Implementation of the Revised Exit Examination Framework for DG Shipping Approved Maritime Training Institute (MTIs)

ffi ffi $IRiI {-fi5R / GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Ttr{, c}-d qR{6T,ft{ qdqlrf {rldq i'llNlSTRY 0F PORTS, SHIPPING At'lD WATERWAYS ft-dfi raHtgn-1';q, giq{ DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI F. l{o.2O- 1 1/ lO/2024-TRG-DGS IComp.No.30393l Dated:13.O5.2O25 Trainin Circular No.22 of 2o25 Sub.- Imolemeutatioa of the Revised Exit Examinatiou Framework for DG Shiopins Aporoved Maritime Trainiag Institutes (MTIsl-ree.

Whereas the 2O1O Maaila Amendments to t!r.e International Conuention <trt Standards of Training, Certification and" Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (hereinafter referred to as "the STCW Convention"), obligate maritime administrations to exercise due diligence in the supervision, regulation, and quality assurance of Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) authorised to deliver maritime education and training; and whereas said amendments further maldate that all seafarers be duly trained and competently assessed for the requisite proficiency stipulated within the Convention;

2.

Whereas the Directorate General of Shipping (hereinafter "the Directorate") has, vide DGS Training Circular No. 17 of 2O2O, promulgated guidelines for the Online Exit Examination applicable to DG Shipping approved modular courses, subsequently supplemented by DGS Circular No. 21 of 2O22, dated 16tt, September 2O22, detatling infrastructural and procedural guidelines for the conduct of such examinations; further the DGS Circular No. O4 of 2O25, dated 5tt' February 2025, provides for the discontinuation of Exit Examinations in respect of Refresher Courses; and in continuation thereof, an Advisory dated sth March 2025 was issued to all MTIs delineating examination protocols and mandated securilr arrangements for the Exit Examinations.

3. Whereas, the Directorate has entered into a Service kvel Agreement (SLA) with M/ s Virtual Catru Edu Limited (hereinafter referred to as "Virtual Guru"), a designated service provider, for the provision of the following:

(0 An independent, robust oversight mechanism to uphold examination integrity; and

(ii) Seamless integration of MTIs into a centralize d Virtual Monitoing System

(vMS).

4.

The SLA encompasses several key deliverables to ensure the effectiveness and integrity of the examination process. These include:

(i) availability of the software application with an assured uptime of over

99.Solt;

(ii) implementation of stringent security protocols and adherence to prescribed data standards, including full compliance with relevant statutory and regulatory frameworks;

(iii) deployment of a rea-l-time proctoring and oversight system to detect and prevent malpractice;

(iv) establishment of a dedicated support and helpdesk mechanism for MTIs; (") provision of a structured grievance redressal process for candidates;

(vi) centralized maintenance and management of the question bank to ensure content lntegrity and consistency. eff {kd, +cr RE{, gTri Fi6 2q* Aq(, 6i$r.fs ts, 6ig{ci,f (fd) g{i- , 9th Floor, BETA Building, l-Think Techno Campus, Kanjur Village Road, Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai-4000422

5.

Whereas, now therefore, all DG Shipping approved MTIs are hereby directed

as follows: i.

Installation of Surveillance Equipment: Each MTI shall ensure the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems equipped with real-time audio- video capabilities in every designated Exit Examination hall. Said systems shall be supported by an unintermpted power supply and stable network connectivity, ii.

Submission of Infrastructure Details: MTIs shall submit to the Directorate: a. The number of examination halls located within their approved premises and the number of computers within each examination hall;

b. The dimensions (in square metres) of each examination hall with photographs; c.

Existing CCTV system credentials for integration with VMS. iii. CgfV Configuration and Costs: Based on the information provided, Virtual Guru shall assess and determine the number of CCTV carneras required per MTI. The cost for each installation shall be INR l9,SOO/- plus applicable GST, to be borne directly by the MTI and paid to Virtual Guru. Each installed CCTV unit shall carry a one-year warranty.

Aanexures & Technical Resourccs 6,

The following documents are annexed hereto for reference and compliance: i. Annex I: List of Modular Courses Mandated for Exit Examination

7. The following user support tools are available on ttre Directorate,s portal $'\.rv.d gst':tanrs. ir.t : i.

User Manual for MTIs ii. User Manual for Students iii.Grievance Redressal Portal for MTIs and Students iv. Feedback Submission Portal

8.

A1l grievances and feedback submitted through the portal shall be monitored and addressed by ollicers duly nominated by the Directorate.

9.

This Circular shall come into force after one month from the date of issue.

10.

This issues with the approval of the Director General of S prng. (Deependra Bisen) Dy. Director General ofShipping (Trg.) To,

1. All Maritime Training Institutes.

2. All Principal Officers, MMDs.

3. Nautical Wing/Engg. Wing.

4. IT & E-Gov. BralchAnnex - I The list of STCW and modular courses for whicb Exit Exams are mandatorv sl.

Course Course ID Course Name No. Duration Basic Training for Oil and Chemical 1 5111 Tanker C Operations 6 Days Advanced Training for Oil Tanker Cargo ,) 5tt2 o erations lO Davs Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker

3. 5113 Operations 1O Days Basic Training for Liquified Gas Tanker 1 5121 Car erations 5 Days Advanced Training for Liquified Gas 5 5122 Tanker Cargo Operations 1O Days Proficiency In Survival Craft and Rescue 6 62t7 Boats 5 Da.ys 7 631 r Advanced Trainingtn Fire Fighting 4 Days

8. 64tl Medical First Aid 4 Davs 9 6427 Medical Care 10 Days

10. 6511 Ship Securiff OIIicer 2 Days Security Trng. for Seafarer with

11. 6621 Designated Security Duties 2 Days t2. 6121 Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting 3 Days

13. 611I Persona-l Survival Techniques 3 Davs

14. 6131 Elementary First Aid 2 Days

15. 6141 Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities 3 Days Basic Training for ships operating in 16 5411 polar waters 5 days Advanced training for service on ships t7. 5412 operating in polar waters 5 davs Vertical Integration Course For Trainer-

18. l0(r I VICT 10 Days

19. 6513 Port Security OIficer 3 Days Refresher Updating Course For

20. 1118 Engineers 3 Days

27. 6512 Company Security Oflicer 3 Days ,) 1 101 Indian Maritime Legislation Course 18 Hours Assessment, Examination ald

23. 1062 Certification of Seafarers 10 Days Crowd Management, Passenger Safety

24. 521 I and Safety Training 3 Days Crisis and Management Human 25 52r2 Behaviour 1 Week High Voltage Safety and Switch Gear at

26. 3223 Management level 5 Days High Voltage Safety and Switch Gear at ')'7 3t23 Operational level 1 Day Marine Boiler & Steam Engineering

28. 31'22 Course - O erational level 6 DaysMarine Boiler & Steam Engineering. )a ?D ro Course - ent level 9 Days Basic Training for Ships using Fuels 30 531r covered within IGF code 4Da s Advanced Training. for Ships usrng

31. 5312 Fuels covered within IGF code 5 Days

32. 622t Fast Rescue Boats 3 Days Bridging Course for Existing Electrical cJ. 3611 Officers to ETO 16 Days

34. 1063 Train the Simulator Trainer Assessor 5 Days X *********