Deck rating / cadet to Second Mate (FG) via the six-month competency course (DGS Circular 26 of 2026)
Official reference: DGS Circular 26 of 2026 (19 May 2026) · Annexure-I Flow Diagram II/1-1 (B)
Since July 2026 a deck rating or deck cadet who did an approved pre-sea course and has long foreign-going sea service, including supervised bridge watch-keeping recorded in a training record book, can take a six-month competency course in India instead of the NWKO (NCV) route, then the post-sea proficiency courses and the Second Mate (foreign-going) written and oral examinations. The entry qualification is wider than the TEAP ratings stream: 12th in any stream, any degree or diploma, or 10th with an ITI trade certificate. 10th Standard alone does not qualify.
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: 12th Standard, any stream
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗Class 12 in any stream.
…or any graduation degree or any diploma
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗Any graduate degree or any diploma.
…or 10th Standard plus an ITI trade certificate
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗Class 10 plus an ITI trade certificate.
At least 18 years old.
Pre-sea: approved GP rating course or deck cadet course
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗Completed an approved pre-sea GP rating course or a deck cadet course.
Medical fitness
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗Medically fit to the prescribed standard.
Pre-sea medical examination by a DGS-approved medical examiner
Medical Examination Rules 2000, Rule 6 ↗A medical examination by a DGS-approved medical examiner, done after selection for pre-sea training.
MS (Medical Examination) Rules 2000 are the operative rules. TEAP I/9 names 'Medical Examination Rules 2013', which DGMA does not publish; the MS (Medical) Rules 2026 (r.22 same arrangement) are PROPOSED — gazette number G.S.R. XX — and replace the 2000 Rules only on publication
Step by step
- 1
Foreign-going sea service
At least 36 months of approved sea service on foreign-going ships.
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗ - 2
Supervised bridge watch-keeping recorded in a TRB
The service must include at least six months of supervised bridge watchkeeping.
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗ - 3
Foundation Course (PCME)
The two-month Foundation Course (PCME), which may be taken after 18 months of sea service.
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗ - 4
Six-month competency course (from July 2026)
The six-month competency course runs from July 2026.
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗ - 5
Proficiency courses: ROSC, ARPA, ECDIS, GMDSS GOC, PSC&RB, AFF, MFA (+ STSDSD)
The proficiency courses — ROSC, ARPA, ECDIS, GMDSS GOC, PSCRB, AFF, MFA and STSDSD.
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗ - 6
Second Mate (FG) written and oral examinations
Eligibility to sit the Second Mate (foreign-going) examination.
DGS Circular 26 of 2026 ↗ - 7
Certificate of Competency: Second Mate of a foreign-going ship (OIC NW)
The Certificate of Competency is issued in Form 1 (Second Mate, foreign-going).
M.S. (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 20 ↗
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 20 sets the rating alternative: at least thirty-six months of approved sea service in the deck department.
The circular adds the six-month course as an additional pathway alongside the existing NWKO (NCV) route.
The circular amends the relevant provisions of Chapter II, Section II/1 of TEAP Manual Part A.
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.