Engineer officer via the Alternate Training Scheme (institute – sea – institute)
Official reference: TEAP Part A III/1 para 4.6 · Flow Diagram III/1-2 · Appendix III/1A.6
A 10+2 PCM school-leaver trains for a year at an approved institute, then serves on board as an engineer cadet, returns to the institute for a final phase, passes MEO Class IV Part A, serves documented sea service as trainee engineer, completes the advanced safety and engine-room simulator courses and passes Part B.
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.
Academic: 10+2 with PCM and English
TEAP manual, Part A ↗Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English as separate subjects, averaging at least 60% across PCM.
Full-time qualification only
TEAP manual, Part A ↗Only full-time qualifications count — part-time, distance-learning and correspondence courses are not accepted.
Age at issue of certificate
M.S. (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 35 ↗At least 18 years old when the certificate is issued.
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
Phase I at institute, Phase II on board as cadet, Phase III at institute
Phase I is a year at the institute; Phase II is nine months of structured on-board training as a cadet.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 2
MEO Class IV Part A
The MEO Class IV Part A examination — which may be taken after six months of sea service.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 3
Sea service as trainee engineer in charge of watch
Six months of documented sea service as a trainee engineer in charge of a watch.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 4
Advanced safety courses and operational-level ERS course
The three advanced safety courses plus the operational-level Engine Room Simulator course.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 5
MEO Class IV Part B written and oral examination (four functions)
The Part B written and oral examination across the four engineering functions.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 6
Certificate of Competency: MEO Class IV (OIC EW, Form 14)
The Certificate of Competency is issued in Form 14 (MEO Class IV).
M.S. (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 35 ↗
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 35 requires combined workshop-skills training plus at least twelve months of approved sea service.
The TEAP manual defines ten entry streams to MEO Class IV in the engine department.
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.