Scrum Master Certification in India: CSM vs PSM Compared

Last updated: 8 October 2026 · By the Asuraa Team

Quick answer: CSM from Scrum Alliance requires a 16-hour course and a 50-question test with a pass mark of 37. It must be renewed every two years for USD 100. PSM I from Scrum.org needs no course and costs USD 200 per attempt. Its 80-question test has an 85% pass mark, and the certification never expires. These details are as of October 2026.

Key takeaways

• The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) requires a 16-hour course with a Certified Scrum Trainer and a 50-question test with a pass mark of 37 correct answers in one hour.
• The CSM course fee includes two test attempts, which must be used within 90 days of finishing the course.
• PSM I from Scrum.org costs USD 200 per attempt and has 80 questions in 60 minutes with an 85% pass mark, and no course is required.
• PSM I is a lifetime certification with no renewal fee, while CSM is renewed every two years for USD 100 and 20 Scrum Education Units.
• Scrum Alliance says trainers set CSM course prices themselves, with a global range of USD 250 to USD 2,495 based on October 2023 public prices.

Two certifications dominate Scrum Master hiring in India. Scrum Alliance offers the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), and Scrum.org offers Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I). Both test your understanding of the same framework, but they differ on course requirements, exam difficulty, renewal and cost. This guide puts the official facts from both bodies side by side so you can choose the right one for your budget and goals.

What is the difference between CSM and PSM?

CSM requires you to attend a course and renew every two years. PSM I does not require a course, has a harder exam, and never expires. Both certify knowledge of Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide, the framework document written by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, whose current version dates from November 2020 (Scrum Guide).

Sources: Scrum Alliance CSM, Scrum Alliance renewal, Scrum.org PSM I, as of October 2026.

How do you get the CSM certification?

You get CSM by attending a 16-hour course led by a Certified Scrum Trainer and then passing a 50-question online test (Scrum Alliance).

1. Choose a course. It usually runs over two or three days, online or in person. Look for a Certified Scrum Trainer who teaches in Indian time zones.
2. Complete the 16 hours of training, which follow Scrum Alliance's CSM learning objectives.
3. Take the test. It has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need 37 correct answers within one hour.
4. Pass within 90 days. The course fee covers two attempts, and you must pass within 90 days of finishing the course.
5. Renew every two years. Renewal costs USD 100 and 20 Scrum Education Units (SEUs), which you earn through reading, webinars, events and similar learning (Scrum Alliance renewal).

Because the course and exam come as one package, your trainer decides the price. Scrum Alliance says trainers set their own fees, which vary with region, format, class size and taxes. Based on public course prices in October 2023, it gave a global range of USD 250 to USD 2,495 (Scrum Alliance). Compare several trainers' rupee prices and check that the fee includes GST and both test attempts.

How do you get the PSM I certification?

You get PSM I by buying an assessment password from Scrum.org for USD 200 and scoring at least 85% on an 80-question, 60-minute online test (Scrum.org). No course is required, so self-study is a valid route.

The steps:

1. Read the Scrum Guide thoroughly. It is short, and PSM I questions test it closely.
2. Practise on the free Scrum Open assessment, a 30-question test that gives you a baseline but no certification. Keep taking it until you consistently score near 100%.
3. Buy a password. It costs USD 200, plus any tax at checkout, and allows one attempt. The password never expires, so you can book when you are ready.
4. Take the test online. You get 80 questions in 60 minutes, with multiple-choice, multiple-answer and true/false formats. It is offered in English and Japanese.
5. Keep it for life. PSM I does not expire and has no annual renewal fee.

If you prefer a class, Scrum.org's Professional Scrum Master course usually runs over two days and is taught by Professional Scrum Trainers. Everyone who completes it gets a PSM I password. Students in official live classes who take the test within 14 days and score below 85% get a second attempt free (Scrum.org PSM course). Scrum.org also says attendees can claim 14 PMI PDUs, which helps if you also hold PMP.

Which is harder, CSM or PSM I?

PSM I is the harder exam. You need 85% across 80 questions in the same 60 minutes that CSM gives you for 50 questions at a 74% pass mark (Scrum.org, Scrum Alliance). That works out to under a minute per PSM I question, with almost no room for mistakes. Many questions also ask you to pick every correct option.

CSM's difficulty lies elsewhere. You must spend 16 hours in class and pay a trainer, and you have to keep renewing. Its exam is more forgiving, and your trainer prepares you for it directly.

Which Scrum Master certification is better for jobs in India?

Neither is better for every job seeker. Indian job listings for Scrum Master and agile delivery roles mention both, so check the postings you are targeting. Then choose on cost, how you like to learn, and whether you want to renew.

