Date: 2026-02-09Category: DGS CircularState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Implementation of Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) – Five-Year Action Plan (2025–2030) for Promotion of Gender Equality and Inclusion in the Maritime Sector-reg.
**Executive Summary**
This document is a DGS Circular (No. 05 of 2026) dated 09.02.2026, announcing the finalization of the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) – Five-Year Action Plan (2025-2030). The plan aims to promote gender equality and inclusion in the Indian maritime sector. The initiative is to be implemented in phases, commencing in 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) Initiative:**
* Flagship initiative focused on empowering women seafarers and strengthening gender inclusion.
* Addresses policy gaps, infrastructure, capacity building, sensitization, and leadership development.
* **Implementation Partnership:**
* Implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DGS and Maritime Union of India (MUI).
* MUI serves as the sole investor.
* **Phased Implementation (Five-Year Action Plan):**
* **Year 1 (2025–26): Charting the Course:** Establish SMS brand, conduct gender-sensitization workshops, launch Maritime Gender Inclusion Policy, awareness initiatives, gap identification, outreach seminars.
* **Year 2 (2026-27): Anchoring Integration:** Implement the National Maritime Gender Framework across directorates and maritime boards. Issue Zero Tolerance Policy, initiate infrastructure upgrades, integrate gender modules in training programs.
* **Year 3 (2027-28): Expanding Horizons:** Launch national scholarship programs, collaborate with international organizations, conduct awareness campaigns, document best practices, encourage all-women batches in Maritime Training Institutes.
* **Year 4 (2028-29): Leading the Wave:** Conduct leadership programs, organize the National Sagar Mein Samman Conclave, publish profiles of women achievers, and formulate the SMS Toolkit for maritime stakeholders.
* **Year 5 (2029-30): Sailing Forward:** Release the SMS Toolkit and Global Showcase Report, formalize long-term international partnerships, integrate gender equity principles into training regulations, observe Sagar Mein Samman Week, and align with Maritime India Vision 2047.
* **Effective Date:** The circular is effective immediately.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the overall implementation and monitoring of the SMS Action Plan.
* **Action Required:** Implement the phased action plan as outlined, collaborate with MUI, and ensure effective resource allocation.
**Stakeholder: Maritime Union of India (MUI)**
* **Impact:** Financial investor and key partner in implementing the SMS Action Plan.
* **Action Required:** Provide financial support and collaborate with DGS on implementation strategies.
**Stakeholder: Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs)**
* **Impact:** Directly involved in integrating gender modules in training programs.
* **Action Required:** Implement gender-sensitive training modules and encourage all-women batches.
**Stakeholder: Seafarers (especially women)**
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of increased gender equality and inclusion in the maritime sector.
* **Action Required:** Participate in awareness programs and utilize available resources and opportunities.
**Stakeholder: Ports and Shipping Companies**
* **Impact:** Expected to adopt gender-neutral facilities and promote inclusive practices.
* **Action Required:** Participate in pilot programs, upgrade infrastructure, and implement gender-sensitive policies.
Key Entities Referenced
Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) – Five-Year Action Plan (2025–2030): A five-year action plan for promotion of gender equality and inclusion in the maritime sector.
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS): The primary governing body implementing the Sagar Mein Samman initiative.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Union Government ministry responsible for the Directorate General of Shipping.
Maritime Union of India (MUI): Partner organization with the DGS for the implementation of Sagar Mein Samman.
Maritime India Vision 2047: A vision document that Sagar Mein Samman aligns with.
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
DGS Circular No. 05 of 2026
F.No. 23-MISC/38/202SCREW - DGS (C.No. 28971) Date:09.02.2026
Subiect: Imolementation of Sssar Mein Sammon - Five-Year Action Plan (202i2030) for
Promotion of Gender Eoualitv and Inclusion in the Maritime Sector. - res.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) is pleased to inform all concerned stakeholders
that. in furtherance of the Govemment of India's commitment towards fostering a safe, inclusive,
and equitable maritime sector, the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) Five-Year Action Plan for the period
2023-2030 has been finalized.
2. Sagar Mein Samman is a flagship initiative aimed at empowering women seafarers and
strengthening gender inclusion across maritime govemance, education, training, shipboard
operations, and allied institutions. The Action Plan outlines a structured, phased roadmap to address
existing policy gaps, infrastructure requirements, capacity building, sensitization, leadership
development, and long-term institutional sustainability across the maritime ecosystem.
3. The initiative is being implemented pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed
between the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and Maritime Union of India (MUI), under
which MUI serves as the sole investor for Sagar Mein Samman. This formal partnership ensures
dedicated financial commitment, institutional support, and a robust govemance framework, enabling
effective implementation, scalability, and sustained impact nationwide.
4. The Five-Year Action Plan shall be implemented in a phased manner as outlined below:
Year I (202126): Charting the Course:
Establishment of the SMS brand identity and digital presence; conduct of gender-sensitization
workshops; launch of India's first Maritime Gender lnclusion Policy; awareness initiatives among
male seafarers; identification ofpolicy and infrastructure gaps; and organization ofoutreach seminars
at schools and colleges to promote maritime careers for women.
Year 2 (2026-27 ): Anchoring Integration:
Implementation of the National Maritime Gender Framework across Directorates and maritime
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infrastructure upgradation lbr gender-neutral facilities; pilot implementation in select ports and
shipping companiesl and integration of gender modules in DGS-approved lraining programmes.
Year 3 (2027-28): Expanding Horizons:
Launch of national scholarship and sponsorship programmes for women; collaboration with
intemational organizations and progressive maritime nations; nationwide awareness campaigns;
documentation and publication of best practices; and encouragement ol all-women batches in
Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs).
Y ear 4 (2028-29): Leading the Wave:
Conduct of National Maritime Gender Leadership Programmes: organization of the National Sagar
Mein Santman Conclave; publication ol profiles of women achievers; recognition of inclusive
institutior.rs and companies; and formulation of the SMS Toolkit 1'or maritime stakcholders.
Year 5 (2029-30): Sailing Forward:
Release ol the SMS Toolkit and Global Showcase Reportl lbrnralization of long-term international
partnerships: integration of gender equity principles into Maritime Education and Training
Regulations; annual observance of Sugar Mein Samntan llcekt and alignment with Maritime India
Vision 2017.
This circular is issued with the approval olthe Competent Autholity and shall come into lbrce with
immediate etiect.
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Capt Nitin Mukesh 6l'or-'>L
Dy. Nautical Advisor cum Senior DDG (Tech)
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