How to Get BSID Card: Complete Guide

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. The new portal handles fresh applications, renewals, duplicate requests, and card replacements, all from a single interface. Over 4 lakh BSID cards have been issued to Indian seafarers since the system first launched in 2019, and Version 2.0 is designed to fix the problems that plagued the old module.

Quick terms: BSID = Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document (your chip-based identity card). CDC = Continuous Discharge Certificate (your sea-service record booklet). INDoS = Indian National Database of Seafarers (your unique seafarer ID number). SID = Seafarer’s Identity Document (the generic term; BSID is the biometric version). CDAC = Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (the agency that built the BSID 2.0 platform). OTP = One-Time Password (sent to your registered mobile during login).

How to Apply for BSID Card Online: Step-by-Step Guide

The BSID 2.0 application is handled through the official portal. The following steps are based on the official CDAC-prepared BSID V2.0 Seafarer User Manual annexed to DGMA Circular No. 44 of 2026. Here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1: Update Your DGMA INDoS Profile

Log into your Biometric Seafarer Identity Document Portal and verify that all personal details, including your name, date of birth, CDC number, passport number, and contact information, are accurate and up to date.

Tip: Do this BEFORE opening the BSID portal. The SID application form pulls data directly from your INDoS profile. If anything is wrong here, the form will auto-fill incorrect information that you cannot edit during the application. Mismatched data between your INDoS profile and your actual documents is the single most common reason for application rejection.

Step 2: Log in to the BSID 2.0 Portal

Visit the official BSID portal and log in using your INDoS number as your User ID and your INDoS password. After entering your credentials and the security code (CAPTCHA), you’ll receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP to complete authentication.

After entering your credentials and the security code (CAPTCHA), you’ll receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP to complete authentication.

Tip: OTP verification is new in Version 2.0. Make sure the mobile number linked to your INDoS profile is active and accessible. If you’ve changed your phone number, update it in your Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) profile before attempting to log in.

Step 3: Navigate to the Dashboard and Select ‘Apply for SID’

After login, you’ll see the BSID Portal Dashboard showing your current SID application status (if any), the number of cancelled appointments, rejected applications, and payment status.

The dashboard also displays the Application Process Timeline with seven stages: Application Submitted, Payment Processed, Biometric Data Capture, Data Verification, SID Issued, Card Printed, and Dispatched.

Go to the Forms section from the left-hand menu. You’ll see six options: Apply for SID (fresh application), SID Renewal, Schedule Appointment, Cancel Appointment, Duplicate SID Request, and Replace SID Request. For a first-time application, select Apply for SID.

Step 4: Verify Your INDoS and CDC Details (Section 1)

The form displays your INDoS number, CDC number, date of issue, issuing authority, CDC issue date, and CDC expiry date. All of this is pulled automatically from your INDoS profile. Verify every field carefully.

Tip: You cannot edit these fields in the application form. If anything is incorrect, stop here and correct your profile through the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA)  Portal first. The SID application should only be completed after ensuring that all INDoS details are accurate.

Step 5: Verify Your Personal Details (Section 2)

The form auto-fills your first name, middle name, last name, father’s name, date of birth, sex, nationality, place of birth, email address, mobile number, height (in cm), and identification marks. Again, all of this comes from your INDoS profile. Check every field against your passport and CDC.

Step 6: Fill the Dispatch Address (Section 3)

This is the only section you fill manually. Enter the complete address where you want your BSID card delivered via Speed Post: house number, street, village/post office/tehsil, district, state, PIN code, phone number with STD code, and nearest police station.

Tip: Use a reliable address where someone can receive a Speed Post AD delivery. If you’re frequently at sea, use a family member’s address. The card won’t be re-dispatched if the first delivery attempt fails.

Step 7: Complete Other Details (Section 4)

Answer whether you’ve applied for SID before and declare your debarment status for both CDC and SID (select ‘Yes, I am debarred’ or ‘No, I am not debarred’). Also confirm whether you currently possess a valid Indian Passport and Indian CDC.

Tip: Answer honestly. Selecting the wrong debarment status or misrepresenting your document possession can result in application rejection or, worse, delays that surface when you’re trying to join a vessel.

Step 8: Review Consent & Declaration, Then Submit (Section 5)

The form displays your photo and signature from the INDoS/client database (note: these are for your BSID profile only and will not appear on the physical SID card). The actual photo and signature on your card are captured during the biometric data capturing appointment.

Review the Purpose Limitation Compliance statement, which confirms that your personal data will be used only for SID processing, verification, appointment handling, and issuance, in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Check the consent and declaration boxes, then click Submit Application.

