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
The Basic Safety Training course (BST) is the mandatory STCW certification every seafarer needs before joining a ship. It bundles four modules, survival techniques, firefighting, first aid, and personal safety, into one certificate you earn at a DGMA-approved maritime training institute. It stays valid for five years. If you are planning a career at sea, … 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 MEO Class-I preparatory course syllabus, revised in Annexure III of DGMA Circular 49 of 2026, keeps its two-month, 240-hour format but updates the content for chief engineer officer candidates. Unlike the other three courses, it leans heavily on maritime law, classification society oversight, leadership and decarbonisation topics rather than hands-on engineering. This is the … Read more
The ETO preparatory course syllabus, set out in Annexure IV of DGMA Circular 49 of 2026, runs one month across 120 contact hours, split precisely across eight subjects from marine electrical engineering to written and oral exam preparation. Unlike the MEO courses, DGMA specifies exact teaching hours for each subject here. That last point is … Read more
The MEO Class-IV preparatory course syllabus, set out in Annexure I of DGMA Circular 49 of 2026, runs for one month across 120 contact hours. It covers ship construction and safety, marine engineering knowledge across general, motor and steam plant, electro-technology, and workshop practice, preparing candidates for the MEO Class-IV Certificate of Competency exam. This … Read more
DGMA Circular No. 51 of 2026 defines the NCV Engine Cadet Scheme as a structured pathway that lets General Purpose (GP) Rating holders qualify for the Marine Engineer Officer Class-IV (NCV) Certificate of Competency. Candidates need a qualifying education, a completed GP rating course, and 6 to 12 months of approved seagoing service as an … Read more
DGMA’s MEO and ETO preparatory course requirements make a one-month offline course compulsory for MEO Class IV and ETO candidates and cut the MEO Class II course from four months to three, effective for candidates appearing on or after 1 January 2027. The MEO Class-I course stays at two months. Approved institutes can start batches … Read more
The ETO to MEO Class IV bridging course syllabus, set out in Annexure I of DGMA Circular No. 50 of 2026, covers 15 subjects across 360 contact hours over three months. It covers 15 subjects, from Marine Engineering Practice to Workshop Skills through Videos, Case Studies and Practical Demonstrations, with assessment through written examinations, tutorials, … Read more
