Becoming a seafarer in India as a career change

Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.

Age limits

The officer route through the Diploma in Nautical Science is open only up to age 21.
Source: DGMA (Nautical Wing): Career in Merchant Navy as a Nautical Officer
GP Rating courses accept candidates up to age 28.
Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC
Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) and diploma-holder (DME) pre-sea courses accept candidates up to age 28.
Source: DG Shipping: Extension of maximum age limit for admission in GME / DME courses
Age limits are counted on the date the pre-sea course starts.
Source: DGS Training Circular No. 12 of 2020: Minimum eligibility criteria for admissions in pre-sea maritime courses
The maximum age is relaxed by 5 years for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates.
Source: DGS Training Circular No. 12 of 2020: Minimum eligibility criteria for admissions in pre-sea maritime courses
The maximum age is relaxed by 3 years for non-creamy-layer OBC candidates.
Source: DGS Training Circular No. 12 of 2020: Minimum eligibility criteria for admissions in pre-sea maritime courses
Women candidates get an additional 2 years of age relaxation in each category.
Source: DGS Training Circular No. 12 of 2020: Minimum eligibility criteria for admissions in pre-sea maritime courses

Entry through your shore profession

Your profession on shore	Role at sea	Course	Where and on what terms
Mechanical engineer (BE/B.Tech)	Junior engineer officer	Graduate Marine Engineering (GME)	Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) is a 1-year DG-approved pre-sea course. Source: DGMA Training Branch: List of approved courses GME accepts candidates up to age 28. Source: DG Shipping: Extension of maximum age limit for admission in GME / DME courses
Diploma holder in mechanical, marine or electrical engineering	Junior engineer officer	Pre-sea training for diploma holders (DME)	Pre-sea training for diploma holders (DME) is a 2-year DG-approved course. Source: DGMA Training Branch: List of approved courses A diploma in Mechanical, Naval Architecture, Electrical or Electrical and Electronics Engineering, with the minimum final-year marks, is accepted. Source: DGS Training Circular No. 12 of 2020: Minimum eligibility criteria for admissions in pre-sea maritime courses
Electrical or electronics engineer	Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)	Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) pre-sea course	The DG-approved Electro Technical Officers pre-sea course lasts 85 days. Source: DGMA Training Branch: List of approved courses Under STCW III/6, an ETO candidate needs at least 12 months of combined workshop skills training and seagoing service, of which at least 6 months at sea. Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention
Welder, fitter, mechanic, electrician or plumber (ITI)	General Purpose Rating	GP Rating	25% of seats in every GP Rating course are reserved for candidates with additional technical qualifications. Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC Eligible qualifications include welding courses and fitter, mechanic, electrical, plumbing or computer trade certificates from government-approved institutions such as ITIs. Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC
Hotel management graduate	Catering crew or steward	Orientation Course for Catering Personnel (OCCP)	Holders of a hotel management degree, diploma or certificate who complete the OCCP and the basic STCW courses can get an Indian CDC. Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC
Cook	Ship's cook	Ship's Cook course	Holders of a cook certificate of competency recognised by the Government of India who complete the basic STCW courses can get an Indian CDC. Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC Under the MLC 2006, no seafarer under 18 may work as a ship's cook. Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)
Indian Navy sailor or Agniveer	Rating or officer (by qualification)	Basic STCW courses	Agniveers with a discharge certificate and the five basic STCW courses can get an Indian CDC. Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC Retired Indian Navy officers and sailors with a valid discharge certificate and the five basic STCW courses can get an Indian CDC. Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC

Minimum set of documents

Medical certificate from a DG-approved doctor.
Source: DGMA Training Branch: FAQs
A DG-approved pre-sea course (or another permitted category) plus the five basic STCW courses.
Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC
An INDoS number and a CDC.
Source: DGMA Training Branch: FAQs
Your first contract only through a licensed recruitment and placement service (RPSL) or an Indian shipowner.
Source: Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2026

Costs and timing: official fees only

The INDoS fee is Rs. 1416 (Rs. 1200 plus 18% GST) for Indian nationals.
Source: DGMA Training Branch: FAQs
The government fee for a fresh CDC is INR 3000.
Source: Merchant Shipping Notice No. 06 of 2026: Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2026
The exit examination fee for the GP Rating course is Rs 2500 per candidate (base rate; GST is charged separately).
Source: DGMA Order No. 24 of 2026: Revision of rates for GP Ratings and CCMC courses exit examinations
The GP Rating pre-sea course lasts 6 months.
Source: DGMA Training Branch: List of approved courses
CDC fees are non-refundable if you turn out to be ineligible, so check eligibility before paying for basic courses.
Source: DGMA Circular No. 45 of 2026: Awareness regarding revised eligibility criteria for Indian CDC

How to avoid scams

Do not pay money for job placement, do not hand your passport or CDC to unknown people, and do not accept job offers via WhatsApp or social media.
Source: DGS Circular 55 of 2025: Seafarers advisory on avoiding fraud, cheating and unauthorized recruitment
Check on the Directorate's website whether a recruitment agency (RPSL) is valid, invalid or temporarily blocked before any contact.
Source: DGS Circular 55 of 2025: Seafarers advisory on avoiding fraud, cheating and unauthorized recruitment
Sea service obtained through unregistered agents is invalid and cannot be recorded in the Directorate's system.
Source: DGS Circular 55 of 2025: Seafarers advisory on avoiding fraud, cheating and unauthorized recruitment
A licensed recruitment agency must not charge seafarers any fee for recruitment or employment.
Source: Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2026
Under the MLC 2006, recruitment fees must not be charged to seafarers, other than the cost of a medical certificate, seafarer's book and passport.
Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)
Do not trust promises that the five basic STCW courses alone will give you a CDC or a job at sea.
Source: DGMA Circular No. 45 of 2026: Awareness regarding revised eligibility criteria for Indian CDC
The Directorate warns that agents lure young people with false promises, keep them for months without real training and then enrol them only in short basic courses.
Source: DGS Order 12 of 2026: Revision of eligibility criteria for issue of CDC
Check that an institute is approved by the Directorate before enrolling.
Source: DGMA Circular No. 45 of 2026: Awareness regarding revised eligibility criteria for Indian CDC