On successful submission, you’ll see a confirmation with your Application Reference Number. Save this number. You can then proceed directly to payment or return to the dashboard.

Step 9: Make Payment

From the Make Payment section, select the appropriate payment type based on what you need.

Payment is processed via the BillDesk gateway. You can pay using credit card, debit card, net banking, or wallets. 

After successful payment, download the receipt by clicking the Download Receipt button.

 The receipt shows your INDoS number, transaction ID, order/reference ID, amount paid, payment mode, date and time, and status.

Tip: If the payment doesn’t reflect immediately, wait 1 to 2 working days. Do not make a duplicate payment. If there’s a payment issue, contact the BSID helpdesk with your transaction ID.

Step 10: Schedule Your Appointment

After payment is processed, go to Forms and select Schedule Appointment. The scheduling process works in four steps:

Step 1: Select Appointment Type — Choose Fresh Appointment, UK/Brazil Appointment, Duplicate SID Appointment, Replace SID Appointment, or SID Renewal Appointment based on what you applied for. 

Options you’re not eligible for will appear greyed out.

Step 2: Select Collection Centre — Choose from the available centres across India. Each centre card shows the city name, location, contact number, email, and a ‘View Map’ option.

Step 3: Select Date — The calendar shows available dates for the next 30 days (excluding weekends and holidays). Each date displays the number of available slots.

Step 4: Select Time Slot — Choose from the available time slots (e.g., 10:00-11:00, 12:10-13:10, 13:15-14:15, 14:25-15:25). Each slot shows its capacity, available seats, and booked count. Click Confirm & Schedule Appointment.

Tip: Appointments are available approximately 15 days out. Book early for busy centres like Mumbai and Chennai. For UK/Brazil urgent joinings, the express option lets you collect your card the same day (evening) from the Shipping Master offices at Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata.

Step 11: Print Your Documents

Go to Print Documents from the left menu and download a PDF of your SID application form. Print this document and carry it to your appointment along with your original passport and original CDC.

Step 12: Visit the Collection Centre for Biometric Data Capturing

Report to your chosen collection centre on the scheduled date and time with all your documents. Here’s what happens at the centre:

The data capturing personnel will examine your original passport and original CDC, verify them against your online application, and return the originals to you. They will then capture your facial biometric data (photograph) and signature. Your live face is cross-matched against your passport photo using facial identification and matching software.

Tip: Arrive on time. Late arrivals risk losing their slot. Keep your face clearly visible (no sunglasses, hat, or face covering). The photo and signature captured here are the ones that appear on your actual SID card, not the ones shown during the online application.

Step 13: Track Your Application and Receive Your Card

After the appointment, go to the Application Status section in the portal to track your card through eight verification stages:

Once the Issuing Officer has issued your SID, you can view your SID card digitally in the Application Status section by clicking View SID Card. The physical card will be dispatched to your registered dispatch address. You’ll receive notifications for important status changes via email and SMS.

Tip: The portal says status updates take about 15 working days. From practical experience, physical card delivery can take 2 weeks to 2 months depending on processing backlog and postal delivery times.

Renewal, Duplicate, and Replace: The Three New Workflows

SID Renewal

If your SID card has expired or has completed its five-year validity period, you can apply for renewal through the portal. Select SID Renewal from the Forms menu. The form pre-fills your existing SID details (SID number, application ID, name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, and identification marks) as read-only. Verify the details, accept the Purpose Limitation Compliance and declaration, then click Submit Renewal. After submission, complete the payment and schedule a Renewal SID Appointment at your preferred collection centre.

Duplicate SID (Lost or Damaged Card)

If your SID card is lost, damaged, or unusable, select Duplicate SID Request from the Forms menu. You’ll need to enter your FIR/complaint number, date, police station name, country, state, and district, then upload a copy of the FIR or complaint (PDF or image format). Click Submit Duplicate Request. After submission, complete the payment and schedule a Duplicate SID Appointment. Once approved by the Issuing Officer, the duplicate card is dispatched to your correspondence address.

Replace SID (Corrections to Card Details)

If you need corrections or modifications to the details printed on your existing SID card, select Replace SID Request from the Forms menu. Select the reason for replacement, upload a copy of your existing SID card and any supporting document relevant to the correction (PDF or image format, max 2 MB), then click Submit Replace Request. After submission, complete the payment and schedule a Replace SID Appointment.

Important note for all three: if you have an existing appointment that hasn’t been used yet, you’ll need to cancel it before scheduling a new one.

