Becoming a seafarer: the Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) — rules from 1 August 2026
Official reference: MS (CDC) Rules 2017 rr.3, 4, 6 · DGS Order 12 of 2026 · DGMA Circulars 45 and 71 of 2026 · MS (ML) Rules 2016 r.4
Every Indian seafarer needs a Continuous Discharge Certificate. The CDC Rules require Indian citizenship, medical fitness, the five basic safety and security courses, the minimum age and 10th Standard. Since 1 August 2026 the five basic courses alone are no longer enough: the applicant must also belong to one of the DGS Order 12 categories — approved pre-sea training (GP rating, CCMC, cadet courses), Agniveer discharge, hotel-management/hospitality qualification with the OCCP course (or, exceptionally, a cruise-only CDC through an approved cruise recruitment company), retired Indian Navy, a cook CoC, or any CoC. Applications are made on the e-Samudra portal. CDCs issued earlier remain valid. A draft MS (CDC) Rules 2026 under the MS Act 2025 has been published but not notified.
Where this route can take you
Who can apply
Each requirement is summarised from the official publication linked beside it — follow the link for the exact wording.
Indian citizen
M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017, Rule 4 ↗Indian citizenship.
Medically fit, with a certificate under the Medical Examination Rules 2000
M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017, Rule 4 ↗Medically fit, holding a valid medical fitness certificate under the Medical Examination Rules 2000.
Five basic safety and security courses (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR, STSDSD)
M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017, Rule 4 ↗The five basic safety and security courses (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR, STSDSD) completed at an approved training institute.
Minimum age for a CDC
M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017, Rule 4 ↗At least 18 years old.
Passed 10th Standard
M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017, Rule 4 ↗Class 10 pass.
AND one category — 1: DG-approved pre-sea training
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗DG-approved pre-sea training plus the five basic STCW courses.
…or 2: Agniveer discharge certificate
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗An Agniveer discharge certificate plus the five basic STCW courses.
…or 3a: hotel-management / hospitality qualification + OCCP
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗The DG-approved Orientation Course for Catering Personnel (OCCP).
…or 3b (exceptional): cruise hospitality via approved cruise recruitment company — cruise-only CDC
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗The CDC is issued for cruise and passenger vessels only.
…or 4: retired Indian Navy officer or sailor
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗A valid discharge certificate as a retired Indian Naval officer or sailor.
…or 5: cook Certificate of Competency
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗A Cook Certificate of Competency issued by the Government of India.
…or 6: any Certificate of Competency
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗A Certificate of Competency issued or recognised by the Government of India.
Five basic courses alone no longer qualify
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗The five basic STCW courses alone no longer qualify a candidate for an Indian CDC.
Earlier CDCs stay valid
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗CDCs issued before this order took effect remain valid.
General minimum age for work on a ship
M.S. (ML) Rules 2016, Rule 4 ↗No one under 16 may be employed or engaged to work on a ship.
Relaxation: ex-servicemen (Army Class I exam + 15 years' service) instead of 10th
DGS Order 3 of 2019 ↗Ex-servicemen with an Army Class I certificate and 15 years' service are accepted instead of the Class 10 requirement.
DGS Order 3/2019 (OCR text reads '10*h'); whether it survives Order 12/2026's supersession of inconsistent orders is not stated
Relaxation expired: Minicoy (Lakshadweep) ST natives — 8th Standard, valid only to 8 May 2026
DGS Order 5 of 2024 ↗The Minicoy (Lakshadweep) relaxation ran for three further years and is no longer in force.
Step by step
- 1
Qualify under one Order 12 category (e.g. pre-sea course) incl. the five basic courses
DGS Order 12 of 2026 restricts new Indian CDCs to the listed categories.
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗ - 2
Medical examination
A medical certificate confirming fitness to work on board.
M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017, Rule 4 ↗ - 3
Apply online on the e-Samudra portal (all CDC categories)
The application is submitted through the e-Samudra portal only.
DGS Circular 71 of 2026 ↗ - 4
Issue of the CDC by the Shipping Master (Form-2)
The Shipping Master signs, seals and issues the CDC.
M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017, Rule 6 ↗
The rules behind this route
Rules made under the repealed Merchant Shipping Act 1958 continue in force under section 324(2)(a) of the Merchant Shipping Act 2025.
MS Act 2025 s.324(2)(a): rules made under the repealed MS Act 1958 continue in force
Rule 4 of the M.S. (CDC) Rules 2017 sets out CDC eligibility.
DGS Order 12 of 2026 restricts new Indian CDCs to the listed categories.
The order takes effect from 1 August 2026.
This page is built from the official DGS Training and Examination Advisory Programme (the TEAP manual) and the current orders of DGMA (the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, called DG Shipping until June 2026). Requirements are summarised in plain language — every section links to the official publication for the exact wording. Requirements made under the old Merchant Shipping Act 1958 still apply under the new Merchant Shipping Act 2025.