![\"Merchant](\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Image1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Merchant Shipping Notice No. 06 of 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMerchant Shipping Notice No. 06 of 2026 (F. No. 23-CDC\/2\/2026-CREW – DGS, C. No. 38805) was published by the DGMA<\/a> on 23 September 2026, bringing into force the Merchant Shipping (Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2026. These Rules were notified via G.S.R. 594(E) dated 8 July 2026, under Section 113 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom the date of commencement, the Merchant Shipping (Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2017 stand completely replaced by the CDC Rules 2026. Merchant Shipping Notice No. 06 of 2026 also sets out the procedure for applying for a CDC in its annexure, and confirms that applications under the 2017 Rules will no longer be accepted from 2 October 2026 onward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a glance, the notice covers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- A revised eligibility framework under Rule 4, read with Annexure-I’s category-specific documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A single flat fee of \u20b93,000 for fresh, renewal, duplicate, replacement or alteration CDC applications<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A 10-year validity period for every CDC issued under the new Rules<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A unified ‘BH’ numbering series across Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai Shipping Master offices<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Digitally printed facsimile signatures replacing manual signatures on CDC booklets and renewal stickers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A firm cutover date of 2 October 2026 for the old 2017-Rules application system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Why Were the CDC Rules Updated in 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe update flows directly from the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, which replaced the earlier Merchant Shipping Act and required corresponding subordinate rules \u2014 including new CDC rules 2026 \u2014 to be reissued under the new Act’s Section 113. The eligibility criteria under Rule 4 are also read together with two supporting DGMA instruments: DGMA Order No. 12 of 2026 (dated 23 May 2026) and DGMA Circular No. 45 of 2026 (dated 31 July 2026), both issued under the same file number as this notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Broadly, the reissue serves a few practical purposes \u2014 for the administration and for seafarers alike:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Legal alignment \u2014 subordinate CDC rules had to catch up with the new parent Act (2025) rather than continue referencing a repealed statute<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Administrative simplification \u2014 a single flat fee replaces what was previously a more fragmented, application-type-wise fee structure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Standardisation across offices \u2014 the new ‘BH’ series removes the inconsistency of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai each maintaining separate numbering patterns<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tighter document security \u2014 facsimile signatures and digital issuance reduce scope for manual-signature forgery on physical booklets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Eligibility Criteria for a Fresh CDC Under the 2026 Rules?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe eligibility criteria for a fresh CDC under the Merchant Shipping Notice No. 06 of 2026 Rules are straightforward. The applicant must be an Indian citizen, hold a valid medical certificate, and be at least 16 years of age. They must also have passed 10th standard, or an equivalent foreign qualification. In addition, the applicant must hold five pre-sea certificates issued by an approved maritime training institute before a fresh CDC can be issued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Personal Survival Techniques (PST)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Elementary First Aid (EFA)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ship Security Officer \/ Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These five certificates form the STCW basic safety training block that Indian maritime training institutes<\/a> (MTIs) issue on satisfactory completion of the relevant modular courses \u2014 DGMA-approved institutes conduct these as a standard pre-sea package, and most candidates complete all five together before their first CDC application. For a course-by-course breakdown of what each certificate covers, see our guide to STCW basic safety<\/a> training courses for Indian seafarers.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor the full category-by-category breakdown \u2014 including documentation for pre-sea trainees, Agniveer candidates, hospitality staff, ex-Navy personnel and CoC holders \u2014 see our detailed guide to the CDC eligibility criteria under the 2026 Rules<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Basic](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Are the Category-Specific Requirements for CDC Applicants?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBeyond the basic eligibility criteria<\/a>, Annexure-I lists seven distinct applicant categories, each requiring its own set of supporting documents. This is the section most applicants get tripped up on, since the paperwork required genuinely differs depending on how you’re entering the industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the date of commencement, the Merchant Shipping (Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2017 stand completely replaced by the CDC Rules 2026. Merchant Shipping Notice No. 06 of 2026 also sets out the procedure for applying for a CDC in its annexure, and confirms that applications under the 2017 Rules will no longer be accepted from 2 October 2026 onward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a glance, the notice covers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A revised eligibility framework under Rule 4, read with Annexure-I’s category-specific documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A single flat fee of \u20b93,000 for fresh, renewal, duplicate, replacement or alteration CDC applications<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A 10-year validity period for every CDC issued under the new Rules<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A unified ‘BH’ numbering series across Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai Shipping Master offices<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Digitally printed facsimile signatures replacing manual signatures on CDC booklets and renewal stickers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A firm cutover date of 2 October 2026 for the old 2017-Rules application system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Why Were the CDC Rules Updated in 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The update flows directly from the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, which replaced the earlier Merchant Shipping Act and required corresponding subordinate rules \u2014 including new CDC rules 2026 \u2014 to be reissued under the new Act’s Section 113. The eligibility criteria under Rule 4 are also read together with two supporting DGMA instruments: DGMA Order No. 12 of 2026 (dated 23 May 2026) and DGMA Circular No. 45 of 2026 (dated 31 July 2026), both issued under the same file number as this notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Broadly, the reissue serves a few practical purposes \u2014 for the administration and for seafarers alike:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Legal alignment \u2014 subordinate CDC rules had to catch up with the new parent Act (2025) rather than continue referencing a repealed statute<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Administrative simplification \u2014 a single flat fee replaces what was previously a more fragmented, application-type-wise fee structure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Standardisation across offices \u2014 the new ‘BH’ series removes the inconsistency of Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai each maintaining separate numbering patterns<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tighter document security \u2014 facsimile signatures and digital issuance reduce scope for manual-signature forgery on physical booklets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Eligibility Criteria for a Fresh CDC Under the 2026 Rules?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The eligibility criteria for a fresh CDC under the Merchant Shipping Notice No. 06 of 2026 Rules are straightforward. The applicant must be an Indian citizen, hold a valid medical certificate, and be at least 16 years of age. They must also have passed 10th standard, or an equivalent foreign qualification. In addition, the applicant must hold five pre-sea certificates issued by an approved maritime training institute before a fresh CDC can be issued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Elementary First Aid (EFA)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ship Security Officer \/ Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These five certificates form the STCW basic safety training block that Indian maritime training institutes<\/a> (MTIs) issue on satisfactory completion of the relevant modular courses \u2014 DGMA-approved institutes conduct these as a standard pre-sea package, and most candidates complete all five together before their first CDC application. For a course-by-course breakdown of what each certificate covers, see our guide to STCW basic safety<\/a> training courses for Indian seafarers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the full category-by-category breakdown \u2014 including documentation for pre-sea trainees, Agniveer candidates, hospitality staff, ex-Navy personnel and CoC holders \u2014 see our detailed guide to the CDC eligibility criteria under the 2026 Rules<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Are the Category-Specific Requirements for CDC Applicants?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the basic eligibility criteria<\/a>, Annexure-I lists seven distinct applicant categories, each requiring its own set of supporting documents. This is the section most applicants get tripped up on, since the paperwork required genuinely differs depending on how you’re entering the industry:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Basic](\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/wide_clean_professional_infographic_photograph_i-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Merchant](\"https:\/\/www.indosearch.in\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/a_bright_realistic_indoor_office_administration_s-1024x576.jpg\")
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