BSID Data Collection Centres Across India

The BSID 2.0 portal lists the following data collection centres. You can choose any centre regardless of where your CDC was issued:

BSID Data Collection Centres Across India with Full Addresses, Contact Numbers & Email IDs

Source: Official MMD/DGMA Records | BSID Version 2.0 Portal | August 2026

Sr.	Centre (State)	Full Address	Contact No.	Email ID
1	Chennai (Tamil Nadu)	Govt. Shipping Office, Anchorgate Building, 2nd Floor, P.B. No. 5004, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001	044-25255555 / 25233336	chennai-mmd@gov.in
2	Kolkata (West Bengal)	Govt. Shipping Office, Marine House, Hastings, Kolkata – 700 022	033-2223 0236/37/38	pommd.kol-wb@gov.in
3	Vizag (Andhra Pradesh)	MMD Visakhapatnam, # 7-8-26/A, Harbour Park Down, Visakhapatnam – 530 003	0891-2502148 / 2525475	mmdvizag@gmail.com
4	Andaman & Nicobar (A&N Islands)	MMD Port Blair, GPRA Lamba Lane, Junglighat P.O., Port Blair – 744 101	03192-232530	mmdportblair@gmail.com
5	Noida (Delhi NCR)	MMD Noida, IWAI Bhawan, 3rd Floor, A-13, Sector-1, Noida – 201 301	0120-2420742	mmdnoida@gmail.com
6	Mumbai (Maharashtra)	Govt. Shipping Office, Nau Bhavan Building, 10, R.K. Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai – 400 001	022-2269 7971/7972	mumbai-mmd@gov.in
7	Goa (Goa)	MMD Goa, Mercantile Marine Department, Headland Sada, Goa – 403 804	0832-2520617	mmdgoa@sancharnet.in
8	New Mangalore (Karnataka)	MMD Mangalore, Type V Qtrs., 1st Floor, MMD Resi Qtr. Bldg, 23rd Street, Panambur, Mangalore – 575 010	0824-2400430 / 2407572	mlr-sicmmd@gov.in
9	Kochi (Kerala)	MMD Kochi, Willington Island, North End P.O., Kochi – 682 009	0484-2666489 / 2587000	kochi-mmd@gov.in
10	Kandla (Gujarat)	MMD Kandla, Plot No. 16, Sector-8, Govt. Office Area, Behind KPT Admin Bldg, Near Maitri Bhavan, Gandhidham – 370 201	02836-297015 / 297127	kandla-mmd@gov.in

Important Notes:

• Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a new addition in BSID Version 2.0, bringing the total to 10 collection centres across India.

• Seafarers can choose any collection centre regardless of where their CDC was issued or where they reside.

• The Shipping Master offices at Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai are the designated issuing authorities for BSID cards.

• For UK/Brazil express appointments, same-day card collection is available only at Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

• Addresses and contacts are sourced from official DGMA/MMD records (mmd.gov.in). Please verify with the respective office before visiting, as offices may relocate.

Why DGMA Rolled Out BSID Version 2.0

The original BSID module went live on 5th April 2019 and handled initial card issuance well enough, but cracks showed as the system scaled. DGMA Circular No. 44 of 2026 flags three core problems that forced the upgrade. They were namely, outdated issuing software that couldn’t keep up with maritime demands, zero online provisioning for renewals, replacements, or duplicate cards (which left seafarers stranded at foreign ports and sometimes triggered fines on their vessels), and the need to stay compliant with evolving ILO Convention No. 185 standards.

One important thing to note: if you already hold a valid BSID, you don’t need to do anything. Existing cards remain valid until their expiry date. Version 2.0 only applies to fresh applications, renewals, duplicate requests, and replacements processed from 1st August 2026 onward.

What’s New in BSID Version 2.0?

Version 2.0 isn’t just a cosmetic refresh. It adds features that were entirely missing from the original system and fixes workflows that caused real problems for seafarers:

Feature	Old System (V1.0)	New System (V2.0)
Login	INDoS number + password only	INDoS number + password + OTP verification on registered mobile
Fresh SID Application	Available	Available with improved interface
SID Renewal	Not available online	Now available: dedicated renewal form with existing SID details pre-filled
Duplicate SID (Lost/Damaged)	Not available online	Now available: requires FIR/complaint upload, dispatched without new appointment in some cases
Replace SID (Corrections)	Not available online	Now available: upload existing SID + supporting documents (PDF/image, max 2 MB)
Application Dashboard	Basic	Visual timeline tracking: Application Submitted → Payment Processed → Biometric Data Capture → Data Verification → SID Issued → Card Printed → Dispatched
Appointment Types	Fresh only	Fresh, Lockdown, UK/Brazil, Duplicate SID, Replace SID, SID Renewal
Payment Gateway	Basic	Upgraded via BillDesk with receipt download
Data Protection	Not specified	Explicit consent under Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
Cancellation Policy	Up to 2 cancellations	Up to 3 cancellations before verification; after that, re-payment required
Facial Biometrics	Available	Upgraded technology with better accuracy
Grievance Management	Not available in portal	Built-in grievance management module

The biggest practical impact is the addition of renewal, duplicate, and replace requests. Before Version 2.0, if your BSID expired or was lost, you were stuck in a process that caused delays at foreign ports. Now you can handle all of this from the same portal.

