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Samudra Gyan — Eligibility Hero

Are you eligible to join?

Check the age, education, medical and document requirements for our DG Shipping–approved courses, whether you are a fresher or an experienced seafarer.

Counselling
Counselling
Safety training
Safety training
Your future
Your future

Quick eligibility check

Tick what applies to you. This is a quick guide, not a final decision.

Tick the boxes aboveWe'll tell you if you meet the basic requirements.
Samudra Gyan — General Eligibility Requirements
General Eligibility Requirements

The basics for every course

These requirements apply to all our courses. Some courses have extra requirements, shown in the next section.

Educational qualification10th pass

Educational qualification

Class 10 pass from a recognised board.

Age17+ years

Age

Minimum age 17. No upper age limit is specified in the DG Shipping course guidelines.

Medical fitnessFit for sea

Medical fitness

Medical fitness certificate from a DG Shipping–approved doctor.

Nationality & IDValid ID

Nationality & ID

Indian nationals with Aadhaar / Passport. Foreign nationals, please contact us.

INDOS numberFor STCW courses

INDOS number

Required for STCW courses. First-timers: we guide you through the application.

Previous trainingCourse-specific

Previous training

Some courses need earlier certificates, e.g. BST for tanker courses.

CDC eligibility (DGS Order No. 12 of 2026): from 01 August 2026, completing only the 5 Basic STCW courses no longer qualifies you for an Indian CDC. Eligible routes include DG Shipping–approved pre-sea training, hospitality/OCCP candidates, Agniveers, ex-Indian Navy personnel, certified cooks and CoC holders.

Samudra Gyan — Course-wise Eligibility
Course-wise Eligibility

Requirements by course

Education, age, previous training, sea service and medical requirements for each course.

Basic Safety Training trainingBST

Basic Safety Training

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingNone (first course)
Sea serviceNot required
MedicalDGS-approved medical certificate
Ask about BST
Elementary First Aid trainingEFA

Elementary First Aid

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingNone
Sea serviceNot required
MedicalMedical fitness certificate
Ask about EFA
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities trainingPSSR

Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingNone
Sea serviceNot required
MedicalMedical fitness certificate
Ask about PSSR
Security Training (Designated Security Duties) trainingSTSDSD

Security Training (Designated Security Duties)

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingNone
Sea serviceNot required
MedicalMedical fitness certificate
Ask about STSDSD
Oil & Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations trainingOTCTO

Oil & Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingBST (incl. FPFF) completed
Sea serviceAs per DGS norms – ask us
MedicalMedical fitness certificate
Ask about OTCTO
Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations trainingLGTFC

Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingBST (incl. FPFF) completed
Sea serviceAs per DGS norms – ask us
MedicalMedical fitness certificate
Ask about LGTFC
Crowd Management, Passenger Safety & Safety Training trainingPSF

Crowd Management, Passenger Safety & Safety Training

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingBST recommended
Sea serviceNot required
MedicalMedical fitness certificate
Ask about PSF
Refresher – Personal Survival Techniques trainingRef. PST

Refresher – Personal Survival Techniques

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingOriginal PST certificate
Sea serviceAs per DGS revalidation norms
MedicalValid medical certificate
Ask about Ref. PST
Refresher – Fire Prevention & Firefighting trainingRef. FPFF

Refresher – Fire Prevention & Firefighting

Education10th pass
Age17+
Previous trainingOriginal FPFF certificate
Sea serviceAs per DGS revalidation norms
MedicalValid medical certificate
Ask about Ref. FPFF

Requirements follow current DG Shipping guidelines and can change. Our admission team will confirm your exact eligibility before you book.

Samudra Gyan — Fresher / New Candidate Eligibility
Fresher / New Candidate

New to the Merchant Navy?

If this is your first maritime course, here is what you need and how to start.

Age 17+Class 10 passMedically fitNo previous training needed
  1. 01Check your CDC route

    BST alone no longer leads to a CDC (DGS Order 12 of 2026). Check your category first.

