Corrective measures and Decisions

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under section 456 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 as amended and in supersession of all previous instructions or orders to the extent inconsistent with this order, the following is hereby ordered:

1. Discontinuation of Indian CDC issuance via 5 Basic STCW courses route:
The issuance of Indian CDCs based solely on the completion of the following five STCW courses such as Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR) and Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) shall be discontinued.

2. Permitted routes for Indian CDC Issuance:
Henceforth, Indian Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) shall be issued only to candidates belonging to the following categories. However, all other eligibility criteria such as educational qualifications, medical fitness and age etc., as stipulated in the Merchant Shipping (CDC) Rules, 2017, shall remain unchanged:

a. Pre-Sea Training Certificate Holders: Candidates who have successfully completed DG Shipping-approved pre-sea training courses and, in addition, have completed the five Basic STCW courses.

b. Agniveer Candidates: Agniveer discharge certificate and have completed the five Basic STCW courses.

c. Hospitality Sector Candidates: Candidates holding a degree, diploma, or certificate in hotel management or equivalent course for hospitality industry etc, completed DG Shipping approved Orientation Course for Catering Personnel (OCCP) and have completed the five Basic STCW courses. The CDCs so issued will be with limitations for service on cruise vessels only.

d. Ex-Indian Navy Personnels: Retired Indian Naval officers or sailors in possession of a valid discharge certificate and who have completed the five Basic STCW courses.

e. Certified Welders / Fitters / Mechanics /Electricians / Plumbers: Candidates who have completed a welding course certified by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), or those who hold a diploma/degree in fitter, mechanic, electrical, plumbing, or computer trades from any Industrial Training Institute (ITI) or an equivalent qualification from a recognised organisation approved by the Government of India or any State Government, shall be eligible, provided they have also completed the five mandatory Basic STCW courses.

f. Certified Cooks: Candidates holding a Cook Certificate of Competency (CoC) issued by the Government of India, and who have completed the five Basic STCW courses.

g. Certificate of Competency (CoC) Holders: Candidates holding a Certificate of Competency issued by the Government of India or a CoC recognised by the Government of India, and who have completed the five Basic STCW courses.

3. Directives to Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs)
All DG Shipping approved MTIs are instructed to cease advertising or offering standalone 5 basic STCW courses as a route to obtaining CDCs. Non-compliance may attract penal action including suspension or withdrawal of approval.

4. Enhancing the quality of the rating seafarers – In order to further add on to the quality of the Indian seafarers from rating background, the following measures will be implemented.

a. Fifty percent (50%) of the seats in any GP Rating training course shall be reserved for candidates possessing additional qualifications, such as completion of a welding course certified by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), or holding a diploma/degree in fitter, electrical, mechanic, plumbing, or computer trades from any Industrial Training Institute (ITI) or an equivalent qualification from a recognised organisation approved by the Government of India or any State Government.

b. The upper age limit for entry into GP Rating training courses approved by the Director General shall be increased to 28 years, as against the existing limit of 25 years. The age relaxation applicable to SC/ST candidates, as stipulated in Training Circular No. 04 of 2014 dated 10.04.2014, shall continue to remain valid.

4. Public Awareness Public advisory campaign would be launched through DG Shipping social media handles and othermediums to inform aspirants, students, parents and other stakeholders about this policy change and to highlight the genuine and structured career pathways in the maritime sector.

5. Monitoring and Review

a. This order shall be subject to periodic review based on employment data, stakeholder feedback and developments in international standards.

b. In order to safeguard the interests of genuine seafarers and uphold public interest, it is hereby clarified that all CDC applications submitted to the Shipping Master’s office prior to the issuance of this DGS Order shall be processed as per existing rules.

c. The said decision has been taken in light of systemic misuse, irregularities and to ensure only qualified and appropriately trained candidates as per the revised eligibility criteria are only issued Indian CDCs and No transitional relaxation shall apply under this Order.

d. The renewal of CDCs for seafarers will continue to be carried out based on the eligibility criteria stipulated in the MS (CDC) Rules, 2017 as amended from time to time.

6. This order shall come into effect from 01.04.2026.

7. All stakeholders are advised to comply strictly with the revised eligibility framework with immediate effect. Any violation of the above guidelines by Maritime training institute will be viewed as major violation for taking administrative action by DG Shipping. Further, all Government Shipping Offices, Surveyors of the maritime administration / Recognized Organization, Maritime training Institute are required to implement the above requirement