Choose CSM if:

• You learn better in a live class with an experienced trainer and peers
• Your employer is paying, which is common when IT services firms move teams to agile
• You want a clear path to Advanced CSM (A-CSM) and Certified Scrum Professional-ScrumMaster, which Scrum Alliance offers next (Scrum Alliance)

Choose PSM I if:

• You are paying yourself and are comfortable studying alone. USD 200 is usually far less than a CSM course.
• You want a credential that never expires
• You want proof of a demanding pass mark. Scrum.org's next level, PSM II, costs USD 250 and has 30 questions in 90 minutes with an 85% pass mark (Scrum.org PSM II).

Scrum Alliance itself says you do not need a certification to work as a Scrum Master, although some employers ask for one (Scrum Alliance). Either way, experience matters more. A certificate holder who has run real sprint planning, retrospectives and backlog refinement will interview far better than one who has not.

Can freshers get a Scrum Master job in India with a certification?

Rarely, on certification alone. Scrum Master roles involve coaching a team, removing blockers and working with the Product Owner and stakeholders. Most Indian employers expect several years on delivery teams before they trust someone with that role. In the Scrum Guide, the Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum and improving the team's effectiveness (Scrum Guide), and that is hard to do without having been on a team.

A practical path for freshers:

1. Start as a developer, tester or business analyst on a team that uses Scrum.
2. Volunteer to run stand-ups or retrospectives when the Scrum Master is away.
3. Take PSM I cheaply in your first year or two, to formalise what you are learning.
4. Move to a Scrum Master or agile delivery role once you have real ceremonies and outcomes to talk about.

What do most guides on CSM vs PSM get wrong?

Most guides make three mistakes. They call PSM I "easy because there is no course", they quote one CSM price, and they ignore what CSM costs to keep.

• No course does not mean easy. PSM I's 85% pass mark on 80 questions in 60 minutes is stricter than CSM's 37 out of 50. Self-study works, but only if you know the Scrum Guide closely.
• There is no single CSM price. Trainers set their own fees, and Scrum Alliance's published range covers a factor of ten (Scrum Alliance). Any blog quoting "the CSM fee in India" is quoting one trainer.
• Renewal changes the long-term cost. Over ten years, CSM needs five renewals at USD 100 each plus 20 SEUs each time (Scrum Alliance renewal). PSM I needs none.
• "Lifetime" has a catch. A PSM I password is good for one attempt only. If you fail, you buy another (Scrum.org).

How does a Scrum Master certification compare with PMP?

Scrum certifications cover one agile framework at entry level. PMP is a broader project management credential that requires years of project leadership before you can apply. If you manage delivery across mixed agile and traditional projects, our PMP certification guide for India explains its eligibility rules and exam. If you lean towards product work, see how to become a product manager in India.

Whichever certificate you earn, put it next to concrete outcomes on your resume, such as sprint goals met or cycle time reduced. Our guide on how to list skills on a resume shows how.

FAQ

Which is better in India, CSM or PSM?

Neither is better for everyone. Indian employers list both for Scrum Master roles. Choose CSM if you want a guided 16-hour class, your employer is paying, or you plan to take Scrum Alliance's advanced levels. Choose PSM I if you are paying yourself and can study alone. It costs USD 200 per attempt and never expires.

What is the passing score for CSM and PSM I?

For CSM, you need 37 correct answers out of 50 multiple-choice questions within one hour, which is 74%. For PSM I, you need 85% on 80 questions, also within 60 minutes. PSM I questions include multiple-answer and true/false formats, so it is generally the harder of the two tests.

How much does PSM I cost?

As of October 2026, Scrum.org charges USD 200 per PSM I attempt as a one-time payment, and taxes may be added at checkout. A password covers one attempt and never expires. If you take Scrum.org's official Professional Scrum Master course, a password is included, and a free second attempt applies if you test within 14 days.

Does CSM certification expire?

Yes. CSM is valid for two years. To renew it, you pay USD 100 to Scrum Alliance and log 20 Scrum Education Units from activities such as books, webinars and events. Earning another Scrum Alliance certification automatically renews the others. PSM I from Scrum.org, by contrast, is a lifetime credential with no renewal.

Can I take PSM I without a course?

Yes. Scrum.org does not require a course for PSM I, although it strongly recommends one. Many candidates prepare by studying the Scrum Guide closely and practising on Scrum.org's free open assessment, then buy a USD 200 password. CSM is different. You can only take its test after completing a 16-hour course with a Certified Scrum Trainer.

Can a fresher become a Scrum Master in India?

It is uncommon. Scrum Masters coach teams and remove blockers, so Indian employers usually want several years on delivery teams first. Scrum Alliance also says certification is not required for Scrum Master jobs. A realistic path is to join a Scrum team as a developer, tester or analyst, run some ceremonies, and earn PSM I along the way.

Final thoughts

CSM and PSM I certify the same framework. CSM comes with a guided class and needs renewal. PSM I tests you harder and lasts for life. Pick the one that fits your budget and how you learn, then use the Asuraa resume reviewer to check that your resume matches the Scrum Master jobs you are applying for.