions.
• Research papers, articles, and publications submitted under ICAS.
• Astrological analyses, interpretations, and case studies prepared for evaluation or certification.
• Group discussions, seminars, workshops, and presentations intended to assess a member's knowledge or competence.
• Any activity leading to certification, grading, ranking, or academic evaluation by ICAS.
• Posts, answers, or content shared on official ICAS or Chennai Chapter platforms, including WhatsApp groups, Microsoft Teams channels, and other official communication forums.

Members are expected to demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding, analysis, and professional judgment. Unauthorized use of AI may be treated as a violation of ICAS academic integrity requirements and may result in disciplinary action.

No. ICAS groups and platforms are intended solely for academic and learning purposes.

Members are not permitted to advertise, promote, or solicit for any business, product, or service (paid or unpaid) in any ICAS group or platform.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• Posting links to your business
• Promoting your paid classes, workshops, or astrology services
• Sharing advertisements for products or external services

Any violation of this guideline may result in removal from the group or other disciplinary action.

According to the ICAS Bye-Laws 2018, members must adhere to the following rules of conduct:

• Act within the Society's Bye-laws, Statutes, Rules, and the law in the best interest of the Society as a whole.
• Maintain professional conduct and avoid actions that might bring the Society or the reputation of the profession into disrepute.
• Respect the knowledge, insight, experience, and expertise of others, including fellow members.
• Respect individual, cultural, and role differences, including those involving age, disability, education, ethnicity, gender, language, national origin, race, religion, marital or family status, and socio-economic status.
• Contribute positively and interact in a respectful and professional manner, even where there are differences of opinion.
• Actively engage in discussion, debate, and voting in meetings, contributing to collective decisions and accepting the majority decision.
• Be honest and accurate in representing your professional opinion, experience, and knowledge.
• Refrain from promoting your own professional services, research, or products when acting for the Society.

For further assistance or queries, you can contact:

ICAS Chennai Trust (Regd.)
Chennai-I (T-Nagar) Chapter Chairman
Hon. Assoc. National Vice President (ICAS)
Mr. E Ramalingam

Email: chennai@icasindia.org