Amendments for applying for Indian CDC

The Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate or C.D.C. as it is popularly referred to has been a scourge for many aspiring seafarers with unscrupulous agents duping the unwary into parting with large sums of money for a document that can be easily applied for. The rules for applying for the CDC used to be quite detailed with requirements for a pre-sea course, STCW courses, various age requirements for different ranks as well varying minimum qualifications right from 8th standard pass to a degree from a professional university.

As of 13th January 2018, applications for C.D.C. under the M.S. (CDC) Rules 2001 have stopped being accepted, though all CDC’s issued under that notice would continue to remain valid until their date of expiry.

As per M.S. Notice 1 of 2018, applications for the Indian CDC will now have a simplified requirement and procedure.

The eligibility for getting the Indian CDC has been simplified to a 10th pass requirement and completion of the 5 basic STCW courses. Of course, one would need to hold an Indian passport and also be deemed medically fit.

The fees for the document are INR 700 and the whole process can be completed online with the document being mailed to the applicant’s home.

Eligibility for fresh CDC applications:

a. Citizen of India

b. Medically fit and possess a valid certificate in the form prescribed under Annexure IV and V of the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2015, to the effect that he is medically fit to be employed onboard ships.
c. Should have completed the following familiarization courses in an approved training institute and hold a certificate to that effect:
1. Personal Survival Techniques (PST)  or  Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB)
2. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)  or  Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)
3. Elementary First Aid (EFA)  or  Medical First Aid (MFA)  or Medical Care (MC)
4. Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR)
5. Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD)  or  Ship Security Officer (SSO)
d. Not less than 18 years of age
e. Must have passed 10th standard

Guidelines for submitting fresh CDC applications:

a. Click on the link “CDC Application” to apply for a fresh CDC.

b. Fill in the application & submit the data.

c. All fields marked by an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

d. Personal details will automatically be populated against the INDOS. If the data needs to be modified, the applicant is required to contact INDOS cell prior to submission of application.

e. If the five mandatory STCW courses are not updated/submitted in the e-Governance system by the respective institutes, the applicant cannot apply for CDC application. He is required to contact the respective MTI (Maritime Training Institute).

f. Once the data is successfully submitted, please proceed to pay the requisite fee using the e-Governance e-payment system. No other mode of payment will be accepted.

g. After successful payment please upload the required documents. The applicant cannot upload documents until payment is done successfully.

h. The applicant may check his status of the application using the link “View Application Status”. Once the application is approved, the CDC will be sent through Speed Post and an automated system mail will be sent mentioning the speed post number.

The Merchant Shipping Notice 01 of 2018 can be read here.

Ease of applying for the documents is a commendable move by the ministry and along with their steps for e-migration for seafarers proceeding for overseas jobs, one can only hope that the exploitation of seafarers by nefarious agents will be quickly brought to a close.