BSID Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

Not every Indian citizen can apply for a BSID. The card is specifically for seafarers, and the eligibility criteria are straightforward:

Requirement	Details
Nationality	Must be an Indian citizen
CDC	Must hold a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) issued by the Government of India
Passport	Must hold a valid Indian passport
INDoS Registration	Must have an active INDoS number with up-to-date profile
Debarment Status	Must not be debarred from CDC or SID

That’s it. No age limit, no minimum sea service requirement, and no specific rank restriction. If you have a valid Indian CDC and passport, you qualify. This includes seafarers who’ve just completed their training at a DGMA-approved maritime training institute and received their first CDC, as well as experienced officers and ratings.

Check out the updated 2026 CDC eligibility criteria and new DGMA rules here.

Documents Required for BSID Application

Before you begin, make sure you have your original Indian passport, original CDC, INDoS login credentials, and access to your registered mobile number for OTP verification. After completing the online form, print the application and download your payment receipt, as you’ll need both at the collection centre along with your originals. If you’re applying for a duplicate SID, you’ll also need to upload a copy of your FIR or police complaint during the application. For a replacement SID, upload a copy of your existing card and any supporting document for the correction (PDF or image, max 2 MB).

Appointment Cancellation Policy

Under BSID Version 2.0, you can cancel a scheduled appointment only until it has been verified by the Verification Officer. A maximum of three appointment cancellations is permitted. Once this limit is exceeded, you’ll need to make a fresh payment before booking a new appointment. This is stricter documentation than the old policy but more clearly enforced through the new portal.

Common Mistakes and Quick Tips

• Mismatched data between your INDoS profile, CDC, and passport will get your application rejected. Verify everything matches before you apply.
• Keep your registered mobile number current. BSID 2.0 requires OTP login, so no working number means no portal access.
• The photo in the online form is from your INDoS profile, not your final card. Your actual SID photo and signature are captured at the collection centre.
• If your payment doesn’t reflect right away, wait 1 to 2 working days. Don’t pay again. Contact the BSID helpdesk with your transaction ID instead.
• Carry your original passport, original CDC, and printed application form to the appointment. Miss any one and the trip is wasted.
• You get 3 appointment cancellations max. After that, you pay again. Book a date you can actually show up for.

Key Takeaways

Here are the essential points every Indian seafarer should know:

• DGMA Circular No. 44 of 2026 introduces BSID Version 2.0, effective 1st August 2026, with upgraded software, facial biometrics, and new online workflows.

• Version 2.0 adds renewal, duplicate, and replace card requests online, features that were entirely missing from the old system.

• Existing BSIDs remain valid until expiry. No action needed from current card holders.

• Login now requires OTP verification on your registered mobile number.

• 10 data collection centres across India, including Andaman and Nicobar (new).

• Application tracking through an 8-stage timeline from submission to dispatch.

• Maximum 3 appointment cancellations before re-payment is required.

• Over 4 lakh BSIDs issued since 2019, the system is well-established.

• The application is entirely self-service. Never pay agents or middlemen.

• Data protection: the portal now explicitly follows the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

BSID Version 2.0, introduced via DGMA Circular No. 44 of 2026, fixes the gaps that made the original system frustrating for Indian seafarers. The core improvement is practical: renewal, duplicate, and replacement requests can now be handled online instead of through an offline process that caused delays at ports and sometimes penalties on vessels. The addition of OTP-based authentication, an 8-stage application tracker, and a built-in grievance module are meaningful upgrades. Existing card holders don’t need to do anything until their card comes up for renewal.

If you’re new to the maritime industry and haven’t started your documentation process, begin with your INDoS registration, then secure your CDC through an approved maritime training institute, and apply for BSID immediately after. If you’re an experienced seafarer due for renewal, start that process now through the upgraded portal.

Need help finding an approved MTI near you? Explore the Indo Search directory for verified information on dg-shipping (now DGMA) approved maritime training courses and training institutes across India. For seafarer welfare benefits, see our guide on SWFS welfare schemes.