  2. 02Get your medical done

    Medical fitness certificate from a DG Shipping–approved doctor.

  3. 03Apply for INDOS

    Your unique seafarer number from DG Shipping. We guide you.

  4. 04Start with BST

    Basic Safety Training is the first STCW course for every seafarer.

  5. 05Book your seat

    Pay only after our counselling team confirms your seat.

Samudra Gyan — Seafarer / Experienced Candidate Eligibility
Seafarer / Experienced Candidate

Already a seafarer?

For refresher, tanker, passenger-ship and security courses that build on your previous training and experience.

Valid INDOSPrevious STCW certificatesCDC / sea service recordsValid medical
  1. 01Refresher courses (Ref. PST, Ref. FPFF)

    Bring your original certificate. Revalidation follows DG Shipping norms.

  2. 02Tanker courses (OTCTO, LGTFC)

    BST including Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting must be completed first.

  3. 03Passenger ship course (PSF)

    For crew joining passenger, ferry or cruise ships. BST is recommended.

  4. 04Security course (STSDSD)

    For seafarers assigned designated security duties on board.

  5. 05Get confirmation

    Share your certificates. We confirm eligibility before you book.

Samudra Gyan — Medical & Fitness Requirements
Medical & Fitness Requirements

Be fit for life at sea

Medical standards for seafarers are set by DG Shipping. Here is what you need before joining.

Medical examination

Medical examination

A fitness certificate from a DG Shipping–approved medical examiner is required.

Eyesight & colour vision

Eyesight & colour vision

Standards apply as per DG Shipping norms, important for lookout and signals.

Physical fitness

Physical fitness

You must be fit for drills like fire-fighting, survival and immersion suits.

Valid certificate

Valid certificate

Bring the original certificate. It must be valid on your course date.

Before you join

  • Get your medical done before booking your batch.
  • Carry your spectacles if you use them.
  • Tell the trainer about any injury or condition before drills.
  • Ask us for DG Shipping–approved doctors near you.
Ask about medical
Samudra Gyan — Required Documents
Required Documents

Your document checklist

Bring originals and self-attested photocopies. Tick each one as you collect it.

Document and identity verification
0 / 8 ready

Names must match on all documents. Our team will share the exact list for your course when you enquire.

Samudra Gyan — Eligibility FAQs
Eligibility FAQs

Common questions

Age, qualification, INDOS, medical, documents and course eligibility.

Seafarers in shipboard training
We answer every question before you join

Still not sure?

Our team will check your eligibility for free.

What is the minimum age to join a course?

The minimum age is 17 years. DG Shipping course guidelines do not specify an upper age limit.

What educational qualification do I need?

You need to be Class 10 pass from a recognised board. Some career routes may need higher qualifications.

Do I need an INDOS number before joining?

Yes, an INDOS number is required for STCW courses. If you do not have one yet, our team will guide you through the application.

Where do I get the medical certificate?

From a DG Shipping–approved medical examiner. Eyesight and colour-vision standards apply. Ask us for approved doctors near you.

Which documents should I bring?

10th certificate and mark sheet, Aadhaar/photo ID, passport (if available), passport-size photos, INDOS number, medical certificate, and previous certificates/CDC where applicable.

Can I join a tanker course directly?

No. OTCTO and LGTFC need Basic Safety Training (including Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting) to be completed first.

Who can join refresher courses?

Seafarers who already hold PST or FPFF certificates and need to revalidate them. Bring your original certificate and sea service records.

Will BST alone give me a CDC?

No. Under DGS Order No. 12 of 2026, from 01 August 2026 a CDC is not issued solely on the basis of the 5 Basic STCW courses. You must qualify through an approved category.

Still not sure?

Our team will check your eligibility for free.

Samudra Gyan — Check Your Eligibility / Enquiry CTA
Check Your Eligibility

Not sure if you are eligible?

Share your age, qualification and previous training. Our counselling team will check your eligibility, including the new CDC rules, and suggest the right course.

  • Free eligibility check
  • Help with INDOS, medical and documents
  • Pay only after your seat is confirmed
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