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 each SWFS Welfare Schemes in plain language: what it covers, how much you get, who qualifies, and how to claim it.
One rule applies across all schemes: the new, higher amount only applies if the event happened on or after that scheme’s effective date. If the event happened earlier, the older amount applies instead. Pending claims are also processed under the revised rules, subject to the effective-date conditions of the relevant scheme. Each scheme below states its own effective date clearly.
Quick terms: CDC = Continuous Discharge Certificate (your seafarer ID/service book). RPSL = Recruitment and Placement Service License (a licensed manpower agency). Off-article period = the time after you sign off a ship and before your next contract starts.
Why This Matters
SWFS is an autonomous body set up by the Government of India — administratively controlled by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — that provides financial support to Indian seafarers and their families. It is registered as a Society and a Charitable Trust, and does not itself belong to the Government. For the fuller background on how SWFS works alongside the Seamen’s Provident Fund Organisation (SPFO), see our SWFS and SPFO guide. These benefits are provided at SWFS’s discretion, and doubtful, disputed or exceptional cases may be reviewed individually by its Committee of Management.
Compensation Under Your Employment Agreement (SEA)
SWFS benefits are separate from — and in addition to — the death and disability compensation you’re entitled to under your own Seafarers’ Employment Agreement (SEA). Affected seafarers, or their legal heirs in the event of death, can claim this compensation as per the SEA’s terms. Such claims should be routed through the registered RPSL agency that recruited the seafarer.
- It’s the RPSL agency’s responsibility to coordinate with the shipowner and the vessel’s Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Club to pay compensation as specified in the SEA, or in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) if the CBA is incorporated by reference into the SEA.
- Before signing your SEA, check that it clearly states the death and disability compensation amount — or clearly refers to the applicable CBA — just as your salary and other benefits are specified.
- If the amount is missing or unclear, ask your RPSL agency to correct it before you join the vessel. Without this, the P&I Club or shipowner may pay a lower amount based on whatever limited provisions exist — many families have faced hardship in the past for exactly this reason.
- If an RPSL agency fails to meet its compensation obligations or otherwise breaks the rules, DGMA can suspend or cancel its licence and invoke its bank guarantee.
- Important: money DGMA recovers by invoking an RPSL agency’s bank guarantee is a regulatory penalty — it is not automatically paid to the seafarer or their family as compensation.
The 12 SWFS Welfare Schemes
1. Survivor Benefit Scheme (SBS)
Paid to a nominee if an Indian seafarer dies during the off-article period (after sign-off, before the next contract).
- Amount: ₹6,00,000 for deaths on or after 27.01.2026 (was ₹4,00,000 before that)
- Who qualifies: Indian CDC holder, last engaged through an Indian shipowner or registered RPSL
- Off-article window: 36 months from sign-off (extended from 24 months)
- Claim deadline: within 3 years of the date of death
- Documents: attested death certificate, original CDC, nominee’s bank details
2. Invalidity Benefit Scheme (IBS)
For seafarers who become permanently unfit for sea service due to an accidental injury (such as loss of limbs).
- Amount: ₹6,00,000 for disabilities on or after 29.04.2024
- Off-article claim window: 36 months (extended from 24 months, effective 27.01.2026)
- Documents: DGS-approved doctor’s certificate confirming ‘Permanently Unfit’, hospital discharge papers
- Claim deadline: within 3 years of the disability certificate date
3. Family Benefit Welfare Scheme (FBWS)
Rewards a seafarer’s children for completing pre-sea training or a postgraduate degree.
| Milestone | Amount (Son) | Amount (Daughter) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-sea training + Indian CDC obtained | ₹1,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Postgraduate degree (2-year, non-maritime) | ₹50,000 | ₹50,000 |
- Sons and daughters now get equal amounts (this used to differ)
- Seafarer-parent needs at least 6 months of sea service in the last 5 years
- Limited to a maximum of 2 children per seafarer
- Claim deadline: within 12 months of course completion
4. Maternity Benefit Scheme (MBS)
Financial support for Indian women seafarers around childbirth.
- Amount: ₹50,000 per delivery (was ₹25,000), for up to 2 deliveries
- Who qualifies: Indian CDC holder, last engaged through an Indian shipowner or registered RPSL before the delivery date
- Delivery must be within 60 months of the last sign-off
- Claim deadline: within 2 years of delivery
- Documents: child’s birth certificate, CDC copy showing last sign-off
5. Old Age Benefit Scheme (OABS)
A one-time payment when a retired seafarer’s CDC is cancelled.
| Age | Amount |
|---|---|
| 65 years (since 2019) | ₹50,000 |
| 75 years (new, from 01.01.2026) | ₹1,00,000 |
- Sea-service condition: at least 6 months cumulative service after age 50
- Your Indian CDC must be formally cancelled before you apply
- Claim deadline: within 12 months of reaching the qualifying age
6. Death on Board Benefit Scheme (DBBS)
Different from the Survivor Benefit Scheme: this covers deaths (or presumed deaths) that happen while actively on board, not after sign-off.
