Capt. Kapil Yadav 
For seafarers, building a career at sea often means meeting separate training, sea-service and competency requirements for different shipboard duties. This can make the certification process confusing, particularly for those seeking experience across both deck and engine-room functions. To address this need, DGMA Circular No. 53 of 2026 sets out an alternative pathway for eligible … Read more
For a seafarer, facing grievances and issues is very common. But when concerns go unheard or unresolved, it quickly turns into frustration, especially when the person raising the grievance is unsure of its status or what to do next. To address such challenges and make the grievance-handling process more organised and accessible, the Directorate General … Read more
A seafarer spends months away from home, working through long voyages, unpredictable weather, and demanding conditions at sea. But when a serious illness suddenly enters the picture, it also brings financial uncertainty and interruption of a seafarer’s career. This is where welfare support can make a meaningful difference. The DGMA medical support scheme provides a … Read more
The Continuous Discharge Certificate is the single most important document in an Indian seafarer’s career. If you’re wondering how to apply for CDC online, the entire process runs through the DGMA e-Governance portal. CDC stands for Continuous Discharge Certificate. It functions as your seafarer’s passport, recording every sea service detail across your career. Without a … Read more
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has rolled out BSID Version 2.0 for issuance of the Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document to Indian seafarers, effective 1st August 2026, via DGMA Circular No. 44 of 2026. If you’re wondering how to get BSID card under this updated system, the answer is simpler than the old process. … Read more
The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) runs 12 welfare schemes for Indian seafarers and their families — covering death, disability, maternity, retirement, education, and more. DGMA Circular 39 brings all 12 schemes into one document and raises the payout for almost every one of them, in some cases nearly tripling the amount. This guide explains … Read more
The movement of seafarers through Indian ports depends on efficient immigration procedures that ensure both operational continuity and regulatory compliance. To streamline these processes, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has introduced DGMA Circular 38 of 2026, bringing revised guidelines for Shore Leave Pass (SLP) and crew change (sign-on/sign-off). The updated provisions aim to … Read more
Ask any Deck Rating who has spent three years at sea what comes next, and you’ll usually hear some version of the same answer: a long, expensive detour overseas. For as long as most Indian seafarers can remember, moving from rating to officer meant boarding a flight to a foreign training academy, paying tuition in … Read more
What is DNS Course in Merchant Navy? Eligibility & Career
Check out the updated 2026 CDC eligibility criteria and new DGMA rules. Find approved pathways, age limits, and guidelines starting August 1 What are the reasons behind the CDC Eligibility Criteria 2026? CDC Eligibility Criteria 2026 is one of the most structural and revolutionary changes coming in India’s marine history. Developed by the Director General … Read more
