**Executive Summary**
NT Exam Circular No. 12 of 2022, issued on June 15, 2022, by the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, clarifies the extension of validity for nautical discipline examinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The circular addresses the period from March 24, 2020, to June 30, 2022, and its impact on the five-year validity of nautical discipline competency examinations. The circular aims to ensure that candidates are not unfairly penalized due to examination disruptions caused by the pandemic.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Background and Previous Directives:**
* NT Branch Circular No. 05 of 2005 (dated 06.05.2005) defined the validity of passed STCW Competency Examination functions as five years.
* NT Exam Circular 01 of 2020 (dated 27.07.2020, effective from 24.03.2020) previously extended the validity period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
* **COVID-19 Pandemic Measures:**
* The Directorate conducted additional nautical discipline examination batches with strict COVID-19 safety guidelines.
* **Current Status:**
* All restrictions on seat booking have been removed, and nautical discipline examinations have commenced as per the pre-decided schedule.
* **Clarification on Validity Period:**
* The period from March 24, 2020, to June 30, 2022, SHALL NOT be counted towards the five-year validity of passed nautical discipline competency examinations.
* The status of the five-year validity period of passed function of individual candidates as on 24.03.2020 will remain unchanged till 30.06.2022 and start counting 5 years validity from 01.07.2022.
**Impact Analysis**
**Candidates for Nautical Discipline Examinations**
* **Impact:** Candidates benefit from the extended validity of their examinations, ensuring they are not penalized for delays caused by pandemic-related disruptions.
* **Action Required:** Candidates should understand the updated validity period for their examinations based on the period from March 24, 2020, to June 30, 2022, not being counted.
**Chief Examiner of Master and Mates and the Nautical Advisor to the Government of India (i/c)**
* **Impact:** Approval is required to ensure compliance and coordination with the circular's provisions.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the proper implementation of the extended validity period for nautical discipline examinations.
Key Entities Referenced
COVID-19 pandemic: The circular provides clarifications on the extension of validity of nautical discipline examinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuing authority of the circular and the primary regulator for shipping in India.
NT Exam Circular: Series of circulars related to nautical examinations
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F. No I 25 -l30ll I ll 12022-NT-D GS Date:15.06.2022
NT Exam Circllar No. 12 of 2022
Sub.: Clarification on extension of validitv of nautical discipline examinations durins the
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COVID-l9 pandemic - ree.
1.
The Directorate had issued NT Branch Circular No. 05 of 2005 dated 06.05.2005 which
specified the period of validity of passed function for the nautical discipline STCW Competency
Examination as five years from the date of passing the examination.
2.
Further, the Directorate had issued NT Exam Circular 01 of 2020 dated27.07.2020,
effective from24.03.2020, on extension of period of validity of nautical discipline examination
functions due to the COVID - 19 pandemic to ensure that candidates who had passed some
functions of the Competency Examinations of the Nautical discipline are not put to undue
hardship in completing their examinations within the specified validity period of 5 years due to
the non-conduct of examinationsand seat restrictions during examination to comply with social
distancing norms.
3.
During the pandemic, the Directorate had conducted additional nautical discipline
examination batches for written examinations, with stric! compliance with COVID -19 pandemic
safety guidelines so as to facilitate marcimum number of candidates to appear in nautical
discipline written examinations.
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4.
Presently, The Directorate has removed all restrictions on seat booking and commenced
nautical discipline examinations as per pre-decided schedule.
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Viewing the above facts, it has now been decided that the period from 24.03.2020 to
30.06,2022 SHALL NOT be counted for inclusion in the 5 years period of validity of the passed
function of nautical discipline competency examinations.
To further clarify on the subject, the status of 5 years period of validity of passed function of
individual candidates as on 24.03.2020 will remain unchanged till 30.06.2022 and start counting
5 years validity from 01.07.2022 assuming the period 24.03.2020 to 30.06.2022 remain
uncounted towards 5 years period.
6.
This is issued with approval of the Chief Examiner of Master and Mates and the Nautical
\
Advisoito the Govemment of India (i/c).
(Capt. Manish Kumar)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech.)