- Amount: ₹6,00,000 for deaths on or after 23.03.2026 (was ₹2,00,000 before)
- Covers presumed-death cases too, confirmed by the Shipping Master or DGMA‘s Crew Branch
- Claim deadline: within 3 months of the death, or of being reported missing
7. Ex-Gratia Support Benefit Scheme (ESBS)
Monthly support for the family of a seafarer stranded or abandoned abroad without wages.
- Amount: ₹20,000/month (was ₹10,000), for up to 12 months
- Payments start 2 months after the stranding is confirmed
- Claim deadline: within 2 months of the stranding/abandonment
8. Award to Meritorious Child of Seafarers (ACSS)
A cash award for a seafarer’s child who tops their university degree or postgraduate exam.
- Amount: ₹25,000 (unchanged)
- Who qualifies: seafarer-parent must hold an Indian CDC, with at least 1 year of service and 6 months sailed in the past 5 years
- Child must secure First Rank at a UGC-recognised university (non-maritime course)
- Claim deadline: within 3 months of the result being declared
9. Medical & Term Insurance Premium Assistance (New)
SWFS now part-reimburses insurance premiums for the seafarer and dependants.
| Insurance Type | Maximum Reimbursement |
|---|---|
| Medical Insurance | ₹3,000 |
| Critical Illness Cover | ₹1,000 |
| Term Insurance | ₹1,000 |
| Total per seafarer | ₹5,000 |
- Eligibility: The applicant must hold a valid Indian CDC and meet the applicable sea-service requirement. The policy must be from an IRDA-approved insurance company.
- Covers up to 50% of the premium, for IRDA-approved policies from 01.01.2026 onward
- Claim deadline: Submit the application within 180 days of the insurance policy’s issue date.
10. Critical/Terminal Illness Support (New)
A one-time payment for seafarers diagnosed with a serious illness.
- Amount: ₹2,00,000 one-time (seafarer only, not family members)
- Sea-service requirement: Active seafarers need at least 6 months of cumulative sea service during the preceding 5 years. For seafarers above 50 or retired seafarers, the applicable requirement is at least 6 months of sea service after attaining age 50.
- Requires a Government hospital medical certificate, not older than 6 months
- Claim deadline: within 6 months of the certificate date; payable only once in a lifetime
11. Indian CoC Recognition & Career Progression Scheme (New)
Rewards a rating who upgrades to become an officer.
- Amount: ₹2,00,000 one-time, for your first Indian Certificate of Competency (CoC)
- Who qualifies: a rating who has passed the Indian CoC exam under STCW Regulation II/1, III/1, or III/6 (or NCV) on or after 01.01.2026
- You must have already held a Certificate of Proficiency (COP) under Regulation II/4, II/5, III/4, III/5, or III/7 before appearing for the CoC exam
- Must be a DGMA-issued CoC; claim deadline is within 12 months of getting the CoC
12. Warlike/High-Risk Area Compensation (Proposed)
Covers death or disability in designated high-risk zones: the Persian/Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, and Southern Red Sea. Important: the circular describes this using “it is proposed” language, unlike the other 11 schemes which are confirmed. Until it’s formally confirmed, claims from these zones fall under the standard ₹6,00,000 Death on Board or Invalidity Benefit schemes.
- Proposed amount: ₹10,00,000 for death or permanent disability in a designated high-risk zone
Documents You’ll Likely Need
On top of your Indian CDC (required for every scheme), here’s what each claim typically needs:
| Scheme | Key Documents |
|---|---|
| Survivor Benefit / Death on Board / Warlike Area (death) | Death certificate, nominee’s ID, bank passbook copy |
| Invalidity Benefit / Warlike Area (disability) | Medical certificate, hospital discharge card |
| Family Benefit Welfare Scheme | Course completion certificate, mark sheet |
| Maternity Benefit | Child’s birth certificate, CDC copy showing last sign-off |
| Old Age Benefit | CDC cancellation order, sea-service record |
| Ex-Gratia (Stranded/Abandoned) | Employment contract, next-of-kin ID |
| Meritorious Child Award | University rank certificate, birth certificate |
| Insurance Premium Assistance | Policy copy, premium payment receipt |
| Critical Illness Support | Government hospital medical certificate |
| CoC Recognition Scheme | CoC copy, sea-service testimonials, bank/ID proof |
If you use a manpower agency, you can check its registration through our directory of registered RPSL companies.
