Former scheme: deck rating with 10th Standard to Second Mate (FG) (M.S. Notice 20 of 2008) — obsolete
Official reference: M.S. Notice 20 of 2008
From 2008 DGS allowed deck ratings with only 10th Standard to reach Second Mate (foreign-going) through long sea service, the foundation course, the NWKO (NCV) course and certificate, service as NCV officer and the Second Mate competency course. DGS now marks the notice obsolete and included in TEAP, whose ratings stream requires 10+2 with PCM; DGS Circular 26 of 2026 reopened a route for 10th with an ITI certificate, not 10th alone. A 10th-only rating today goes via the near-coastal ladder (NWKO NCV, then Master NCV, then conversion).
This route has been replaced by a newer scheme.
We keep it here for reference so nothing is lost. The current route is:
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.
Education (2008 scheme): 10th Standard
DGS Notice 20 of 2008 ↗Class 10 pass (under the 2008 scheme).
Status: obsolete
DGS Notice 20 of 2008 ↗This scheme is obsolete — its provisions have been absorbed into the current TEAP manual.
Step by step
- 1
Sea service with bridge watch-keeping (2008 scheme)
36 months of sea service including bridge watchkeeping duties.
DGS Notice 20 of 2008 ↗ - 2
NWKO NCV course, examination and certificate (2008 scheme)
The NWKO NCV certificate is awarded.
DGS Notice 20 of 2008 ↗ - 3
Service as NWKO NCV officer (2008 scheme)
Six months of service as an NWKO NCV officer on a trading ship above 500 GT (2008 scheme).
DGS Notice 20 of 2008 ↗ - 4
Second Mate competency course and examinations (2008 scheme)
The four-month Second Mate (FG) competency course.
DGS Notice 20 of 2008 ↗
The rules behind this route
The notice set out the former scheme allowing deck ratings with Class 10 to sit the Second Mate (FG) examination.
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.