CDC Full Form in Merchant Navy: Eligibility, Documents, Fee and Step-by-Step Application Guide (2026)
CDC = Continuous Discharge Certificate | Issued by: DG Shipping (Mercantile Marine Department / Shipping Master Office) | Application fee: ₹700 (as widely reported; verify on the portal) | Validity: 10 years | Needed before: your first ship joining.
What Is a CDC in the Merchant Navy?
A CDC does two jobs. First, it is your identity document as a seafarer, recognised at Indian and foreign ports. Second, it is your service record: every ship you serve on, your rank, your sign-on and sign-off dates and the nature of your discharge are entered in it. This sea-service record is what you later use to apply for your Certificate of Competency (CoC) exams, and shipping companies read it to judge your experience.
CDC vs Passport vs INDoS: Do Not Confuse Them
| Document | What it is | Who issues it | Why you need it |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDC | Seafarer identity + sea-service record | DG Shipping (MMD / Shipping Master Office) | Mandatory to serve on a ship |
| INDoS number | Unique seafarer ID in the DG Shipping database | DG Shipping (usually through your institute) | Needed to log in and apply for CDC and courses |
| Passport | General international travel document | Ministry of External Affairs | Needed for foreign joining, visas and travel |
Who Needs a CDC?
Every person who works on a merchant ship needs a CDC: deck cadets, engine cadets, GP Ratings, trainee Electro Technical Officers, cooks, stewards and later all officers. Many students begin the process during pre-sea training, because sponsoring companies usually expect a CDC, or a CDC application in progress, before final joining.
CDC Eligibility Criteria
| Requirement | Details (as commonly published) |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Education | Class 10 passed from a recognised board |
| Medical | Valid seafarer medical fitness certificate from a DG Shipping-approved doctor |
| Safety training | Basic STCW safety courses from a DG Shipping-approved institute: Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, and Security Awareness. Some higher courses can satisfy these. |
| INDoS | A valid INDoS number (login ID for the portal) |
| Upper age limits | Published sources mention ceilings that vary by category (for example, trainees up to about 25). Check the current DG Shipping rules for your category. |
Medical Standards Vary by Department
Vision standards differ by department. Deck is the strictest, generally requiring good distant vision in both eyes and normal colour vision, while the catering department is more lenient. Adults between 18 and 65 are generally required to renew the medical certificate every two years.
Because a medical failure can end a career before it starts, use a medical eligibility check before paying for any course (MyMerchantNavy's medical eligibility checker can help verify your standards).
Documents Required for CDC (Checklist)
| # | Document | Format tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Signed copy of the online application | Clear scan of the printed, signed form |
| 2 | Passport-size photograph | White background, face covering most of the frame |
| 3 | Scanned signature | Plain white paper, dark ink |
| 4 | Passport (personal details, photo, address, signature pages) | Colour scan |
| 5 | Class 10 certificate or marksheet | Colour scan; name must match other documents |
| 6 | Seafarer medical fitness certificate | From a DG Shipping-approved doctor; must be valid |
| 7 | Basic STCW course certificates | Issued by an approved institute |
| 8 | Proof of permanent address | Passport, Aadhaar, voter ID or permanent driving licence |
CDC Fee in India
The CDC application fee is widely reported as ₹700, payable online by net banking, debit card or credit card. Published guidance says the same fee applies to new, renewal, replacement and duplicate CDCs and is non-refundable, so a rejected application means paying again. The INDoS number itself has no official fee; any small facilitation charge from a training institute is not a government fee. Fees can change, so confirm on the portal before paying.
| Service | Reported Fee |
|---|---|
| New CDC | ₹700 |
| Renewal | ₹700 |
| Replacement (pages full) | ₹700 |
| Duplicate (lost / damaged) | ₹700 |
How to Apply for CDC: Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Get your INDoS number. Register on the DG Shipping e-Governance portal. Your pre-sea institute normally helps with this.
- Step 2: Complete your medical. Visit a DG Shipping-approved doctor and obtain the fitness certificate.
- Step 3: Complete basic safety courses. Do the STCW basic courses at an approved institute.
- Step 4: Log in and open the CDC application. Use your INDoS number as user ID, choose the CDC management option, then Submit Application.
- Step 5: Fill in the form. Check the details pre-filled from your INDoS profile. Add permanent address, next-of-kin, medical and course details, and choose the MMD or Shipping Master Office for issue.
- Step 6: Pay the fee and upload documents. Processing starts only after uploads are complete.
- Step 7: Track your CDC. After approval it is dispatched by Speed Post and you receive a tracking number.
How Long Does It Take?
Published experiences vary. Approval is often reported within roughly a week or two, and postal delivery adds more days. Overall, plan for about one to two months and apply well before your joining date. Processing speed also differs between offices.
CDC Validity, Renewal and Duplicate
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| CDC validity | Generally 10 years from issue |
| Medical certificate validity | Generally 2 years for adults aged 18 to 65 (so it expires long before your CDC) |
| Renewal | On expiry or in the months before it (commonly cited as up to six months before expiry) |
| Lost or damaged CDC | Apply for a duplicate on the portal using your previous CDC number and service details. Corrections to printed data go to the Shipping Master Office of your MMD. |
| Pages full | A replacement is issued through the same process |
A CDC with an expired medical certificate is unusable for joining a ship, so track both dates.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Blurry or cropped scans | Scan in colour at good resolution; check every page is readable |
| Name spelling mismatch across documents | Match passport, Class 10 certificate and application exactly |
| Expired medical certificate | Check the expiry date before applying |
| Wrong office selected | Choose the MMD / Shipping Master Office you can realistically track |
| Paying before checking details | Re-read every field; a rejection means paying again |
Frequently Asked Questions
CDC stands for Continuous Discharge Certificate. It is the seafarer's identity and sea-service record issued by DG Shipping.
Yes. If you are 18 or older, have passed Class 10, hold a valid seafarer medical and have completed the required basic safety courses, you can apply. Many GP Rating students apply during training.
The fee is widely reported as ₹700, and the CDC is generally valid for 10 years. Always verify both on the DG Shipping portal.
In everyday usage, CDC and seaman's book mean the same document. It is not the same as the INDoS number, which is a database ID.
Apply for a duplicate CDC online with your previous CDC number and recent service history. Report the loss as required by the rules.
Conclusion
The CDC is one of the first and most important documents in your Merchant Navy career. Secure your INDoS number, medical and basic safety training, keep your documents consistent, apply early, and renew on time. Do this properly and nothing will delay your first sign-on.
Need guidance on your next step? MyMerchantNavy.com offers career and college guidance, IMU-CET and sponsorship preparation, mock tests and an AI career counsellor to help you plan your path to sea.
About MyMerchantNavy
My Merchant Navy is an AI-powered career platform dedicated to helping aspiring seafarers make informed decisions at every stage of their maritime journey. Our mission is to make Merchant Navy education more accessible through technology, expert guidance and comprehensive resources, so that every aspirant can confidently pursue a career at sea.
On MyMerchantNavy.com you can find career and college guidance, IMU-CET and sponsorship preparation, a medical eligibility checker, sample papers, mock tests, an AI career counsellor, and company and salary insights. Our content is reviewed against the latest DG Shipping circulars before publishing and rechecked whenever rules change.
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