How to Apply
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Check eligibility | Match your situation against the scheme’s conditions above |
| 2. Gather documents | CDC copy, medical/death certificate, bank details — start early, as some take time to obtain |
| 3. Submit the correct form | Each scheme has its own form; submit it before the claim deadline |
| 4. Get paid | Once approved, the amount is credited directly to your savings bank account (NRE/NRO accounts are not accepted) |
SWFS office: Nau Bhavan Building, Ground Floor, R.K. Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai – 400001. Phone: 8097553700 (Gratuity) / 8097552900 (Welfare). Email: swfs.dgs@govcontractor.nic.in.
Old vs New: Amounts at a Glance
| Scheme | Old Amount | New Amount | Effective From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor Benefit | ₹4,00,000 | ₹6,00,000 | 27.01.2026 |
| Invalidity Benefit | ₹2,00,000 | ₹6,00,000 | 29.04.2024 |
| Family Benefit (Pre-sea) | ₹50,000 | ₹1,00,000 | 27.01.2026 |
| Family Benefit (PG Degree) | ₹25,000 | ₹50,000 | 27.01.2026 |
| Maternity Benefit | ₹25,000 | ₹50,000 | 27.01.2026 |
| Old Age Benefit (75 yrs) | Not applicable | ₹1,00,000 | 01.01.2026 |
| Death on Board Benefit | ₹2,00,000 | ₹6,00,000 | 23.03.2026 |
| Ex-Gratia (Stranded/Abandoned) | ₹10,000/month | ₹20,000/month | 01.01.2026 |
| Warlike/High-Risk Area | Not applicable | ₹10,00,000 (proposed) | Pending confirmation |
Common Mistakes & Quick Tips
- Don’t apply with an expired CDC — renew it first
- Don’t miss the claim deadline — some, like Ex-Gratia Support, are as short as 2 months
- Use a normal savings account, not NRE/NRO — SWFS won’t credit those
- Update your nominee details with your shipping company or RPSL agency at every sign-on
- Know the difference: Survivor Benefit is for off-article deaths; Death on Board is for deaths while serving
- Keep a copy of your CDC, sea-service record, and bank details somewhere your family can find quickly, in case of emergency
Key Takeaways
- DGMA Circular 39 raises the payout for almost every SWFS scheme, some nearly tripled
- Survivor Benefit and Death on Board Benefit both now pay ₹6,00,000
- A ₹10,00,000 payout for warlike/high-risk area incidents has been proposed, but isn’t confirmed yet
- Off-article claim windows for death/disability are now 36 months
- Two brand-new schemes: CoC upgrade reward (₹2,00,000) and insurance premium reimbursement (up to ₹5,000)
- These are discretionary welfare benefits, not a legal entitlement — but SWFS reviews unusual cases individually
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is DGMA Circular 39?
It’s the official notification that brings together and increases the amounts for all 12 SWFS welfare schemes for Indian seafarers.
2. Who runs the SWFS welfare schemes?
The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS), an autonomous body set up by the Government of India and administratively controlled by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
3. How much is the Survivor Benefit Scheme now?
₹6,00,000 for deaths on or after 27.01.2026, up from ₹4,00,000 before that.
4. What’s the difference between Survivor Benefit and Death on Board Benefit?
Survivor Benefit covers deaths after sign-off (off-article period). Death on Board covers deaths while actively serving on a ship.
5. Is the warlike/high-risk area compensation confirmed?
Not yet. The circular describes the ₹10,00,000 amount as a proposal. Until confirmed, the standard ₹6,00,000 Death on Board or Invalidity rate applies.
6. How much is the new maternity benefit?
₹50,000 per delivery, for up to two deliveries, if the delivery is on or after 27.01.2026.
7. Can I claim Old Age Benefit at 75?
Yes — ₹1,00,000, if you reach 75 on or after 01.01.2026 and meet the sea-service condition.
8. What documents do I need for an SWFS claim?
Your Indian CDC, plus scheme-specific documents like a death/medical certificate and bank details — see the table above.
9. Is there a reward for becoming an officer?
Yes — a one-time ₹2,00,000 for obtaining your first Indian CoC, under the new Career Progression Scheme.
10. What’s the deadline for Ex-Gratia Support (stranded seafarers)?
Within 2 months of the stranding or abandonment — one of the shortest deadlines across all schemes.
11. Does SWFS reimburse insurance premiums?
Yes — up to 50% of the premium, capped at ₹5,000 per seafarer, for IRDA-approved policies.
Conclusion
DGMA Circular 39 raises the amount for nearly every SWFS welfare scheme and adds two new ones. If you or a family member sails under the Indian flag, keep your CDC, sea-service records, and nominee details up to date — that way, you can claim quickly if you ever need to.
For more on India’s seafarer welfare framework, see our guides on top seafarer welfare schemes in India and Merchant Shipping Act welfare provisions.
Need help with your eligibility or documentation? Contact our team — we’re happy to help.