How to Apply CDC?
If you are a soon-to-be Seafarer looking to join your first vessel, you will surely need a CDC or a continuous discharge certificate. Without a CDC, you are not what the industry refers to as ‘Sea-worthy’
In this blog, we will provide you with the complete step-by-step process to apply for a fresh Indian CDC online through the DG Shipping Website. We will also discuss the necessary documents and other essential factors to take into account while applying for a fresh CDC in India.
If you want to learn more about continuous discharge certificates (CDC) then you can check out our free DG Shipping Guidance Series where you will get more information about various other documents required for Seafarers.
1:- What is CDC?
CDC stands for Continuous Discharge Certificate. It is one of the most essential documents that a seafarer possesses as it contains the official record of all the ships that you join and your sea time. If you want to know more about Continuous Discharge Certificate then you can check our comprehensive guide about Continuous Discharge Certificate.
Just like a Passport, you get stamped for every contract and the CDC includes the following necessary details as shown in the following picture:
2:- CDC Eligibility Criteria
1) An applicant shall be a citizen of India
2) An applicant needs to ensure medical fitness and acquire a valid certificate according to Annexure IV and V of the Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Rules, 2016, to demonstrate eligibility for employment on ships.
3) An applicant for issue of a Continuous Discharge Certificate must have completed the following basic familiarisation courses in an approved training institute and hold a certificate to that effect, namely
- Basic STCW Safety Training Course
- Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) or Ship Security Officer (SSO)
OR
- Elementary First Aid (EFA) or Medical First Aid (MFA) or Medical Care (MC)
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST) or Refresher Training for Proficiency in PST or Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boards (PSCRB)
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) or Refresher Training for Proficiency in FPFF or Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)
- Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) or Ship Security Officer (SSO)
4) An applicant shall not be less than 18 years of age.
5) An applicant must have passed the 10th Standard from a recognized board university.
2.1:- Documents Required for CDC.
Here is a List of all of the documents that you will need to upload online while applying for a fresh continuous discharge certificate. This List may come in handy and help you prepare a designated folder beforehand:
- Scan Copy of the Online Application
- Passport size (3.5 cm X 3.5 cm) photograph with clear white background face covering 70%
- Scanned signature of seafarer
- Colored scanned copy of original Passport (Pages where personal details, Photo, address details, and signature of passport authority are displayed )
- Colored scanned copy of original 10th Standard Pass Certificate / Marksheet
- Colored scanned copy of original Medical Fitness Certificate from DGS Approved Doctor ( Appendix IV and V )
- Colored scanned copy of original permanent address proof (Any one of them Passport, Aadhaar Card, Election Commission Photo ID card, and Permanent Driving License)
3:- CDC Application Fees
The Indian CDC application fee is ₹ 700. If the application gets rejected, you need to re-apply and pay ₹ 700 again.
The processing time for the CDC, from approval of the application to arrival of the Continuous Discharge Certificate at your home, varies from MMD to MMD. The Kolkata SMO (Shipping Master’s Office) is known to be the fastest. The Time may vary from 14 days to 2 Months.
Here’s the approximate time it normally requires for a continuous discharge certificate to reach your home.
| Subject | Time Required |
| Time for CDC Application Approval | Approx One Week |
| Time to Dispatch CDC | Another One Week |
| Time to Reach Home | One to Two Weeks |
So, a total of 1 month is normally required to get your continuous discharge certificate, but it is also normal for the CDC to take almost 2 months to reach its destination depending on the MMD it is applied from.
4:- How to Apply CDC?
Step 1: Update Your Indos Profile
- It is particularly important to verify all necessary details such as Name, Email, Place of Birth, etc so that the entire CDC application process is hassle-free.
- You should carefully handle the Indos Profile Photo and Seafarer’s Signature, as they are two of the most important areas.
- Usually, the Maritime Training Institute handles this during your admission, but you should always stay vigilant and verify the accuracy of your Indos Profile details.
: Click Here to Access your Indos Profile (Fresh Applicants)
Step 2: Go to DG Shipping Website:- E-Governance
- Visit the DG Shipping Website and hover on the tab titled ‘ E-Governance’
- As the drop-down menu appears, click on the tab titled ‘e-governance’
Step 3: Log in with your User ID and Password
The User ID is your Indos Number which you can use to log in to your account.
Step 4: Click on ‘CDC Management & CoC as Cook’
Click on the option that says ‘CDC Management & CoC as Cook’.
Step 5: Click on ‘Submit Application’ -> ‘CDC Application’
- Hover over the tab titled ‘Submit Application’.
- Select ‘CDC Application’ from the drop-down menu.
Step 6: Fill up the Details
- Most of the data will already be present from your updated Indos Profile.
- In this step, select the MMD from where you wish to issue the CDC.
You will need to fill in these details in this stage:
- Personal Details – This will already be populated through your updated Indos Profile
- Address – This should be your permanent address and similar to the one mentioned in your Passport
- Next-of-Kin details – You will have to enter your Father or Mother’s details
- STCW Course details – It will already be filled up if you have done your courses from a DG Shipping-approved institute
- Medical Certificate details
- Fee Details
- Documents
Step 7: Make Payment
- You will need to make a payment of Rs. 700 after filling up all the necessary details. You may use Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
- You will need to pay Rs.700 again to re-apply if the authorities reject your application.
Step 8: Submit all Documents
- You must submit all documents in the specified format and type.
- The processing of your application will begin only after you have submitted all the required documents online.
Step 9: Wait for approval and dispatch
- Voila! You have done everything needed and now it is just a matter of waiting.
- Your application generally receives approval within 3-7 working days, and the CDC dispatch follows a couple of days later.
- You will be given a tracking ID which can be used to track the CDC through the India Post website.
If you want to know the application process of Dangerous Cargo Endorsement then CLICK HERE.
5:- Conclusion
The process of getting your continuous discharge certificate is the first important step in a merchant navy professional’s career as it tags you with the title of a ‘seafarer’. Without it, you do not qualify as a seafarer or have the clearance to go on board. By reading this blog, you should now understand the entire process and know how to prepare effectively. You must give the entire process utmost importance to avoid paying Rs. 700 multiple times for CDC approval.
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