**Executive Summary**
This Training Circular No. 20 of 2025, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on May 13, 2025, outlines the guidelines for admitting foreign students into Maritime Training Programs in DGS-approved Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs). It aims to strengthen India's position as a global maritime training hub. The circular takes immediate effect and mandates compliance monitoring by the DGS.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Background and Purpose:**
* Builds upon previous DGS circulars regarding MTI guidelines on admissions, training standards, and compliance.
* Aims to meet global demand for maritime professionals and promote India as a leading maritime education and training hub.
* **Admissions Criteria and Process:**
* DGS-approved MTIs can admit foreign candidates who meet minimum eligibility criteria per DGS Orders/Circulars/Guidelines.
* Foreign candidates are exempt from the IMU-CET for pre-sea courses.
* MTIs must ensure foreign students fulfill prescribed minimum eligibility criteria, including medical fitness, academic qualification equivalence, and compliance with Indian visa regulations. Student Visa is required for admission.
* MTIs must promptly comply with visa revocation and restrictions.
* **Impact and Restrictions:**
* Admission of foreign students will not negatively impact employment prospects for Indian seafarers on Indian-flag vessels.
* Foreign students are not eligible for the issuance of the Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), which is reserved for Indian nationals.
* **Implementation:**
* MTIs must take necessary measures to facilitate foreign student admissions in accordance with applicable guidelines and standards.
**Impact Analysis**
**Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs)**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to expand their reach, attract international students, and enhance their global reputation. MTIs could increase revenue and potentially improve the diversity of their student body, thereby contributing to a more global learning environment.
* **Action Required:** Implement processes to verify foreign student eligibility, comply with visa regulations, facilitate admissions, and ensure adherence to DGS standards.
**Foreign Students**
* **Impact:** Access to maritime training programs in India, potentially leading to careers in the global maritime industry.
* **Action Required:** Meet eligibility criteria, obtain a Student Visa, and comply with all MTI and DGS regulations.
**Indian Seafarers**
* **Impact:** The circular assures that their employment prospects on Indian-flag vessels will not be affected.
* **Action Required:** No specific action required; the circular ensures their interests are safeguarded.
**Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for monitoring compliance and ensuring the initiative contributes to India's reputation as a maritime training hub.
* **Action Required:** Monitor MTI compliance, enforce regulations, and assess the impact of foreign student admissions on the maritime industry.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS): The primary regulatory body for maritime affairs in India, responsible for issuing circulars, setting standards, and approving Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs).
Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs): Institutions providing maritime education and training, subject to DGS guidelines and approvals. The circular focuses on allowing MTIs to admit foreign students.
Training Circular No. 20 of 2025: The policy document itself, which outlines guidelines for admitting foreign students into maritime training programs.
Merchant Shipping Act: The primary legislation governing maritime affairs, referenced in relation to the issuance of Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs).
Circular 06 of 2017, Circular 12 of 2020, and Circular 13 of 2023: Previous circulars issued by the DGS regarding maritime training institutes (MTIs) and their guidelines.
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F.No.20- 19O 16/ 1 7/2O23-TRG-DGSIC.No.2528ol Date:13.05.2O25
Training Circular No. 2O of 2O25
Subiect: Admission of Foreig4 StUdents in Maritime Training Programs
Whereas the Directorate General of Shipping (l)GS) has issued prcvious
1
circulars, including Circular O6 of 2Ol7 , Circul:r 12 of 2O2O, and Circular 13
of 2023, which set forth guidelines for maritime training institute s (MTIs)
regarding admissions, training standards, and compliancc requirements;
2 Whereas there is a growing global demand for well-trained maritime
professionals, and India has established itself as a Leader in maritimc
education and training, with MTIs maintaining high quality standards as per
the International Maritime Organization (lMO) conventions and national
regulations.
3 Whereas Circular 13 of 2023 is currently in abeyarce, and the need to
strengthen India's role as a global maritime training hub remains crucial to
maintaining our competitive edge in intcrnational maritime human resource
development.
4. Whereas statistical data indrcates that India supplies approximately l2ok of the.
world's seafarers, ranking among the top seafaring nations, and facilitating
the training of foreign nationals at Indian MTIs will further strengthen India's
position as a leading provider of maritimc manpower, attracting global
recognition and economic benefits.'lhe maritime industry operates on a global
scale, and equipping foreign students with the required knowledge and
training at Indial MTls will contribul.e to the international seafaring
workforce, benefrting the industry and reinforcing India's role as a major
supplier of trained maritime personnel.
5 Whereas the admission of foreign students will align with the Government of
India's vision to promote the country as a hub for intcrnational maritime
human resourcc dcvelopment, strengthening bilateral and multilateral
maritime relations with various nal ions.
6 The Directorate General of Shipping has received, in the last ltve years,
multiple requests from MTIs seeking permission to admit foreign students in
DGS-approved MTIs. These requests wcrc prima-rily from MTIs aiming to
enroll foreign students, mainly from African countries.
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7 Whereas enabling the admission of foreign students who meet the minimum
eligibility criteria for various maritime training progr.uns, including, Bachelor
of Science in Nautical Science (BSc NS), Bachelor oI Engineering in Marine
Engineering (BE ME), Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), Electro-Technical
Officer (ETO), Graduate Marine Engineering (GME), and General Purpose (Gp)
Rating, Certificatc Cou rse in Maritime Catcring (CCMC) will enhance the
global reputation of Indian maritimc training institutes.
8 Whercas M'l'Is shall ensure that all foreign students fulflll the prescribed
minimum eligibility criteria for admission, including medical fitness as per
STCW ald DGS guidelines, equivalence of academic qualifications, ared
compliance with visa regulations as stipulated by thc Government of India.
{Only persons with the purpose of studying in India ald entering the country
on STUDENT VISA shall bc eligible to apply for admission to a particular
course. The candidates should submit a copy of their Passport and Visa to
the Institute at the time of .joining and the M'II concerned should ensure that
the enforcement on account of visa revocation and restrictions, are promptly
complied and the authorittes concerned are informed.!
9 In view of the above, thc l)ircctorate General of Shipping has decided that
DGS-approved MTIs approved lor conducl.:ing Pre Sea courses are allowed to
admit foreign candidates meeting the minimum eligibility criteria as per
issued DGS Orders Circulars :rnd Guidclines. I.oreign candidates arc
/
exempted from IMU CIIT for admission to aly l)GS-approved Pre-Sea courses.
This initiativc has been undertakcn to invite foreign students to DGS-
approved MTIS, considering that they will act as ambassadors in promoting
Indiar Maritime Training and Education.
1O. Whereas, the admission of foreign students will not affect the employment
prospects of Indian seafarers on Indian-flag vessels, ensuring that national
interests are safeguzrrded.
11 The foreign students shall not be eligible for the issuance of the Continuous
Discharge Certificate (CDC), which remains restricted to Indian nationals as
per the Merchant Shipping Act.
12. A11 MTIs are directed to take necessary measures to facilitate the admission of
foreigrr students in accordarnce with the applicable gridelines and ensure
strict adherence to the prescribed staldards and regulations. This circular
shall come into immediat.e effect, and complialce thereof shall be monitored
by the Directoratc (icncral of Shipping
(Deependra Bisen)
Dy. Director General of Shipping (TrainingI
To:
I Al1 Maritirne Training Institutes
2 All Principal Officers, MMDs
Nautical Wing, F)ngineering Wing
3
4 Indian Maritirne Universit5r, I Ieadquarters, Chennai
IT & E-Governance l-lranch.
5
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